FAQ: Refurbished Modems, Shipping, Returns & Warranty

Tested Grade A refurbished and renewed networking equipment: cable modems, DSL and fiber gateways, modem router combos, WiFi routers, mesh systems, range extenders, and access points from brands like Arris, Motorola, Netgear, TP-Link, Hitron, Zyxel, and Actiontec. Browse the full catalog.

Yes. A modem has no moving parts and no battery, so a properly tested unit performs the same as a new one. Every device we sell is tested, factory reset, and cleaned in the US, then covered by the same 90-day warranty as new equipment.

Grade A is our top grade: the unit passed every functional test, has no cracks or heavy wear, and has been released from any previous account so it activates cleanly. Units that do not meet that bar are listed under a lower grade with the condition described. The grade appears on every product page.

Refurbished and Renewed describe the same process: tested, reset, and cleaned by us. New - Open Box is an unused unit whose original packaging was opened. Used - Like New shows minimal wear. Used - Very Good, Good, and Acceptable are fully working units with more visible wear, described on the listing.

We are a small family-run shop in Montana, operating as Archer Networks LLC since 2015. Orders ship from US fulfillment centers, and support is handled in-house by our US-based team. Meet us on the About page.

Those listings are Amazon affiliate links to products we do not stock in-house. Amazon or the listed seller handles fulfillment, condition, returns, and warranty for those items. Everything sold directly by ModemGuides ships with our own warranty and support.

Our only website is modemguides.com, and we only take payment through the secure checkout on this site. We never ask for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. If a site or message using our name seems off, contact us and we will confirm whether it is ours.

ModemGuides.com participates in several affiliate programs, including Amazon. We may earn a commission when you buy through affiliate links on our site at no extra cost to you. This does not change the price you pay or the products we recommend.

Yes. Orders of $49 or more ship free within the US, applied automatically at checkout with no code needed. Shipping on smaller orders is calculated at checkout.

Orders are processed within 1 to 2 business days and ship from the US fulfillment center closest to you. Most arrive within 3 to 5 business days after shipping. You will get a shipping confirmation email with a tracking number as soon as your order is on the way.

No. We ship within the United States only, including PO boxes and APO/FPO addresses where carrier service is available.

Only the shipping methods shown at checkout are available. Because orders ship from partner warehouses, we cannot add overnight service.

Use the tracking number in your shipping confirmation email, or log in to your account and open the order from your Orders page.

You can cancel within 1 hour of placing an order from your confirmation email or your account's Orders page. After that, email support@modemguides.com right away: if the order has not shipped, we cancel and refund it in full. Once it ships, it falls under the return policy.

Contact us as soon as possible with your order number and a photo if you have one. We arrange the return at no cost to you and send a replacement or refund promptly. We know staying connected is time sensitive, so replacements are prioritized.

Check the tracking link first, since carriers sometimes update late. If the package is marked delivered but is missing, or tracking has not moved for several days, contact us and we will work with the carrier to resolve it.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. The item must be the same device we shipped, with all accessories, in the same cosmetic and working condition to qualify for a full refund. Full details are in our refund policy.

Log in to your account, open the order on your Orders page, and request the return there, or email support@modemguides.com with your order number and reason. We will send return instructions. Please wait for those before shipping anything back.

Refunds go to your original payment method. Please allow up to 15 days after we receive your return for the refund to be issued; your bank may take a few more days to post it.

Yes. If you activated the device with your provider, remove it from your ISP account before sending it back. This is usually a quick step in the provider's app or account portal, and it keeps the return fully eligible. Not sure how? Contact us and we will walk you through it for your provider.

The fastest option is to return the original for a refund and place a new order for the item you want.

Every device sold by ModemGuides is covered for 90 days from delivery against defects and failures. If it stops working inside that window, contact us and we will troubleshoot, then replace or refund if needed. We usually send a replacement rather than asking you to wait on a repair.

Compatibility is handled by our activation guarantee and return policy; the warranty covers the device itself failing. If a modem listed as compatible with your provider will not activate, contact us and we will make it right.

Email support@modemguides.com with your order number and a short description of the problem. We will run through a few quick checks with you and, if the device is at fault, arrange a replacement.

Shop by provider: each collection lists devices approved for that ISP, and every product page names the providers and speed tiers it supports. Before ordering, confirm the model on your provider's approved device list for your plan.

Yes. Spectrum activates customer-owned modems from its approved list on standard internet plans. Shop Spectrum compatible modems or check our Spectrum approved modem list. Spectrum ends support for DOCSIS 3.0 modems after October 28, 2026, so any new purchase should be DOCSIS 3.1.

Yes. Xfinity supports customer-owned modems on nearly all internet plans, which removes the gateway rental fee. The modem must be on Xfinity's approved list for your speed tier. Our Xfinity approved modem list shows which models fit each tier.

Yes, on internet-only plans. Most cable providers publish an approved modem list, and we group our cable modems by provider so you can browse verified models. Cable voice (phone) plans usually require the provider's own equipment.

DSL providers approve specific gateway models for their line type, and the right one depends on your area and plan. Browse our DSL modems by provider, then confirm the model with your ISP before ordering.

Verizon Fios customers can use a router from our Verizon Fios collection, since the ONT on your wall replaces a modem. AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber generally require their own gateway, but you can connect your own router or mesh system behind it for better WiFi.

If you buy a modem listed as compatible with your provider and it will not activate, contact us. We will help troubleshoot, and if it still cannot be activated, we cover return shipping and issue a full refund or replacement. The guarantee applies to supported modem models sold by ModemGuides.

Connect the coax cable and power, wait 5 to 10 minutes for the lights to settle, then activate through your provider's self-install page or app, or call and give them the MAC address printed on the label. Our Spectrum activation guide walks through the process.

Confirm the model is on your provider's approved list for your plan, make sure the old device has been removed from your account, and try the self-install page or a support call with the MAC address. If it still will not activate, contact us and the activation guarantee applies.

No. Every unit we sell is released from prior accounts before it ships. Private sellers usually skip that step, and it is the most common reason a used modem fails to activate.

Cable modems are not locked to a provider, but each ISP approves specific models. If the model appears on your new provider's list, it will activate there.

Usually not. Cable voice service needs a voice-capable modem (eMTA) approved by your provider, and most providers require their own equipment for it. Some customers move to a VoIP service so they can own their modem on an internet-only plan.

A modem connects your home to your provider's network. A router creates your WiFi and wired network. A gateway, also called a modem router combo, does both in one box.

Yes, unless you buy a modem router combo. A standalone modem does not broadcast WiFi, so pair it with a wireless router or mesh system, or choose a combo.

Yes. Turn on bridge mode in the combo's admin settings, which disables its built-in WiFi, then plug your router into a LAN port. Some provider firmware limits bridge mode, so check the product page or ask us first.

DOCSIS 3.1 supports gigabit and multi-gig plans with lower latency, and it is backward compatible with 3.0 networks. Providers are retiring 3.0: Spectrum ends support after October 28, 2026, and Xfinity has been removing older 3.0 models from its list. For a new purchase, choose from our DOCSIS 3.1 collection.

For most people, no. Retail DOCSIS 4.0 modems are only starting to appear, and most cable networks are still built around 3.1. A DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5 Gigabit port covers every current cable plan and keeps working as networks upgrade.

Match the modem to your plan tier on your provider's list. Any approved DOCSIS 3.1 modem handles plans up to 1 Gbps; plans above 1 Gbps need a modem with a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port. See our best DOCSIS 3.1 modems roundup.

WiFi 5 is fine for smaller homes on plans under 500 Mbps. WiFi 6 handles more devices at once and suits most households on gigabit plans. WiFi 7 only pays off with a multi-gig plan and WiFi 7 devices. Browse WiFi 6 routers.

An extender is the cheapest fix for one weak room and keeps your current router. A mesh system replaces the router with two or more units that cover the whole house on one network, which is the better choice for larger homes or several dead zones.

Each product page has a What's in the Box list. Typically that is the device, a power adapter, and an Ethernet cable. Coax cables and phone-line cords are usually supplied by your provider and are not included unless listed.

Most modems give five years or more of service. Routers tend to be replaced sooner because WiFi standards move faster. Signs it is time: frequent reboots, dropped connections, or a model removed from your provider's approved list. Read how long modems last.

Yes. We aim to be the lowest price and will match major official retailers such as Amazon.com and Best Buy on the same model and condition. Email us the link before you order.

We run a few sales a year, plus an ongoing bulk discount: buy 10 or more items and 10% comes off automatically at checkout. Newsletter subscribers hear about sales first.

Yes. Buy 10 or more items and 10% off is applied automatically at checkout, no code needed. Browse the Bulk Sale collection, or contact us about larger orders.

Yes. We supply modems, routers, and mesh systems to small businesses, IT providers, and property managers. See Routers for Business or contact us for a quote.

Yes. Store credit is accepted at checkout alongside the standard payment options shown there.

Email support@modemguides.com or use the contact form. Our small US-based team replies within one business day, Monday through Friday. Support is email-based; we do not have a phone line.

Yes. Write to us with your provider and model and we will walk you through it. Our free guides also cover activation, router login, WiFi passwords, mesh setup, and common connection problems.

During the first 5 to 10 minutes after power-up, yes. After that, the Online light should be solid. If it keeps blinking, check the coax connection, confirm activation finished with your provider, and see our troubleshooting guides for your model's light codes.

Open your router's admin address (printed on its label, often 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) in a browser and sign in with the label credentials. Our guide on changing your WiFi password lists the menu path for every major brand and ISP gateway.

Every week or two. A restart clears memory and lets updates apply, and in 2026 the NSA recommended weekly reboots for home routers. Unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. Read what the NSA warning means.

Our blog has free step-by-step guides covering approved modem lists, activation, light codes, router settings, DNS, mesh setup, and common connection problems. New guides are published every week.

See our privacy policy for how order and account information is used. We never sell your personal data.