4 votes

A Helicopter In My Cable Modem

Posted by BeanBurrito

I bought a cable modem off of eBay. I have contacted the seller.

When I turn it on it sounds like I am listening to a helicopter at low volume. Thumping noises.

I DDGed. It isn't electronic interference. It is on the same spot of my desk that my old cable modem was on.

I'm not sure I can open it or not, but the case has many holes. I may try running the hose attachment from my vacuum cleaner over it to try to get dust out.

Anything else I can try?

10 comments

  1. [7]
    dreamless_patio
    Link
    Sounds like the fan has mechanically failed or is close to it. Unless you're up to the task of opening and replacing the fan, I'd work with the seller to get a replacement or refund. Otherwise, I...

    Sounds like the fan has mechanically failed or is close to it. Unless you're up to the task of opening and replacing the fan, I'd work with the seller to get a replacement or refund.

    Otherwise, I would recommend cans of compressed air or an ESD safe blower. Vacuums can cause huge amounts of static buildup that may damage sensitive components.

    Depending on your ISP, I have an old/unused but perfectly serviceable Arris modem I can send you free of charge. I will check the model later today if you're interested.

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      dangeresque
      Link Parent
      Your assessment sounds reasonable, but I can't say I've ever seen a residential cable modem that had a fan or any other moving parts.

      Your assessment sounds reasonable, but I can't say I've ever seen a residential cable modem that had a fan or any other moving parts.

      1 vote
      1. dreamless_patio
        Link Parent
        Yes good point, I looked at the datasheet and it makes no mention of a fan. I can't imagine anything else would be causing noise like a helicopter though. Very strange.

        Yes good point, I looked at the datasheet and it makes no mention of a fan. I can't imagine anything else would be causing noise like a helicopter though. Very strange.

        1 vote
    2. [2]
      BeanBurrito
      Link Parent
      I have an Arris modem too! lol Does yours have at least 3 jacks? Thanks for the useful suggestion about compressed air. If the seller tells me to go fish I will certainly try it.

      I have an Arris modem too! lol

      Does yours have at least 3 jacks?

      Thanks for the useful suggestion about compressed air. If the seller tells me to go fish I will certainly try it.

      1. dreamless_patio
        Link Parent
        It is literally just the cable modem, not an integrated modem/router. Not sure if that would be helpful for your situation.

        It is literally just the cable modem, not an integrated modem/router. Not sure if that would be helpful for your situation.

        2 votes
    3. [2]
      chocobean
      Link Parent
      Quick product search and holy moly are they really several hundred bucks? I just want a compressed air alternative that I can recharge or plug in

      ESD safe blower

      Quick product search and holy moly are they really several hundred bucks? I just want a compressed air alternative that I can recharge or plug in

  2. [3]
    dangeresque
    Link
    What is the make and model?

    What is the make and model?

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      BeanBurrito
      Link Parent
      Netgear AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router C7000v2

      Netgear
      AC1900 WiFi Cable Modem Router
      C7000v2

      1. dangeresque
        Link Parent
        Yeah, I'd highly doubt that there's a fan or any moving parts in there. I also doubt that it has anything to do with any external radio interference. I'd lean more towards there's just a noisy...

        Yeah, I'd highly doubt that there's a fan or any moving parts in there. I also doubt that it has anything to do with any external radio interference. I'd lean more towards there's just a noisy coil or chip, possibly caused by a failing capacitor or something, or maybe that's just ThE wAy iT iS. Maybe you can try replacing the power supply, but I wouldn't have high hopes for that either. Out of curiosity, I'd see if a few devices pulling heavy downloads through it causes the noise to change any. Maybe play with settings to turn Wi-Fi radios on and off to see if that affects things any.

        But I don't think there's likely a good fix even if you're skilled with a soldering iron. There are a couple posts on the Internets talking about noise coming from that model, but nobody with a resolution. Since you bought it secondhand, I'm assuming it's out of warranty. If you can put it in a heavy (but still ventilated) cabinet, that might dampen the noise, but would also dampen the Wi-Fi signal a bit.

        2 votes