Troubleshooting
It can be very frustrating when a modem does not function as expected. However, follow these simple guidelines to determine whether the modem is really broken or something else is the culprit.
| Possible Cause | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| New hardware was added to the computer and now the modem doesn't work. | Check for IRQ and/or I/O conflicts. |
| New software was added to the computer and now the modem doesn't work. | Check for IRQ and/or I/O conflicts. Cards that were configured for software can be inadvertently changed by corrupted software or by the installation of new software. |
| The software says there is no modem. | Make sure the software is looking at the correct port. Reconfigure or reinstall the software (there might be a corrupt driver). |
| Modem works sporadically. | Try another modem type. Check the phone lines. |
| Modem does not hang up the phone line. | A power surge (lightning) can cause this problem. If manual disconnect and reconnect allows the modem to work, replace or repair the modem. |