How to See DOCSIS Signal Levels

Arris (Touchstone) Cable Modems

• 1). Open a browser. Type "192.168.100.1" in your address bar and press "Enter."
  
  
• 2). Click the "Status" tab at the top to display connectivity statistics.
  
  
• 3). Look at the numbers next to "Signal to Noise Ratio." This represents the overall clarity of your signal. While the acceptable DOCSIS specifications of this number will vary based on your service type, this number should typically be above "30dB."
  
  
• 4). Locate the "Upstream Freq/Power" section. This is the power level of the signal information leaving your modem. Numbers above 53dB indicate a weak upstream signal and numbers below 53dB indicate an acceptable signal. Lower numbers mean you are sending a signal to your provider with little noise or resistance.
  
  
• 5). Close the browser to close the Arris Status page.
  
  

Motorola Cable Modems

• 1). Open a browser. Type "192.168.100.1" in the address bar and press "Enter."
  
  
• 2). Click the "Signal" tab at the top. This displays a signal table at the center of your screen.
  
  
• 3). Look at the numbers next to "Signal to Noise Ratio." This represents the overall clarity of your signal. While the acceptable DOCSIS specifications of this number will vary based on your service type, this number should typically be above "30dB."
  
  
• 4). Locate the "Downstream Power Level." While the optimal number is "0dB," anything between "-15dB" and "+15dB" falls within DOCSIS specifications for most service types.
  
  
• 5). Look at the "Upstream Power Level." This is the power level of the signal information leaving your modem. Numbers above 53dB indicate a weak upstream signal, and numbers below 53dB indicate an acceptable signal. Lower numbers mean you are sending a signal to your provider with little noise or resistance.
  
  
• 6). Close your browser to close the Motorola Status page.
  
  

Ubee (Ambit) Cable Modems

• 1). Open a browser. In its address bar, type "192.168.0.1" and press "Enter."
  
  
• 2). Type the word "user" in both the "User name" and "Password" fields and press "OK."
  
  
• 3). Click the "Downstream" link on the left. This displays a Cable Modem Downstream page.
  
  
• 4). Look at the "Downstream SNR" value. This represents the overall clarity of your signal. While the acceptable DOCSIS specifications of this number will vary based on your service type, this number should typically be above "30dB."
  
  
• 5). Locate the value next to "Downstream Receive Power Level." While the optimal number is "0dB," anything between "-15dB" and "+15dB" falls within DOCSIS specifications for most service types.
  
  
• 6). Click the "Upstream" link on the left. This displays a Cable Modem Upstream page.
  
  
• 7). Look at the value beside "Upstream Transmit Power Level." This is the power level of the signal information leaving your modem. Numbers above 53dB indicate a weak upstream signal and numbers below 53dB indicate an acceptable signal. Lower numbers mean you are sending a signal to your provider with little noise or resistance.
  
  
• 8). Close the browser to close the Arris Cable Modem page.
  
  

Other DOCSIS Modems

• 1). Open a browser. Type your modem’s IP address in the address bar and press “Enter.” While the IP address of many cable modems is “192.168.100.1,” it can vary depending on brand. If you are unsure of your modem’s IP address, you can quickly obtain it from the Windows Command Prompt.
  
  
• 2). Look for a “Signal,” “Status,” “Connection” or similarly worded link on the modem’s interface. Clicking this link will display connection-related statistics. The type, amount and wording of the statistics will vary from modem to modem. In some cases, not all signal-related statistics will be shown.
  
  
• 3). Locate “SNR” under a “Downstream” or “Downlink” section. This represents the overall clarity of your signal. While the acceptable DOCSIS specifications of this number will vary based on your service type, this number should typically be above "30dB."
  
  
• 4). Find “Power Level” in the “Downstream” or “Downlink” section. While the optimal number is "0dB," anything between "-15dB" and "+15dB" falls within DOCSIS specifications for most service types.
  
  
• 5). Look for “Power Level” in the “Upstream” or “Uplink” section. This is the power level of the signal information leaving your modem. Numbers above 53dB indicate a weak upstream signal and numbers below 53dB indicate an acceptable signal. Lower numbers mean you are sending a signal to your provider with little noise or resistance.
  
  
• 6). Close the browser to close the modem’s Status page.
  
  

Obtain Modem IP

• 1). Ensure the modem is connected directly to your computer. If the modem is currently connected to a router, disconnect the Ethernet cord from the router and plug it in the Ethernet port on the back of your computer.
  
  
• 2). Press the “Windows” and “R” keys simultaneously. Type “Tracert www.google.com” in the Run field and press “Enter.” This opens a command prompt window running the Tracert command.
  
  
• 3). Look next to line “1.” The IP address listed to the far right is your modem’s IP address.