Time Capsule and modem stop working after two hours

Question

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Time Capsule and modem stop working after two hours

Hello,

- Got the green light solid on Time Capsule.

- All lights are functioning on my Netgear CM500 modem.

- Ethernet cable firmly in place.

- Power up, both units work perfectly and function normally.

- After about 2 hours, internet connection is lost. All lights are still fully green on both units.

- Unplug both units, wait 5 minutes, then power-up again. Internet usage is restored.

- After about 2 hours, internet connection is lost again.

Had Cox over here, guy said everything was fine on their end. I believe something is wrong with my Airport setup because I set it up on an outdated iMac. If that's the case, I'd like to start completely from scratch, unless I don't have to(?) My new iMac is here.

Thanks in advance,

-Chris

iMac with Retina 5K display, Mac OS X (10.1.x)

Posted on Feb 17, 2016 10:34 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 17, 2016 6:36 PM in response to foremancj

This is a problem with the AC model TC. We do not know the cause but it simply has issues with a number of different cable modems. (some others are also affected but cable seems the principle problem).

What happens is the WAN port stops talking to the modem.

There is nothing you can do.. neither unit is faulty.. they are just not happy chappies when together.

The solution is to replace one or the other..

Around here people seem to think replacing the modem a better idea.. the zoom model seems to work well.. but check with Cox it is in their list of supported modems.

Zoom modem.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7360161

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/7427491

IMHO it is better to replace the router function of the TC.. so a cheap router like TP-Link WR1043ND v2 (<$50 on Amazon) and flash to gargoyle firmware. This includes loads of great functionality. The TC then bridged to this unit for wireless and backup.

Either method is going to get you to a better place.

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Answer 2

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 17, 2016 7:10 PM in response to LaPastenague

That's exactly what's happening: both units are functioning properly, but Time Capsule stopped accepting what the modem was pumping out. I think I'm going to grab this Cox-approved Zoom:

Zoom 5341J

Thanks!

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Answer 3

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Feb 29, 2016 1:28 PM in response to foremancj

Well that didn't work either. Different modem, same results: boot up both units, works fine for 2 hours, then modem stops talking to Time Capsule. I am now using the Zoom 5341J modem.

Just about ready to send back Time Capsule. What a waste of time.

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Answer 4

Mar 2, 2016 6:14 PM in response to foremancj

Since the TC has failed on the known working modem.. yes, it should go back for replacement.

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Answer 5

Mar 2, 2016 9:51 AM in response to foremancj

My Time Capsule yesterday started to loose connection with the Thomson THG571 modem exactly 2 hours after powering up both. I hope this will be only a temporary issue.

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Answer 6

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 2, 2016 6:13 PM in response to AndreasSt

OK here we go: I was on the phone with Apple today, and talked to someone who actually solved the problem. Well, so far!

I'm not a computer whiz but basically Cox Cable has not fully converted to IPv6 data. Cox is sending IPv4 data to Time Capsule, and Time Capsule seems to be built around IPv6 data. So even though your modem's lights are fully functioning, and Time Capsule's light is solid green, the two units at some point become incapable of interfacing with each other because the modem is sending IPv4 data and Time Capsule is looking for IPv6.

Dozens of times over the past 2 weeks in Airport Utility, both lights next to both units would be solid green, then randomly and suddenly the light next to Internet would turn yellow, with the text indicating the modem was disconnected. The light for Time Capsule would stay solid green, and when looking at the physical modem, all lights were normal.

To solve this, the guy at Apple told me to go into Airport Utility and click on Time Capsule. From there, click EDIT. Then in the tabs at the top, click INTERNET. At the bottom of the window, click INTERNET OPTIONS. A pulldown menu appears that says CONFIGURE IPv6. Select LINK LOCAL ONLY.

In addition, someone posted you also need to change this setting in your Network utility. So far, everything has been working well, so until I lose my connection again I will leave this adjustment alone.

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Answer 7

Mar 12, 2016 6:24 AM in response to AndreasSt

Unfortunately my situation has gotten worse in the last few days. IPv6 was already set to "link local". The status LED of my Time Capsule remains green, when the Internet communication is lost. Interestingly the modem still responds to a ping to 192.168.100.1. To resolve the situation, I have to reboot the modem or disconnect the HFC cable for a few minutes. Rebooting the Time Capsule doesn't help. Anyway I had to replace my Time Capsule by another brand's router. The modem will by replaced by a newer cable router in the next few days. Hopefully the Time Capsule will at least work as an access-point.

A few years ago I've had similar issues with a TGH570 modem and a previous generation AirPort Extreme.

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Answer 8

Mar 19, 2016 8:12 AM in response to AndreasSt

It turns out that my connectivity issues are not related to the Time Capsule. The replacement router (Fritz Box 4020) also shows infrequent loss of communication to the modem. Either the cablemodem or the CMTS (-configuration) must be bad. Hopefully the ordered Technicolor TC7230 will do a better job than my previously used THG570 and THG571. By the way, my provider is Quickline (Switzerland).

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Answer 9

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 23, 2016 4:57 PM in response to AndreasSt

Last week I had to reboot the modem twice, but so far this week I haven't had to reboot at all. Good luck with your new modem!

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Answer 10

foremancj Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 10, 2016 7:26 PM in response to foremancj

Now my connection is dropping more than 5 times a day again. I've had it with Apple time Capsule and I've had it with Cox. I absolutely do not have the time to pursue answers to this issue. I am extremely upset with both companies. It should not be this hard.

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