Dial-Up Random Disconnects

If you are experiencing random dial-up disconnects, the following solutions below may assist in getting your situation resolved.

Check Dial-Up Connection Solutions

First, visit Dial-Up Connection Solutions to assure that the connection is not hardware or network related.

Check E-mail Client

If  you lose connection each time you check your e-mail, your e-mail program (more commonly Outlook and Eudora) may be set to automatically hang up from the Internet after it has finished downloading messages. Consult your e-mail program's support site to see how you can disable the "Hang up when finished" option. 

Check Web Browser or Internet Options Settings

Your web browser may be configured to disconnect you from your dial-up connection after a certain period of time (i.e. idling, disconnecting when the connection is no longer needed). Follow these simple steps to assure that this is not the case (NOTE: This is not recommended for those who are not subscribed to an unlimited dial-up service.)

Internet Explorer (7 or later)

1. Click the Tools icons and then Internet Options.
2. Select the Connections tab.
3. Select the name of your dial-up connection. Click Settings.
4. Click Properties. Select the Options tab.
5. Where it says Idle time before hanging up:, select never. Click OK.
6. Select Advanced. 
7. Uncheck Disconnect when connection may no longer be needed. Click OK.

Important: No other browser contain these configuration setting options. You would have to go through  Internet Options (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac OS X) to make these changes.

Check Phone Features

If you have call waiting enabled, your connection may get disconnected if someone calls. Disable your call waiting feature while you are online. Visit Disable Call Waiting if you are subscribed to our Internet Call Waiting service. Otherwise, click on the link associated with your computer's software below for further instructions:

• Windows Vista/7
• Windows XP
• Mac OS X

Prevent Line Noise

Line noise is interference on your phone line. There is a certain amount of line noise that is normal. When it reaches those abnormal levels is when you begin to have dial-up connection issues. There are many causes of line noise, such as:

• Moisture in the phone lines due to weather conditions
• Phone cords near electronics that produce electrical interference (e.g. radios, speakers, power supplies, etc.)
• Damaged or lengthy phone cords
• Old or low quality phone lines

To prevent as much line noise as possible, assure that your phone line and phone cords are in safe and low traffic areas. Low traffic areas refer to areas that you or your family don't frequently walk through and has the minimum amount of electronics in it.