Troubleshooting Your RCA DCM

 

The RCA DCM-series cable modem has five LED lights on the front indicating the network status. The lights will blink while the modem is finding a connection to our network, with more lights blinking as the connection process continues, until all five lights are blinking. Once the modem is connected to the internet, the individual lights then indicate the modem status:

 

• Power
  While the modem is attempting to find a connection, the power light will blink. If the power light continues to blink without any other lights starting to blink, your modem is not associated with your internet service. You will need to call our technical support department at 1-888-222-5314 to make sure your account is active and your modem is registered with our system. Once the modem has a connection, the power light should be solid.
  
  
• PC Link
  If the PC link light blinks together with the power light, your modem is connecting to the network. If they continue to blink without any other lights starting to blink, there is no connection to the internet. Check the cable line that screws into the back of the modem and make sure it is secure. If necessary, bypass any splitter and run the cable directly from the outlet to the modem. Once your modem has a connection to the internet, the PC light will be blinking or solid when your modem is connected to your computer, or your router if you are using one.
  
  
• Cable
  If the cable light blinks together with the power and PC link lights, your modem has found a connection to the network and is establishing that connection. If they continue to blink without any other lights starting to blink, the signal is not stable enough for the modem to hold a connection. Check the cable line to the modem, and if necessary, bypass any splitter on the line. Once your modem has a connection to the internet, the cable light should be solid.
  
  
• Activity
  If the activity light blinks together with the power, PC link and cable lights, your modem is securing a connection to the network that can be used to access the internet. Once your modem has a connection to the internet, the activity light will blink to show current internet activity from your computer or home network.
  
  
• Email
  If the email light blinks together with the power, PC link, cable and activity lights, your modem is finalizing its connection to the network. Once it is complete, the lights will stop blinking and each will show their current status. The email light is not used with our network, and once your modem is online, can be ignored.

If your modem is unable to get online, you will want to reset it. Remove the power cord from the back of the modem, and let it sit without power for at least 30 seconds. Then restore power to the modem and determine if it can get online. If the modem cannot connect to the internet, please call our technical support department at 1-888-222-5314 so we can determine if a service call is required.

 

Your RCA modem has a button labeled ON/OFF. This button does not reset the modem, but places it in standby mode. If the power cord is connected to the modem, but all lights are off, you can press the ON/OFF button to take the modem out of standby mode.

 

If you have a router, you will want to disconnect power to the router while the modem is unplugged, and leave the router without power while the modem is getting connected to the internet. Once the cable light is solid, you can restore power to the router, and the PC link light on the modem should turn on solid or blinking.

 

For more information about the RCA DCM, see the manufacturer's User's Guide .

 

Still have questions? Please contact us at 1-888-222-5314.