bajanjack's profile

Visitor

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20 Messages

Friday, July 28th, 2023 12:35 PM

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Installing new modem without WiFi

I will be receiving a new modem soon, to replace my existing one. I intend to use the Xfinity app to install it. When I power off my router and lose the WiFi will I be able to use the cellular signal to complete the install? - or will I have to connect the modem to my laptop?

Official Employee

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1.4K Messages

1 year ago

@bajanjack 

Great question, your smart phone would run off your data plan when its not connected the Wi-Fi, you can also see about using our awesome xfinity hot spots for a Wi-Fi connection, download our amazing xfinity Wi-Fi hotpot locator app to find the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot.

 

Visitor

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20 Messages

@XfinityOrlandoM​ Thank you for the fast response. So just to clarify- it seems counter intuitive but when I power up the new modem, while off WiFi and on a cellular signal, the app will recognize the modem on my network?

Official Employee

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1K Messages

When you power up the modem, you will go to your Wi-Fi settings on your phone, and connect to the default Wi-Fi name and password. Once you do that, you go into the Xfinity app to finish setting up the modem.

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Visitor

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20 Messages

Billy- sorry to beat this to death- but my understanding from online instructions is that I have to power off my router, power off and remove the old modem, and power on the new modem without powering the router back on initially- so I won’t have WiFi at the beginning- can you explain further?

Official Employee

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1K Messages

No worries! Here is a great article explaining how to activate the new modem once you get it. https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xfinity-app-activation

I am an Official Xfinity Employee.
Official Employees are from multiple teams within Xfinity: CARE, Product, Leadership.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.
Was your question answered? Please, mark a reply as the Accepted Answer.tick

Visitor

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20 Messages

Perfect. That helps. Thank you!

Visitor

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9 Messages

1 year ago

I've done this several times; you should do all of the provisioning in the app with your phone on the cellular network. Don't even connect to WiFi until you're done with the setup process.

Visitor

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20 Messages

@user_pmr207​ helpful to me- thank you!

Visitor

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20 Messages

@user_pmr207​ Just installed my new replacement modem. Exactly what you said! Thank you!

Problem Solver

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1.5K Messages

1 year ago

When  you get the new one, hook up the coax and plug it in.  Wait a while for it to fully connect.

On the sticker on the new one, there is likely a "default wifi key" you can use to connect to the device with WiFi.    You'll need the MAC address and CM MAC on that sticker too when you activate, so write those down too.   

Is the app going to work then after you connect with your phone?  Yeah, I dunno.  If it doesn't, there is also a "captive portal".  You could try activating with a web browser on your phone.  Try navigating anywhere while connected to the WiFi on the new gateway.  google, any website, doesn't matter.  It should re-direct you to a login and activation page.  It may look like it's just hanging for a while, be patient on that.  That redirect may take a minute or longer.  That also may or may not work with your phone's browser.

You can also try it with a PC/Laptop too.  You might have better luck connected either by Ethernet or WiFi from a normal web browser with the captive browser method.  If it still doesn't work, then you may be kinda stuck.  Plug the old one in, and it's 1-800-comcast by phone.  There used to be a direct activation number, but I don't know if it's active.  They don't share it in an obvious place.

Perhaps they can activate the new ones MAC/CM-MAC while you are talking without murdering the old one immediately, then you can just swap later.  Or maybe they'll have you plug the old one in, get to cell range and then try to active over the phone from somewhere else.  

Visitor

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20 Messages

@flatlander3​ thanks

Expert

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107.1K Messages

1 year ago

@bajanjack 

Their self-install device activation line: 1-855-652-3446. It still works here.

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