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GuitarHistorian
1st Topic

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9 Messages

Saturday, April 16th, 2022 3:38 AM

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Internet dropping issues - will Xfinity install an active amplifier?

Greetings,

We have been having the dreaded “internet drop” problem again, which seems to return every several months after we go through a hair pulling exercise with technicians. 

I did some research and it turns out that an active amplifier is supposed to help with the high upstream problems that I am seeing in our numbers. Picture is linked below. 

Would an Xfinity tech install one of these outside of the house? In my neighborhood, the telephone poles are behind our houses in a common driveway and it appears that the splitters are about 20 feet up on the poles and there are a mess of wires. I would not even attempt to figure out that rats nest. 

It seems kind of odd that in all of the forums here I have never come across this fix, but many people on YouTube have installed these to great success. Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts on these devices and whether I can install them myself, please let me know. 

Thanks,
jason. 

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3 years ago

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EG

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108K Messages

3 years ago

If a tech can not get that high upstream power back down to being within specs using the proper methods for improving the line connection quality, then yes. They can install a drop amplifier that has an active return as a band-aid fix. You can also purchase and install one yourself and see. YMMV.

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GuitarHistorian

Visitor

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@EG​ problem is, I have no idea where to install it. Outside the house the cables go out to a utility pole that is behind my yard (NE Philly) and there are a number of connections up there. I don’t have boxes outside my house that I’m aware of. Inside the house there is just one 3 way splitter. But I don’t see where I would install it myself and I don’t want to mess with the pole as there’s no way I would know what I’m plugging and unplugging. 

3 years ago

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GuitarHistorian

Visitor

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@EG​ this is a splitter inside the house and the only place I can get to that seems like it would be a candidate for the amplifier. The ones I am seeing on Amazon are made by same company. 

3 years ago

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EG

Expert

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108K Messages

You would use it as a *powered* splitter rather than that *passive* splitter in the pic. Get one with the number of ports that you need, and consider any possible future needs;

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=drop+amplifier+active+return 

I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

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3 years ago

GuitarHistorian

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9 Messages

Thank you! Massive help. 

3 years ago

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EG

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108K Messages

My pleasure ! Good luck ! Please post back with how things go.

(edited)

I am not a Comcast Employee.
I am a Customer Expert volunteering my time to help other customers here in the Forums.
We ask that you post publicly so people with similar questions may benefit from the conversation.

Was your question answered? Please mark an Accepted Answer!tick

3 years ago

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EG

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108K Messages

3 years ago

Better ! Live with it a while now and see.

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GuitarHistorian

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@EG

Last night we had a great night with no issues but today it seems to be faltering a bit.  As you can see, the upstream power is getting up there on the last channel, which is strange because it was the other way around before.  The downstream numbers are holding pretty nicely.  But I did have a drop off of internet today after I got home from work and it didn't come back on.... after about 5 minutes, I had to reboot the router.  

Last night, I noticed that the "correctable/uncorrectable codewords" were 0 or very low but today they seem to be creeping up.  This scan was taken only about 15 minutes after rebooting the modem.  I know that the upstream numbers are definitely better than they were before the drop amp but the internet dropping out and the numbers creeping up concern me.  I have no idea if the codewords are a good/bad thing.

3 years ago

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XfinityNicolas

Official Employee

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1.1K Messages

Hey @GuitarHistorian, thank you for reaching out on our forums about the drops. EG did give some really good information. The signal levels appear to be in spec in the photo. Since you still experienced some drops, what I can do is check the signal levels for a longer time frame and the network performance in your area. So I can, could you send us a direct message? 

To send a direct message:

Click "Sign In" if necessary

• Click the "Direct messaging" icon near the top right of the page

• Click the "New message" (pencil and paper) icon

• Type "Xfinity Support" in the "To:" line and select "Xfinity Support" from the drop-down list which appears. The "Xfinity Support" graphic replaces the "To:" line

• Type your message in the text area near the bottom of the window

• Press Enter to send it

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.
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3 years ago

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