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What does ‘no ranging response received – t3 time-out’ mean?

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  • 4 min read

Having a stable internet connection, especially if you’re over WiFi or ethernet is an absolute must these days. While most ISPs do provide a stable connection more often than not, problems can show up from time to time either on the equipment you’re using or from your ISP’s end. 

In this article, we’re taking a look at Xfinity modems showing the ‘no ranging response received – t3 time-out’ error, its causes and what you can do to fix the problem.


What causes this error?

The error can be caused by several different problems. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Using too many splitters.
  • Router issues.
  • Damaged cables.
  • Weak signals (or lack of a forward and return path amplifier)

Also read: Why is my Xfinity router blinking orange? 6 Fixes


How to fix this?

You can try the following six fixes.

Restart the router

One of the first things you should do is try and restart your router. Restarting internet devices can fix seemingly random issues that cause connectivity problems, including any timeout issues. Just turn off your router (and modem) and wait for a few minutes before turning it back on again. 


Check the cables

The next thing to do is check to see if the splitter, the incoming WAN cable and any other inbound connections to your router are intact. Regular wear and tear can damage the cable carrying WAN signals to your router causing internet issues. 

If you see any damage to any inbound connections, including any cuts and breaks, reach out to your ISP for support and get them to fix the cables. 

Also read: What is fast roaming on Orbi? 


Check the splitter

Xfinity will usually install a splitter alongside your internet connection that ‘splits’ the connection into WiFi, TV and phone. If there’s a problem with this splitter, it can impact the inbound internet signals to your router.

Check to see if the splitter is functioning properly and now showing signs of defects, including overheating and mechanical damage. Additionally, make sure you’re not using too many splitters or adaptors as they can degrade the signal quality. 


Check for outages

Outages from your ISP’s end can also cause orange lights on your router. Check out the Xfinity service outage page to see if your area is experiencing issues. If you are facing issues, you can contact Xfinity to find out how long it’ll take for services to resume. 


Hardware failure in the router or modem

If a part inside your router or modem fails and doesn’t work anymore, it won’t be able to connect to the internet and throw timeout errors your way. The best way to confirm this is to either check the Xfinity app, which will tell you the exact cause of the issue or contact Xfinity support to have a look at the router or modem. 

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Contact Xfinity support

Finally, if nothing else works, you’re going to have to reach out to Xfinity support and have them either assist you remotely or send a technician over to your house to diagnose and fix the problem. There’s a good chance that the issue actually persists in your router and a replacement from the ISP would be able to fix the problem. 

Also read: What is the script to restart Plex media server?

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Yadullah Abidi

Yadullah is a Computer Science graduate who writes/edits/shoots/codes all things cybersecurity, gaming, and tech hardware. When he's not, he streams himself racing virtual cars. He's been writing and reporting on tech and cybersecurity with websites like Candid.Technology and MakeUseOf since 2018. You can contact him here: yadullahabidi@pm.me.

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