A bad modem can severely restrict your internet surfing and online gaming experience. However, you cannot determine them just by looking at the specs. In most cases, they will look completely fine until you make the purchase.
If the modem starts throttling the internet speeds, shows increased jitters, and has high latency, it could be a faulty modem. That said, even your internet service provider can cause these issues and that’s why it is necessary to perform detailed diagnostics before blaming the internet equipment.
Thanks to the network security experts and forum users, who test a lot of internet equipment. It is because of them, that we’ve finally found out the bad modems that create many internet issues.
In some cases, the modem manufacturers have taken action on the issues and claim to have resolved the problems, but why risk it, when there are plenty of better modems available with newer technologies available.
Best Modems for Different Cable Internet Providers in the US
Contents
List Bad Modems To Avoid in 2022
Here is the complete list of faulty modems that we must refrain from. While the primary focus was on bad modems featuring the Puma 6 chipsets, we also included the ones with Intel Puma 7 CPUs.
- ARRIS CM3200
- ARRIS DG1660
- ARRIS DG1670
- ARRIS DG2460
- ARRIS DG2470
- ARRIS DG3260
- ARRIS DG3270
- ARRIS DG3450
- ARRIS SBG10
- ARRIS SB6190
- ARRIS SBG6950AC2
- ARRIS SBG7400AC2
- ARRIS SBG7580AC
- ARRIS SBG7600AC2
- ARRIS SBG8300
- ARRIS SBV2402
- ARRIS SBV3202
- ARRIS SVG2482AC
- ARRIS T25
- ARRIS TG1652
- ARRIS TG1662
- ARRIS TG1672
- ARRIS TG1682
- ARRIS TG2472
- ARRIS TG3452
- ARRIS TM1602
- ARRIS TM3402
- ASUS CM-32
- Hitron CDA3
- Hitron CDA3-35
- Hitron CGN3
- Hitron CGNM-2250
- Hitron (CGNM) CGNM-2252
- Hitron CGNVM-2559
- Hitron CGNM-3550
- Hitron CGNM-3552
- Hitron CGNVM-3580
- Hitron CGNVM-3582
- Hitron CGNVM-3589
- Hitron CODA-45
- Hitron CODA-4502
- Hitron CODA-4580
- Hitron CODA-4582
- Hitron CODA-4589
- Hitron CODA-46
- Hitron CODA-4602
- Hitron CODA-4680
- Hitron CODA-4682
- Hitron CODA-4689
- Hitron CODA-47
- Hitron CODA-4702
- Hitron CODA-4780
- Hitron CODA-4782
- Hitron CODA-4789
- Linksys CG6350
- Linksys CG7500
- Linksys CM3016
- Linksys CM3024
- NETGEAR C6300
- NETGEAR C6300v2
- NETGEAR C6300BD
- NETGEAR CBR40
- NETGEAR CM700
- Cisco DPC3848V
- Cisco DPC3941B / DPC3941T (commonly, Comcast Xfinity XB3)
- Cisco DPC3939
- TP-Link CR7000
- Compal CH7465-LG / Arris TG2492LG (commonly, Virgin Media Hub 3)
- Samsung Home Media Server
- Super Hub 3 (Arris TG2492LG) (commonly, Virgin Media)
- Telstra Gateway Max (Netgear AC1900 / C6300) (Australia)
How to Identify a Bad Modem?
Troubleshooting the modem can help you intercept the effectiveness of the same. There are quite a few techniques to check whether the modem is defective or not.
- Performing a Speedtest is a good way to check for latency followed by the jitter test. Perform it using: Speedtest by Ookla / Cloudflare Speed test
- Ping test can be used for concerns related to packet dropping.
- Intel Puma 6 chipsets: It is advisable to avoid any modem that has the Intel Puma 6 chipset in it.
However, few brands do not feature logos on the package. For that, you can always refer to the featured list at the bottom for enlisting the modems to avoid.
Kurt TWAIN, APPROVEDMODEMS.ORG
Modems with Puma 6 Chipsets
Modems featuring Intel Puma 6 chipsets are known to experience speed, jitter, and latency related issues. In simpler terms, they take a lot of time when it comes to processing network packets.
Initially, it was the gamers who identified this issue, upon encountering lags. Eventually, what was presumed to be a minor hardware issue, turned into a big-discovering lawsuit!
The Bugs
Intel Puma 6 chipsets had bugs, responsible for throttling speed of operations. Moreover, the bugs even opened up avenues for pranks. It was possible for the attackers to determine the low-bandwidth streams and eventually force the modem offline.
The Puma 6 Bug also makes way for connection lags courtesy of smaller payloads. Not just that, these bugs were also discovered in Puma 5 and Puma 7 chipsets.
Vulnerabilities
The mentioned bugs made the Puma 6 modems are prone to several performance-hindering vulnerabilities. The major one under consideration was the performance loss. The worst case scenario involved packet exhaustion right at the inception stage.
In addition to that, the vulnerabilities also made way for spike in network latency. In most cases, increased latency made way for sub-par gaming and interactive performances. Moreover, in a few cases, the attackers could even blow-off the adjoining hardware.
From a more technical standpoint, the associated vulnerabilities made sure that processing network packets was a tediously slow process. The CPU side-tracked the essential tasks and allow the pranksters to take up all the resources belonging to the SoC. While the optimal latency range is 20ms-40ms, these modems even experienced something in the ballpark of 200ms.
Rogue tasks ate up the speeds and resources allocated for the basic networking activities. Moreover, almost 6 percent drop in either IPV4 or even IPV6 packets were encountered. The x86 Processor couldn’t handle high-maintenance tasks like gaming and hogged up the processor; thereby spoiling gaming and other online activities.
Vulnerabilities included driving the modem offline via low-bandwidth streams. In certain cases, even one percent of the requisite bandwidth resulted in modem crash.
However, in order to exploit these vulnerabilities, the attacker must know the IP of the concerned user. That said, other issues involving jitters and latency persisted even without attackers running foul.
Not just the more demanding activities but even basic online interactions get thwarted due to the existing vulnerabilities.
The Lawsuit
Defective Puma 6 chipsets in select modems eventually led to a class-action lawsuit, filed by the consumers. At present, Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe LLP is the law firm investigating the matter and fighting the class-action on behalf of the ill-fated customers.
To start with, the lawsuit originally concerned Arris International as initially it was there modems which showed signs of defects. With customers experiencing spike in latency and degraded connections, the lawsuit was quite an obvious choice.
Both Arris and Puma accepted the issues and defects but did nothing in regard to solving the issue. Therefore, as part of the remedial plan, authorities instructed the company to refund the full modem value, in case the user ends up getting a defective piece.
The concerned law firm eventually moved onto other manufacturers selling modems containing the Puma 6 SoCs. The companies under the scanner were Linksys, Hitron, Cisco, and Netgear.
Users, who have purchased a defective modem, based on the vulnerabilities and bugs listed above in the discussion, can file issues separately with the law firm. This way they become eligible for updates and even compensation based on the culmination of the class-action lawsuit.
The common theme of the class-action is based on the violation of the consumer protection standards in the US.
Why Should You Avoid Bad Modems?
There are quite a few reasons why you must refrain from purchasing bad modems. Here are some of the threats that come along with the faulty Puma 6 modems.
- DDoS Threat: Modems sheltering the Puma chipsets, including Puma 5, Puma 6 and even Puma 7 are prone to DDoS attacks. If your IP address is known, the attacker can tap into the network with ease. Eventually, you might start experiencing timeouts and resource depletion. Do you want it?
- Increased Latency: The bad modems with Puma chipsets in them increase network latency and negatively impact online activities. Increased latency means that gaming and other web-based activities take longer than expected as the modem keeps dropping the network packets.
- Modems featuring Puma chipsets can cause almost 6 percent drop in network packets, leading to the highest possible network latency of 200ms.
- Higher Jitters: Jitter is determined by the spread of latency across timeframes. Puma 6 chipsets make sure that the networking latency varies from 2 seconds to even 0.001 second or even more.
Therefore, besides slowing down the speeds, the interactive experience over the internet is frustrating and completely random. Jitter is one aspect that affect game-playing the most.
Are there any Fixes to The PUMA 6 Chipset Issue?
To start with Arris started the initiative by resorting to the Broadcom chipsets instead the Intel-powered ones, in select devices.
Another strategy used by certain modem manufacturers includes setting up a compatible firmware onto the gadgets. This approach includes blocking the slow and jittery sequence of packets that hinder the performances. However, companies are rolling out the firmware updates as a very slow pace.
Lastly, the best fix is to avoid the modems that we have listed in this post!
KURT TWAIN
The Verdict
A faulty modem can hinder your online experience while making you prone to threats and vulnerabilities. Not just that, there are several safety concerns to account for.
While only modems with Puma 6 chipsets showcased issues, there are updates the even the certain Puma 7 devices crashed courtesy of the existing Intel-specific issues or an entirely different bug.
Most importantly, Intel has decided to exit the modem business while focussing all the efforts towards improving network infrastructure.
Therefore, it is necessary to keep a close eye on the mentioned list of defective modems and stay away from the featured models while making the purchase.
is the Puma 6 chipset and IpV6 the same thing. I want to buy a new modem and I want to avoid getting one with Puma 6 chipset. As a computer novice, the only way I can identify it is to reasd the box or modem description on the internet. HELP!!!!
THANX!!!
Marc Millstein
mmillstein3@comcast.net
IPv6 is a networking protocol unrelated to any specific hardware. IPv6 is a replacement for the older IPv4 protocol (IPv4 being a 32-bit address and IPv6 being 128-bit). Puma 6 is a particular chip or set of chips in a modem, which could run a variety of protocols (IPv4, IPv6, etc).
Is there a good modem for SuddenLink?
I used the Netgear CM600 with Suddenlink and it lasted for about two years before having unusual issues with download speed. It has the Broadcom chipset. I have just replaced it with Motorola MB7621, and my download speeds have returned and it has a two year warranty and the Broadcom chip 24×8.
I have Optimum Triple play with TV, landline phone, internet. I don’t watch TV at home so I don’t know if it works well or not. However I rely on the internet service (300) speed and the phone. Since november 2014 my connection is with the rental Optimum modem Arris TM822. The internet and phone are working fine. I have an old HP laptop still running Windows 7 Home.
Unsolicited, Optimum sent me another modem which is an Arris TM1602. This TM1602 is on your BAD list. What should I do. Should I just stay with the TM822 modem which is working fine for my purposes? I am afraid to change. I spoke with two Optimum technicians. Both told me it is fine for me to stay with my current modem. They think changing to the TM1602 is OK, too. I will have to call and tell them about your BAD modem list.
Myra, I’m sorry for the late response.
The Arris TM1602 is a bad modem because of the chipset present in it. There are chances that your internet experience can suffer because of it. However, it’s one of those devices that come with phone jack support and is compatible with Optimum.
In case you need the landline phone to work then I think that’s your only option. However, if you don’t use their voice calls facility, then check out my list of best-rated Optimum compatible modems: https://approvedmodems.org/optimum/
You say the Arris TM1602 is bad but yet it is on your “list of best-rated Optimum compatible modems: https://approvedmodems.org/optimum/“
Why is the Arris T25 blacklisted? It has a Puma 7 chipset, not the problematic Puma 6. (Really asking.) Thanks!
Puma 5,6,and 7 are all problematic and in the same boat! All 3 were manufactured in short, with the tools to help your provider throttle its customers. The development of these tools came at a cost of major vulnerabilities and devastating performance defects. Honestly it’s kinda karma as far as I am concerned for helping providers to throttle customers without them being aware or notified!
Intel released security fixes to address a lot of this issues. You need to work with your MSO/Cable Provider and they in turn should work with Intel to get the base code updated patches.
BASTARDS!!! Xfinity knew about this for three years! My Internet experience has been crap for more than a year now of leasing an Xfinity ARRIS TG1682G modem. Not only is connection crap, but the modem restarts at least once every day!!!
And Xfinity did not recall this modem by now!!! I am going to buy Motorola MB8611. I have to turn in my leased modem. I am sure that this modem will be just passed on to another unsuspecting customer!!! Sue Xfinity, recall these crap boxes!!!
I had a puma 7 modem router combo and have had no issues really… So I think most of the issues have been fixed on newer modems..
I have read that the ARris sbg8300 has “ARM and ATOM application processor”. This is the only site I have found saying it has the puma chipset. Did they (arris) change chipsets?
This was a 2016, and the early firmware updates were promising. Is this still an issue? (2022)