Check DSL Connection on Computer

If you connect to the Internet via a DSL connection you use a DSL modem that connects to the phone line. There are several different lights and ports on the DSL modem, so it is important to understand what all of the lights and ports are to. This helps because if a problem ever occurs with your Internet connection you possess the knowledge allowing you to easily fix the issue without calling your DSL provider.

Look at the back side of your DSL modem. The port on the far left side is typically marked "Internet." This is where the Ethernet cable from the phone line is plugged. It brings the Internet signal into the DSL modem.

Inspect the ports to the right of the "Internet" port. These other ports are used to connect computers to the modem. Most ports allow anywhere from one to four computers to run off the modem. However, all of the ports run off the Internet speed, so the more computers connected to the DSL modem the slower the Internet connection for all of the computers.

Inspect the front of the modem. This is where you see small dots of light flash depending on what the DSL is doing. When the power is on there is a small light typically marked "Power" that blinks on. A light above "Internet" means the modem is properly connected to the Ethernet cable running from the phone line and the sequence of lights next to it represents the computers connected to the modem. If a light is on over "Activity" it means the Internet is currently in use by one of the computers. For some connections there is only a change of light color if the connection is incorrect. A green light means the connections is good while a orange or yellow light means there is an issue with the connection.

Look at the backside of your computer where the Ethernet cable from the DSL modem is plugged. There should be a light on if the cable is properly plugged in. The color of the light on your computer is typically a bright green.

Inspect the lower right corner of your desktop (when using a Windows Computer). Look in the upper right corner if using a Mac system. When the DSL modem is properly powered on and the computer is connected to it a small image that looks like a lit monitor appears. This means your computer is currently connected to the Internet.