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Modem and Equipment Support

Learn about your CenturyLink modem

Modem, router, or gateway?
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Modem, router, or gateway?

A modem connects to the provider network. The modem brings the internet connection to your home.

A router transmits that internet connection to devices in your home or business, either over a corded Ethernet connection or wirelessly (WiFi). The router also allows devices to share information with each other.

A gateway is a combination modem and router. Most CenturyLink modems are gateways.


We tend to use the word "modem" rather than "gateway" on our Support Center website. We sometimes call it a router when talking about WiFi. If you contact tech support, agents will often refer to it as a gateway.

Modem stats & acronyms

Top modems

Look for the model number on your modem sticker
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Find the model number on your modem sticker

Check the sticker on the back or bottom of the modem to find your model name and number.

Sticker label on tower modem
C4000 modem label

Fiber modems

Older modems - TIME TO UPGRADE!

The following models are retired or being retired soon, and should be replaced as soon as possible. Visit the retired modems page to get specifications for most of the modems listed below.

Retired Modems

Actiontec

 

C1000A

C2000A

Q2000*

C1900A

C2000A

PK5000A

PK5001A

Q1000A

Technicolor & Other

 

C1100T

AC1200*

C2000T

DDR2200

Zyxel

 

C1000Z

C1100Z

FR1000Z

C2100Z

PK5001Z

Q1000Z

NBG-419N*

P870HN*

Q100*

* Modems with an asterisk are fully retired and no longer supported. Contact us to get an upgrade.

EquipmentPorts/FeaturesPower (watts)
Actiontec C2300AVDSL2 (all), GigE WAN, SFP Backup WAN, VDSL2 WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP, WiFi (add) HP (3), 802.11n 256 QAM, USB3 (2)18.1 w
Actiontec C3000AVDSL2, VDSL2 Simul WAN, GigE LAN (5), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP,  WiFi (add) HP (3), USB2, PCIe (2)13.0 w
Adtran C424GGPON, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (ac) HP, WiFi (n) HP, FXS(2), USB2
8.8 w
Adtran 841-T6 wireless extenderAdvanced LNE, WiFi (n) LP, WiFi (ac) LP (2), WiFi (add) LP (2), USB2, Bluetooth, PCIe (2), 2.5 GigE10.5 w
Axon C4000BGVDSL2(all), GigE WAN, VDSL2 Simul WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP, 802.11n 256 QAM, USB2, PCle (3), 160 MHz channel14.7 w
Axon C4000LGVDSL2(all), GigE WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP, 802.11n QAM, USB2, PCIe (3), 160 MHz channel11.0 w
Axon C4000XGGigE, No SFP Backup WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP, WiFi (add) HP (4), 802.11n QAM, USB2, PCI3 (3), 160 MHz channel15.4 w
Axon C5500XK

SFP GPON, GigE WAN, GigE LAN, USB3

4.4 w
Axon Q9500XK wireless extender podAdvanced LNE, WiFi (n) LP, WiFi (ac) LP (2), WiFi (add) LP (2), USB2, Bluetooth, PCIe (2), 2.5 GigE11.2 w
Zyxel C3000Z
VDSL2 (all), GigE WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (ac) LP, WiFi (add) LP (2), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (add) HP, USB2 10.4 w
Zyxel C3510XZGigE, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) LP (2), WiFi (ac) LP, WiFi (add) LP (2), WiFi (add) HP, 802.11n QAM, USB28.5 w
Zyxel C4000LZVDSL2(all), GigE WAN, GigE LAN (4), WiFi (n) HP, WiFi (ac) HP, 802.11n QAM, PCIe (3), 160 MHz channel12.1 w

ADSL2+:  Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. ADSL2+ is a way to deliver high-speed internet over a phone line.

VDSL2:  Very-High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line. VDSL2 is one way to deliver high-speed Internet over a phone line.

FastE LAN:  Ethernet ports that can handle speeds up to 100 Mbps. FastE LAN ports are used to connect to devices on your local network.

GigE LAN:  Ethernet ports that can handle speeds up to a Gig. GigE LAN ports are using to connect to devices on your local network.

GigE WAN:  Ethernet ports that can handle speeds up to a Gig. GigE WAN ports are used to connect to other networks.

GPON:  Gigabit Passive Optical Network. Used to deliver high-speed internet over a fiber network.

WiFi:  WiFi (wireless) is used to connect devices to each other or to the internet without wires, using radio frequency.

USB2:  Universal Serial Bus. USB allows devices to physically connect and logically communicate to each other. This port is for future use.

FXS:  Foreign eXchange Subscriber interface. FXS ports are used to connect analog telephone devices.

HPNA:  HomePNA Alliance. The HPNA port is used to distribute high-quality video inside the home over existing coaxial wires.

Install your modem and connect your internet

Setting up a new modem or new internet service from CenturyLink? Choose the type of modem you have to view a setup video and written instructions.

C4000 front & rear view
C4000 modem setup

For the following models:
C4000BG  *  C4000BZ  *  C4000LG  *  C4000LZ  *  C4000XG

C3510XZ modem
Tower modem setup

For the following models:
C3000Z  *  C3510XZ  *  C844G  *  C424G  *  C2300A  *  PK5000Z

C5500XK SmartNID with Premium WiFi pods
Fiber internet only: Premium WiFi setup

For following models:
C5500XK SmartNID

Connect devices to your WiFi network

Connect devices to WiFi

Modem troubleshooting tips

Reboot

Slow or spotty internet connection? Start by rebooting.

How to reboot your modem

Is your firmware up to date? Modems usually update themselves, but you can check the modem settings to see if there's an upgrade available.

How to check firmware

In more severe cases, a technician or support agent may instruct you to do a modem reset.

How to reset your modem

Check cords

1.  Plug the black power cord into a wall outlet and into the power port on the back of the modem. 

2.  Plug the green DSL cable into the green DSL port on back of the modem, then into an active phone jack. 

For the fastest connection to your device, plug the yellow Ethernet cord into one of the Ethernet ports on the modem, and then into your device's Ethernet port. 

C4000 DSL port and power

DSL and power ports on the back of the C4000

Back of box modem showing DSL ports, Ethernet ports, power port

DSL and power ports on the back of a tower-style modem such as C3000 or 3510

DSL filters for internet + phone service

If you have both home phone service AND high-speed internet from CenturyLink, you will need to install DSL filters on all of your phone cords. These are essential to make sure you get the best phone and internet connection. 

Note: Filters are not included in your modem kit. If you have home phone service from CenturyLink, filters should be included at the time of your internet order, and will arrive in a separate package. If you did not receive filters, please chat with us.

Filters are not needed if you have a C4000XG. 

Phone plugging into filter (diagram)

Plug the phone cord into a filter and then into the wall jack.

If you have cordless phones, you only need to install a filter on the phone base that plugs in to the wall jack. Other units that plug into an electrical outlet but not a phone jack do not need filters.

Modem plugging in with no filter (diagram)

The DSL cord from the modem to the jack should not have a filter.

Phone and modem plugging into DSL splitter (diagram)

Use a DSL splitter to plug the modem and a telephone into one wall jack.

Read and troubleshoot the modem lights

C4000 modem lights

C4000 status light ring.png
C4000 single status light guide

For the following models:
C4000BG  *  C4000BZ  *  C4000LG  *  C4000LZ  *  C4000XG

Video: Guide to the modem lights (C4000 series)

Tower modem lights

C3000A modem
Tower modem lights guide

For all following models:
Actiontec   *   Adtran   *   Calix   *   Technicolor   *   Zyxel (except C4000)

Video: Guide to the modem lights (tower-style modems)

Time for a new modem?

Learn how to replace or upgrade a CenturyLink modem.

Get a New Modem

Modem Recycling

Send in your old CenturyLink modem and we'll recycle it at no cost!

Recycle Your Modem
Recycle Your Modem

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