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Setup tower modem and start CenturyLink internet
Learn how to install your tower modem and start up your CenturyLink internet service. Learn what to do before installation, then follow the steps to finish setup and get online. You can also watch a video about how to set up your modem.
This guide is for all tower modems (a black box or tower). There may be slight differences in light order or appearance between modem models, but the functions are similar.
This guide is for CenturyLink tower modems.
This includes all modems except the C4000 series and fiber SmartNIDs.
Getting ready for installation
Have you ordered new internet service or a new modem from CenturyLink with standard installation? There are some things you need to know before completing the installation process. For the best results, read the full instructions below before you begin.
Your modem will arrive in the mail on or before the date your service is scheduled to start. Look for an email with your order confirmation details and an order status tracking link. Your line should be activated no later than 7 p.m. on your start date. You may receive a notification earlier in the day to let you know that your service has been activated, and then you can start your installation. If in doubt, you may want to wait until 7 p.m. to hook up your modem.
Installation guide (PDF)
We recommend installing the My CenturyLink app on your iOS or Android device to complete installation. It not only makes the setup process a snap, but is also great for managing your CenturyLink services, billing, and network.
Download the My CenturyLink app
If you don't want the app, you can use a web browser on your computer to complete installation. Just follow the QuickConnect instructions when you get to step 4.
Video: Set up a tower-style modem
Please note that the modem shown in the video below may look slightly different from yours, but the steps will be the same.
Steps to complete setup
1. Start by unpacking the box and identifying all the pieces:
- Modem
- Power cord (black)
- Ethernet cables (yellow/white)
- DSL cable (green) - Not used with fiber modems
Find a good spot for your modem. Depending on the location of your active internet jack(s), you may have multiple options, or you may be limited to one room. Still, the exact placement has an impact on wireless performance and speeds you'll get on your various devices.
- Find a place where the modem will have space around it and be as centrally located as possible.
- Avoid closets or other closed-off areas to get a strong wireless signal.
- Choose a place with good air circulation that doesn't get too hot, as excessive heat can cause electronics to perform poorly.
- Don't place the modem close to other electronics, solid appliances, or fish tanks.
Now it's time to get your modem hooked up.
- Plug the black power cord into a wall outlet and into the power port on the back of the modem.
- Plug one end of the green cord into the green DSL port on back of the modem, and the other end into a working phone jack.
- Finally, plug one end of the yellow Ethernet cord into one of the Ethernet ports on the modem, and the other end into your computer's Ethernet port.
Note: Your modem may look different from the one in the image, but the ports on any tower or box-style modem will be similar.
No Ethernet port on your device? If you're using a tablet or a newer laptop, you might not have an Ethernet port on your device. That's okay. If you finish your setup through the app (connecting through mobile data), then you'll be able to connect to WiFi using your WiFi network (SSID) and password printed on the modem label.
Do you have both internet AND landline phone service from CenturyLink?
If YES, then you must have DSL filters or splitters installed on your phone lines. Open the instructions below.
Skip this step if you do not have CenturyLink landline phone service.
If you have both landline phone service (not VOIP) and high-speed internet, 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.
Plug the phone cord into a filter and then into the wall jack
Note: If you have cordless phones, you only need to install a filter on the phone base that plugs in to the wall jack; no filters are needed on the cordless units that only plug into an electrical outlet.
Do not install a filter between the modem and the wall jack.
The DSL cord from the modem to the jack should not have a filter
As an alternative, use a splitter to plug both a phone and a DSL modem into one wall jack.
Use a DSL splitter to plug a phone and a modem into one wall jack
Have a home security system? Chat with customer service to get a technician to install a whole-home filter on the line outside your home (there is an installation fee for this.)
Filters are not included in your modem kit. If you have a landline phone and internet with CenturyLink, filters should have been included at the time of your order and will arrive in a separate package. If you did not receive filters, please chat with us.
Once the light on the front is blue (and the DSL light on the back, if you have one, is green), it's time to activate your service. You can do this using the mobile app OR the QuickConnect site on a browser — either one will walk you through the steps to sign your subscriber agreement, finish installing service, and create your personal network.
Option 1: On a smartphone connected to mobile data, open the My CenturyLink mobile app, go into the Install My New Modem section.
Option 2: Plug a computer into your modem directly with an Ethernet cable. Open a web browser and type in to http://connect.centurylink.com (not "https"). Follow the steps to complete the installation process using QuickConnect.
5. Check the status lights
The lights on your modem will change throughout the installation process, indicating the connection status.
Your modem may look different from the one in the images below, but the lights will function in the same way.
When you first plug in the modem it will start booting up. Once it has tested its own systems, the power light will turn solid GREEN.
See below for power light colors other than green and what they mean.
Power light OFF
What it means: The modem isn't plugged in or doesn't have a power source.
What to do:
- Make sure you are using the correct power supply (the one that came with the modem).
- Check that your outlet is working.
- If you are using a power strip, surge protector, or you have a lot of devices using the same power source as your modem, it may not be getting sufficient power. Make sure it's plugged directly into a wall outlet, or try a different outlet.
Power light RED
What it means: The modem is testing its hardware. If it's still red after a few minutes, there could be hardware or sofware failure.
What to do: Restart your modem.
Power light ORANGE or blinking GREEN/ORANGE
What it means: The modem is testing its software. If it remains orange or blinking orange for more than a few minutes, there could be a problem.
What to do: Restart your modem.
Troubleshooting the power light
If the power light remains off, red, orange, or blinking for more than a few minutes, there may be a problem. If you've tried the suggestions above, the last resort is to reset your modem.
If a reset doesn't solve it, contact technical support for help.
After the phone cord is plugged into the back of the modem and connected to an active wall jack, the modem will search for the DSL signal. Once it connects to our network, the DSL light will turn solid GREEN.
Check the internet light next, or see below if the DSL light does not turn green.
Two DSL lights? If your modem has two DSL lights, this means you have a "pair-bonded" connection, or two lines put together to increase speed. The descriptions here will apply to two DSL lights the same as to one.
DSL light OFF
What it means: The modem doesn't detect a network connection. If it remains off for more than a minute after the power light is green, see the troubleshooting instructions below.
DSL light blinking GREEN SLOWLY
What it means: The modem is searching for the CenturyLink network. If it keeps blinking for more than 5 minutes, see the troubleshooting instructions below.
DSL light flashing GREEN QUICKLY
What it means: The modem has detected the network and is connecting. If it keeps flashing for more than 5 minutes, see the troubleshooting instructions below.
DSL light RED
What it means: The modem can't detect the CenturyLink network. If it stays red for more than 30 seconds, see the troubleshooting instructions below.
Troubleshooting the DSL light
If the DSL light on your modem remains off, blinking, or red after a few minutes, there may be an issue with the network. Here are some things to try:
- Make sure your equipment is set up correctly and that your modem is not filtered.
- Try rebooting your modem.
- If you have another phone jack in the house connected to the internet, try connecting the modem to that phone jack, in case the one you're currently using is faulty.
If the problem continues, contact technical support for help.
After the power and DSL lights are green, the modem will connect to the internet. Once it's online, the internet light will turn GREEN.
During normal use, the internet light will flash and flicker green whenever your modem is sending data back and forth between the internet and your devices.
Internet light OFF
What it means: The modem is in "transparent bridge" mode. If it stays off for more than 30 seconds after the DSL light is green, you'll need to reset the modem by pressing the reset button for 10 seconds. Then, complete setup by following the troubleshooting instructions below.
Internet light blinking RED/GREEN
What it means: The modem is completing auto-configuration. If this continues for more than a minute, you may need to contact technical support to ask for assistance.
Internet light ORANGE
What it means: Your modem needs to be activated or you did not complete the user agreement. To do this, connect a computer directly to your modem and open up a web browser. You will be taken to the CenturyLink activation page. Or enter http://connect.centurylink.com. Complete the user agreement to finish activation. If you see "Page cannot be displayed" at this point, contact technical support.
Internet light RED
What it means: The authentication credentials are not accepted by the network. A connection failure has occurred. Try disconnecting everything (DSL and power cords), waiting a few minutes, and repeating the steps above to Plug in cords and to Activate your service online. If the internet light is still red after trying again, you will need to chat with an agent to get more troubleshooting help.
Troubleshooting the internet light
Troubleshooting instructions if light is OFF or RED:
- Open a browser on a device that is connected to the modem, and go to http://192.168.0.1 then sign in using the admin username and password on the modem label.
- Select Quick Set-up and follow the steps for setup.
If you don't know your username and password, try resetting your modem by pressing the reset button for 10 seconds, waiting for the internet light to turn on, then going through the CenturyLink activation process.
If the internet light is still red after resetting, contact technical support for help.
For information about the Ethernet, WiFi and WPS lights, see our complete modem lights guide.
CAUTION! Do not remove your modem sticker. It includes your default Admin Username and Admin Password, which cannot be retrieved if lost. Your modem could become unusable without them.
Setup FAQs
Below are some of the most common questions that come up during the modem setup process.
The initial boot-up can take up to 15 minutes, as the modem installs firmware updates and syncs with our network. The remaining steps will depend on your installation method (the app or the QuickConnect site) and how quickly you go through it. It's a good idea to allow at least 45 minutes to complete setup. Some people may need more or less time than that.
This will depend on the age of your home or apartment and how it was built. In an older and larger home, there may be multiple jacks. In some cases, different providers may have installed jacks over the years. One or more of your jacks should be connected to the CenturyLink network; if not, you'll need to set up a technician appointment to install or activate a jack for you.
If none of the lights are coming on, this most likely means the modem isn't getting power. Check your connections and your power outlet:
- Make sure the power cord is fully and firmly plugged in on both ends: into the power port on the modem and into the wall outlet.
- Make sure the outlet is live. You can test this by plugging in another electrical device, and/or try another outlet.
If you need additional support setting up your modem, chat with us.
Modem setup topics
Starting new service? A phone jack is required to set up CenturyLink internet service in your home. If you don't have a jack, chat with us to have one installed.
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