Forum Discussion

JamStrong's avatar
JamStrong
New Poster
7 years ago

Is my modem suppose to feel warm to the touch.

I never touch my modem unless my internet is not working. Well my phone wouldn't connect to HN so I checked the modem and noticed it felt warm. I have never noticed this before. All the lights are on ...
modem
  • Liz's avatar
    Liz
    7 years ago

    Hi JamStrong!

     

    Good question--as your fellow community members have already mentioned, it's ok if the modem feels warm. I would be concerned if it were really hot to the touch, however. I double-checked your diagnostics and everything looks fine. I would also make sure to follow everyone's advice to ensure the modem has enough space around it so it's properly ventilated.

     

     

maratsade's avatar
maratsade
Distinguished Professor IV

I don’t think so — my modem always feels cool to the touch.   Is your modem located somewhere where air can circulate freely around it?

MarkJFine's avatar
MarkJFine
Professor
7 years ago

It could be mildly warm, as any electronic device that uses power is ok, but 'warm' is kind of a subjective term.

Just as long as it's not hot enough to touch without burning yourself. It's not necessarily a bad thing, but you don't want the device to overheat. In those cases it could mean that there's not enough ventilation, or there's a power issue somewhere.

  • GabeU's avatar
    GabeU
    Distinguished Professor IV
    7 years ago

    Mine feels somewhat warm at the top, where it vents out, but the rest is cool to the touch.  

     

    Warm is okay.  Hot is bad.  

     

    With that said, having space around it so that it can get an airflow is important, as it is designed to keep cool by drawing room air from around the bottom edges and exhausting it through the top by convection.  Because of this the top can feel warm.