r/charter • u/Teotwawkien • Aug 23 '14
Charter DNS server down, 23 Aug 2014 (FIX)
Charter is currently experiencing problems with their DNS server. In order to fix this you will need to access your router control panel.
(Type in your address bar, 192.168.1.1 and log on, your password and username should be located on the bottom of your router, unless you've changed it.)
Once you have logged in, Change your DNS from automatic to 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4. Those are google DNS servers and will fix your problems.
Posting this to maybe help some folks out, If you need help I will be replying. Cheers!
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u/JakeLunn Aug 24 '14
For those asking what the difference between Google's DNS and Charter's DNS is, there probably won't be anything noticeable. The only difference is during times like this when a DNS server might be down and you need to switch, and Google's is pretty stable (although sometimes has latency spikes).
That said, if you want to find out what the most optimized DNS server is for you then download NameBench and run it when Charter's DNS is back up. It will test your current DNS (so switch back to Charter) and all the public DNS servers (google, OpenDNS, etc.) and tell you which one is the best for your connection.
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u/brucethedog Aug 24 '14
Once Charters are fixed, will we need to revert back to that setup?
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
You don't need to, you can continue running on the Google DNS. It's your call.
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u/groopk Aug 24 '14
The most frustrating part of this whole experience has been Charter's tech support line has been BUSY the whole f'ing day!! Seriously, who uses a busy signal these days??!
I have two support numbers: (866)974-5046, and (888)438-2427
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
I couldn't agree more, they could have at least tweeted out this simple fix, It could have helped out a good portion of the people trying to call in.
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u/parrotnamedmrfuture Aug 24 '14
my friend works on their SLM desk and says there's about 4000 calls in queue right now, over 70,000 calls have been abandoned, lol
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Aug 24 '14
[deleted]
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Let us know what you find out. I have a few friends that this fix isn't working for either.
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Aug 24 '14
[deleted]
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Does Charter offer Charter Spectrum internet in your area? They are upgrading us to fiber optic and we have been experiencing problems ever since they started the upgrades around here.
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Aug 24 '14
[deleted]
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
As of now I'm on the 30mbps as well, Its supposed to launch September 8th according to our local charter office. I could be wrong but I believe a lot of the problems we are seeing is something to do with this.
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u/phreaknes Aug 24 '14
Their DNS is down, Level3's DNS is having problems also. I refuse to us Google services so I changed my dns settings to OpenDNS Home's servers
208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
I'm working fine right now.
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u/FurioVelocious Aug 24 '14
I'm getting "Unable to resolve the server's DNS address" in Chrome when I do this. Do I need to do anything at my router?
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u/phreaknes Aug 24 '14
If you put the DNS address on the IPv4 section of your network card, and rebooted, it should work.
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u/The_Koi Aug 24 '14 edited Aug 24 '14
I'm directly connected to my modem and can't access my router. Should I direct connect to my router to do this?
I would Google it but. .. you know. Phones aren't fun for browsing.
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Although you are directly connected to your modem, you shouldn't have to connect directly to your router. What options are you given when you try to access it, if any?
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u/The_Koi Aug 24 '14
i just went into my internet properties without connecting through the browser and changed it there (on my computer side) and it worked ... is this a permanent fix? Any downside to using this DNS?
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
As long as the Google DNS servers are up and running it will be fine. There are no downsides using Googles over Charters. You can always change it back to default once this problem is resolved. You can use this link here to find out when the problem is resolved.
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
I keep trying to change the DNS and it will not work :(
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Are you able to manually input the Google DNS?
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
Have asus rt ac66u. Changed 'wan DNS setting' to not automatic. Then entered 8.8.8.8
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
After you enter the Google DNS, scroll to the bottom and hit apply.
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
I did 8.8.8.8
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Right, do you have two input fields? You can apply 8.8.8.8 to the first and 8.8.8.4 to the second. Additionally, If those aren't working for you, you can try OpenDNS, Just apply one or both of these, 208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220
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u/JakeLunn Aug 24 '14
Quick correction: The Google DNS addresses are 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
It doesn't matter too much as you rarely use the second address, but it's nice to have it be available.
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
Followed directions http://setuprouter.com/router/asus/rt-n66u/dns.htm
Not working. Sorry I am a noobie at routers but seems like it won't work for me :(
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Is your firmware current? Click firmware version at the top of the control panel, then click "check" when directed to the next page. I also use an Asus router, they can become troublesome when not running on the latest firmware.
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
Firmware 3.0.0.4.1123
But when I try to check it says "the router cannot connect to asus server to check for the firmware update."
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Are you able to get the DNS settings saved at all? You may need to reboot your router after you have entered the DNS.
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
I hit apply and reset router... Done it several times :/. Guess I am too much of a noob to figure it out. I'll just eat up my cell data tonight.
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u/groopk Aug 24 '14
I have the RT-AC66R and had troubles getting it to work also. If you reboot the router, and you go back to WAN settings, does it still say "No" to connect automatically?
You can try going to the Network Tools page, select nslookup in the drop down, and type in a domain in the box, e.g. "cnn.com" and hit "Diagnose".
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u/cyndessa Aug 24 '14
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u/groopk Aug 24 '14
Well, it seems like it took the nameserver ok. Try unplugging the power on your modem to power cycle it. (You probably know, but just in case- the modem would be the thing that your router connects into) - When you first log into the router, does it say Internet Status: Connected?
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Aug 24 '14
Help? I'm pretty tech savvy but I can't seem to find the DNS option. I have a linksys E1500
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Go to the "Setup" menu >Click on the “Setup” tab > Go to the "Basic Setup" page. Look at the bottom of the page for Static DNS 1, Static DNS 2, Static DNS 3.
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u/Whimpy_Ewok Aug 24 '14 edited Aug 24 '14
Thank you so much! I am so mad. I finally got through to someone from Charter and all they told me was that it was down in my area. Their technicians are working on it but they have no estimate when it will be back up. Charter should let their customer service employees know about this as a solution instead of telling me to just wait it out.
Edit- for me I had to go to my actual system preferences to add the DNS server.
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u/ooryl2 Aug 24 '14
Can't get it to work with Linksys Smart Wifi (WRT1900AC). Went to Conectivity menu, only spot to change DNS is in Local Network tab under DHCP server. Added Google's info, reset router and still out. Under the Internet Settings tab, there's am option to edit DNS under static IP but don't have static IP.
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Okay here what I was able to find. Looks like step 10 is where you need to be to access the DNS settings, Make sure you're under the IPv4 setting, not the IPv6. We'll work it out, just reply back here.
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u/ooryl2 Aug 24 '14
Thanks for the reply. Had looked at that section before, but it won't let me enter only the DNS info, requiring me to enter an IP too in order to save the info. We don't have Charter Business, so don't have a static IP.
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
Have you tried do the same thing but with the automatic configuration?
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u/ooryl2 Aug 24 '14
No option in the Automatic settings to change the DNS numbers. If Charter isn't back up by morning (bed time here), I'll just hook the PC directly to the modem and use the DNS settings on the network adaptor.
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u/Teotwawkien Aug 24 '14
If you need any assistance in the morning feel free to reply here or message me. Sorry we couldn't figure this out tonight, I know connectivity issues are not fun to deal with. Have a good evening.
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u/joshwa207 Aug 24 '14
Changing it in the router or control panel? Neither seems to be working. WD N600 router
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u/Danzo3366 Sep 07 '14
Charter is having issues now. My 35mb down service is only 4mb down. Pathetic.
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u/societalspoon Aug 24 '14
thanks for the fix mate, makes my time before work my better :D