Problem: You are frequently being disconnected (or "kicked off") of the Internet while using it.

Solution: Unfortunately, there is no single solution for being kicked offline while using the Internet. This page will outline some common reasons and solutions to try if you are frequently being disconnected, however you should be aware that the nature of dial-up Internet is that occasionally you will be disconnected, as phone line reliability fluctuates (figuratively, and sometimes even literally) with the weather.

Windows 95, 98 and 98SE

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected.
2. On your desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
3. Double click the Dial-Up Networking folder.
4. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
5. From the menu bar, click File and choose Properties.
6. In the field label Telephone Number enter in your code to disable call waiting (contact your telephone company to determine what your code is an example would be *70) followed by two commas (,,).
7. Click OK

Call waiting should be disabled now when you connect to the Internet.[ Top ]

Windows Millennium Edition

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected
2. On your desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
3. Double click on the Control Panel icon.
4. Double click the Dial-Up Networking folder.
5. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
6. From the menu bar, click File and choose Properties.
7. In the field label Telephone Number enter in your code to disable call waiting (contact your telephone company to determine what your code is an example would be *70) followed by two commas (,,).
8. Click OK

Call waiting should be disabled now when you connect to the Internet.[ Top ]

Windows 2000

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected
2. Double Click on the My Computer icon.
3. Double Click on the Control Panel icon.
4. Double Click on the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder.
5. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
6. On the menu bar click once on File and then choose properties.
7. In the field label Telephone Number enter in your code to disable call waiting (contact your telephone company to determine what your code is an example would be *70) followed by two commas (,,).
8. Click OK

Call waiting should be disabled now when you connect to the Internet.[ Top ]

Windows NT

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected.
2. Double Click on the My Computer icon.
3. Double Click on the Control Panel icon.
4. Double Click on the Dial-Up Networking folder.
5. Make sure your Access US connection is selected in your phonebook entry field.
6. Click on More and then choose Edit phonebook entry.
7. In the field labeled Phone Number enter in your code to disable call waiting (contact your telephone company to determine what your code is an example would be *70) followed by two commas (,,).
8. Click OK

Call waiting should be disabled now when you connect to the Internet.[ Top ]

To begin with, the most common cause of someone losing their connection right in the middle of a Web Browsing session is line noise. Line noise is responsible for many connection related issues that plague ISP users. There are some other possible culprits, but we will get into them in a bit.

Some of the causes of line noise include:

• Dampness and moisture in the phone lines.

• Sunspot or Solar Flare activity (no joke!)

• Old or low quality phone lines.

• Multiple features on your phone line (call waiting, caller id, etc.) may slow your connection speeds as these services pull from the purity of the phone line like a distraction.

• Cordless phones attached to the same phone line may cause some interference.

• Having your phone cord too long or your computer too far from the jack.

• Your phone cord wound from the jack to the computer may cause it to act like an antenna.

• Your phone cord being ran next to a power supply, radio, speakers, or other source of interference. Someone picking up another phone on the same line while you are online. [ Top ]

Even though you may own a 56k modem, you will never fully connect at 56k. At present, phone lines are limited to allowing a true 53k connection by FCC standards. Furthermore, the phone company only has to guarantee your phone lines to be able to handle a 2,400 baud connection. For comparison, a 56k modem can theoretically connect at 56,000 baud. Line noise itself also limits you on how fast you can connect to us with your modem - this is why that even though you might have a 56k modem that can connect at 53k, you will most likely never get more than a 49k connection because of interference over the phone lines.

Keeping this in mind, there are times when line noise is worse than usual. If you've ever been talking on your phone and been able to hear other conversations, staticy noise or hissing you've seen what I mean. There is also noise that can occur beyond the range of human hearing that can cause interference as well. All it will take for a lot of modems to drop connection is a few seconds of noise to cross the line and *click*, you've lost your connection.

Most of the faster modems out there that have good error correction and/or are made by fairly reliable manufacturers can tolerate a considerable amount of line noise and without being disconnected.

But like it or not, there are times when the noise will be bad and you're going to get disconnected. Sometimes several times in a row. And it's going to be very frustrating

believe me; being a dial-up user with many different Internet Providers, I've had this happen more times that I can count. [ Top ]

Some possible options you have are:

• Purchase a 56k v.90 modem

• Consider purchasing an additional phone line that is dedicated to your data needs. Don't install any features or phones on this line

• Upgrade your modem to the v.90 standard

• Move your computer close the phone jack

• Make the phone line to the jack as straight and short as possible

• Contact your phone line provider and let them know you may be experiencing some interference on the line. This may prompt them to improve your line condition, thus improving your connection speed. It is important to note that most phone companies don't guarantee line quality for data transaction, only voice.

Aside from these, the only thing you can really do is grin and bear it.[ Top ]

If you are connected to the Internet but are not doing anything that causes data to move through the network (for example if you leave your computer or spend a long time viewing a certain page) you will be disconnected to free up your phone line. This can be set at both the ISP-end as well as on your computer.

On our end, this is typically set to 30 minutes. Again, keep in mind that this setting only disconnects you when you are not doing anything. If you are actively downloading or browsing, this setting will not disconnect you.

To check if a disconnect setting is set on your computer, double-click My Computer, then open Internet Connections, and right-click the Access US configuration and select Properties. Click the Redial tab at the top of the screen. If you want to disable Idle Disconnect, uncheck the box next to that setting, otherwise set the number of minutes in the box to whatever you would like it to be.

Windows 95, 98 and 98SE

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected.
2. On your desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
3. Double click the Dial-Up Networking folder.
4. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
5. From the menu bar, click File and choose Properties.Click the Configure button in the lower portion of the window.
6. Click the Connection tab at the top of the window
7. To disable idle disconnects remove the check from the box labeled "Disconnect a call if idle for more than" (if there is no check mark here you may want to put the check mark in and then remove it again).
8. Click OK
9. Click OK

Idle Disconnect should now be deactivated on your computer.[ Top ]

Windows Millennium Edition:

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected
2. On your desktop, double-click the My Computer icon.
3. Double click on the Control Panel icon.
4. Double click the Dial-Up Networking folder.
5. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
6. From the menu bar, click File and choose Properties.
7. Click the Configure button in the lower portion of the window.
8. Click the Connection tab at the top of the window
9. To disable idle disconnects remove the check from the box labeled "Disconnect a call if idle for more than" (if there is no check mark here you may want to put the check mark in and then remove it again).
10. Click OK
11. Click OK

Idle Disconnect should now be deactivated on your computer.[ Top ]

Windows 2000

1. Disconnect from the Internet if you are already connected
2. Double Click on the My Computer icon.
3. Double Click on the Control Panel icon.
4. Double Click on the Network and Dial-Up Connections folder.
5. Click once on your Access US connection icon.
6. On the menu bar click once on File and then choose properties.
7. Click the Options tab
8. Under the Redialing Options switch the Idle Time Before Hanging Up drop down box to None by clicking the down arrow and selecting none from the list.
9. Click OK

Idle Disconnect should now be deactivated on your computer.[ Top ]

Sometimes modems are set by the operating system to operate at speeds that can cause more errors and disconnections. To check this, click on the Start Button, select Settings, and Control Panel. Under the Control Panel, open System. Click the Device Manager tab, and click the + symbol next to Modem to display the installed modems on your computer. Click the name of your modem and then click the Properties button at the bottom of the window.

Click on the Modem tab, at the bottom of the window you will see a Maximum Speed setting, which by default is set to 115,200 on most systems. Try setting this to 57,600. You may wish to try setting this even lower to 38400, but this will effect connection speeds, so we would not recommend it unless absolutely necessary (as with extreme line noise and problems).

After setting the speed setting, click the Connection tab at the top of the window, then click the Advanced button at the bottom. In the Advanced Connection Settings window, uncheck Compress Data. Click the OK buttons at the bottom of all the windows, close the Control Panel, and then re-start your computer for the settings to take effect.[ Top ]

Another thing to try is to update your computer to the latest drivers and firmware for your modem. Drivers are the files that your computer uses to communicate with and operate your modem, while Firmware is the internal programming for your modem. To obtain the latest drivers and firmware, contact your modem and/or computer manufacturer. You can often get the updates for free via the Internet.[ Top ]

Some e-mail programs such as Outlook Express have an option when downloading a large e-mail message to automatically hang up from the Internet when finished. Unfortunately, when the is set once, the option remains set until the next time you are downloading mail and uncheck it. If you find that you are being disconnected as soon as your mail is checked, this is most likely the problem. To fix this, open your mail program, and double-click the "Send / Receive" button at the top of the window. This opens the Send and Receive box. Un-check the "Hang up when finished" option at this screen if available. For good measure, if this box is already unchecked, quickly check it, and then uncheck it.[ Top ]

Some e-mail programs such as Outlook Express have an option when downloading a large e-mail message to automatically hang up from the Internet when finished. Unfortunately, when the is set once, the option remains set until the next time you are downloading mail and uncheck it. If you find that you are being disconnected as soon as your mail is checked, this is most likely the problem. To fix this, open your mail program, and double-click the "Send / Receive" button at the top of the window. This opens the Send and Receive box. Un-check the "Hang up when finished" option at this screen if available. For good measure, if this box is already unchecked, quickly check it, and then uncheck it.[ Top ]

Sometimes frequent disconnections are an indicator of a modem malfunction. This may even be the case with new modems. Modems tend to generate heat, which can cause flaws in the electronic components. If all else fails, you may wish to try installing a new modem.[ Top ]