# Internet connection stalls **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 3, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328 "2000-06-03T22:20:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/1 "2000-06-03T22:20:55Z")
Why is it that often after being connected to my ISP for a period of time (usually around 20-30 minutes) the connection stalls, and I can no longer browse the web or check my mail? When this happens, I disconnect from my ISP, redial, and usually I can browse again. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/2 "2000-06-03T23:08:30Z")
What ISP? ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2000, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/3 "2000-06-03T23:55:08Z")
Do you have call waiting? If you do, and someone tries to call you, your connection is probably broken. DHR ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/4 "2000-06-04T01:19:41Z")
Many ISPs automatically disconnect you after around 20 minutes of inactivity to free up lines for other users. ---
**Author:** ![curwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@curwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curwin)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/5 "2000-06-04T02:44:07Z")
For clarification – This has happened with more than one ISP, and it is not after 20 minutes of inactivity, but after 20 or so minutes of web browsing. ---
**Author:** ![Wood\_Thrush](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b38774/32.png) [@Wood\_Thrush](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wood_Thrush)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/6 "2000-06-04T03:01:52Z")
I suggest you call your ISP’s customer service hotline. Use a cellular telephone if your computer is connected to the same line as your home telephone. ---
**Author:** ![douglips](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@douglips](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/douglips)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/7 "2000-06-04T07:00:43Z")
Yes, but do you have call waiting? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/8 "2000-06-04T07:03:26Z")
I’ve found that an incoming telephone call can make my internet connexion crap out - don’t know why. (I don’t have call waiting.) ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/9 "2000-06-04T14:54:05Z")
It’s happened to me ocassionally that the connection is still on but nothing gets through and I have to reconnect. I have no idea why it happens but my guess is that the modem at the other end “froze”. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2000, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/10 "2000-06-04T15:34:35Z")
If it happens withe more than one ISP its probably the modem or the modem driver or the jack wiring. I live near the sea & the phone jacks get crud on them so I put a new one in now and then, about $3.00. The way to figure that out is to directly wire to the phone box outside to the computer for a test. Its probably the modem though. ---
**Author:** ![tygre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@tygre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tygre)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2000, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/internet-connection-stalls/21328/11 "2000-06-05T00:47:52Z")
Some ISP’s will cut you off after 20-30 minutes, period. What time of day is it happening? Is it happening at the same sites? I’d get the modem checked & upgrade the drivers if neccessary, but call the ISP first and see what their policy is on cutoffs. –ty