Common Network Hardware Issues: First Troubleshooting Steps

This is a sub-page of the Network Troubleshooting Guide. To return to the start of the Guide, please click the above image or click here.

Some network configurations are more prone to errors and disconnects than others. For more information on the most common network issues, please see below.

• This is commonly called an "error rate reset threshold” and is intended to force the cable modem to establish a new connection with the player’s Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• While a player’s normal internet usage may not produce enough errors to reach the reset threshold, the increased internet usage from playing Marathon can be enough to pass the error rate reset threshold and result in a modem reboot.
• Players who encounter this frequently may want to contact their ISP and request diagnostic tests to determine if their modem is rebooting itself due to errors.

• While convenient, Bungie’s research has shown that devices that attempt to act as both a cable modem and a router simultaneously may have difficulty maintaining the connections required to play Marathon.
• Players who are using a combo modem/router and are experiencing frequent disconnects from Marathon may be able to resolve their problems by disabling the router functions on the modem and connecting a separate consumer router.
• This is commonly referred to as “Bridge” mode, but may also be called “NAT Disabled” mode.
• Players should refer to the modem’s user manual or contact their ISP for more help changing this setting if necessary.

• One common symptom of “Double NAT” is if the system network tests report “Moderate” or “Type 2” NAT, but Marathon is providing warnings about a “Strict” or “Type 3” NAT.
• To resolve “Double NAT” problems, players should place their modem in “Bridged” mode, sometimes referred to as “NAT Disabled” mode.
• Players should refer to the modem’s user manual or contact their ISP for more help changing this setting if necessary.
• For more information on NAT Type settings, players may want to see the Advanced Troubleshooting portion of this guide.

• Players who are having trouble staying connected to Marathon may want to check for updates to their modem and router’s firmware that may have been released by the device’s manufacturer or ISP.
• Players should refer to their modem’s user manual or contact their ISP for help updating the firmware on their modem or router.

• For example, not all NAT-type issues can be solved if an ISP limits what type of traffic can be sent or received on the network.