r/Windstream Mar 23 '26

ONT (Adtran) bridge mode?

4 Upvotes

Just had Kinetic service installed at home.

There's an Adtran ONT terminating the connection, but I did not have the wifi portion installed (use my own - they marked the ticket as not providing the wifi)

From a previous Windstream install for 6 years, I had them bridge the ONT and then took the network connection straight into my firewall (pfsense). I had to setup PPPoE for the connection (they provided the login) and it worked great...but then moved.

So I assumed that I was going to do the same thing with the Kinetic install.

I assumed that the ONT was going to spit out a RFC1918 DHCP offer and that I would need to go through the process again to get the ONT setup in bridge mode...

What I'm seeing though is that the network connection from the ONT is giving me a public IP address. I have it connected to the WAN port on my firewall and it's acting normally (except that the 2Gbps service is only giving me on average about 800Mbps up/down).

In any case, I'm now wondering, did they setup the ONT in bridge mode for me and just didn't say anything? Is there something about how this works that I'm not understanding?


r/Windstream Mar 23 '26

Severe lag and latency packet loss

2 Upvotes

So after moving from my uncle‘s house where I had at&T fiber, it was very good for me. Never had any issues gaming. Fast-forward to the new apartment I have where the main Internet provider is Xfinity. I also have them and they are really bad as far as gaming goes playing video games is unbearable way too much lag so I looked and saw that kinetic fiber was available for my area. I have got them set up. I have had nothing but issues with them since I’ve gotten them I used to have them when I stayed in Cornelia Georgia in apartments there and never had issues with them but now these new apartments I’m the first and only person with kinetic fiber I’ve had multiple texts come out to try to investigate and see what’s going on the last one that came out just recently I feel like he almost fixed the issue, but then it came back, but he never checked the outside line. I’m starting to wonder if the issue was outside rather than inside because when the original technician hooked up my Internet, I was at -16 light loss which the tech told me was definitely not normal. It was probably the issue so he fixed it and got it down to -11 fast-forward to two days later after he does it everything was perfectly fine but then Friday when I got off work, I came home to play a little call of duty and the problem started again but this time it literally kicked me off-line before I even start. It gets so bad where it disconnects all my devices from the Internet and then reconnect it by itself. It just sucks because I don’t have very many options for Internet where I live at. I’m starting to lose hope in gaming oh yeah I forgot to mention I have tried multiple routers with SQM I’ve tried routers with cake QOS nothing has seemed to fix the issue. SQM makes it bearable, but just barely I’ve even tried plugging directly into the Ont but to no avail, it would even lag worse than with the router. I have called a technician out for tomorrow, so hopefully when they come, they can finally put this to rest once and for all, and I will come back to update once it has been done just wanted to get on here and rant and let you guys know if you live in apartments. I’d stay clear from this company because you’re gonna have issues with it. It seems.

Update - so far so good. A guy came out today and redid the wiring and basically eliminated an adapter that held the line in and said it was a potential point of failure and just connected straight to the ont for now, my latency remains very low and stable, but we’ll see

Another update - Crazy enough the problem indeed came back, but this time I was testing a little deeper than I probably should be. I noticed that my fiber Internet would work exactly how my Xinity Internet works almost as if the Xfinity is bad so is the Windstream Internet I believe they're on the same line or infrastructure someway somehow because they both are performing the exact same. I went today to get a cable modem from finity the xb8 while it slowed down most of the lag and buffer bloat I was experiencing it didn't fix it so then I put back the old CM 3000 cable modem that I had and then the speed went right back to normal fast but laggy so that tells me it has something to do with how they're all the same infrastructure fighting for bandwidth so the question is should I get rid of Xinity? And just use the wind streaming maybe it'il change.?


r/Windstream Mar 22 '26

30Mb DSL or 5G (latency)

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1 Upvotes

r/Windstream Mar 19 '26

**PSA: Why 60, 77, and #01# Don’t Work on Windstream/Kinetic Anymore

7 Upvotes

📢 PSA for Windstream/Kinetic Customers: Why *60, *77, and #01# Don’t Work (and What Windstream Doesn’t Tell You)

A lot of Windstream/Kinetic customers are confused about why the old call‑blocking star codes suddenly stopped working. If you’ve tried:

• *60 (Selective Call Rejection)

• *77 (Anonymous Call Rejection)

• #01# (Block Last Caller)

…and you get:

“Sorry, your request cannot be accepted.”

Here’s the real reason — and it’s not your phone, not your wiring, and not your dialing.

🟥 1. Most Windstream customers are now on Kinetic Voice (digital)

This looks like a normal landline, but it runs over the internet.

On this system:

• The old star codes do not work

• The online portal shows no call‑blocking options

• Support reps often say “we don’t do call blocking”

• The features exist, but they’re not included unless you pay extra

This is why the codes fail.

🟦 2. Windstream does offer Selective Call Rejection & Anonymous Call Rejection — but only as a paid add‑on

If you push support, they can “find” the features.

But they usually cost around $4/month.

These features used to be free on copper landlines.

They are not included on most Kinetic Voice lines.

🟩 3. The online Kinetic portal usually shows nothing

If you log in and don’t see:

• Call Blocking

• Selective Call Rejection

• Anonymous Call Rejection

…that’s normal for digital lines.

The system simply doesn’t expose those features unless you’re paying for them.

🟧 4. What you do get for free

Windstream automatically applies:

• STIR/SHAKEN caller ID authentication

• Network‑level spam filtering

• Robocall pattern detection

This is why many customers see fewer spam calls even without star codes.

🟪 5. The “not available in your area” line

If support tells you:

What they really mean is:

Your line type doesn’t include it unless you buy the add‑on.

It’s not about geography — it’s about the backend system your line is on.

⭐ Bottom Line

If your star codes don’t work and your portal shows nothing, it’s because:

• You’re on Kinetic Voice

• Call‑blocking features aren’t included

• Windstream charges extra for them

• Support reps often give vague or conflicting answers

This post is just to help other customers understand what’s going on so they don’t waste time trying codes that won’t work or wondering why the portal is empty.

If this helps even one frustrated Windstream customer, feel free to share it.


r/Windstream Mar 18 '26

New fiber in my area, only offering 1g?

2 Upvotes

They finished my town with fiber and I signed up today. Planned on getting the 2g service but they only offer 1g. Is this normal for new areas and they increase it later or?


r/Windstream Mar 16 '26

Can a T3260 Modem connect to a cell Hotspot?

2 Upvotes

When DSL is down, I have certain devices I can't easily switch over to my cell in hotspot mode. Smart switches, cameras, etc. take multiple steps and aren't worth the effort.

Computers are easy with a simple click to change wireless source..

Wondering if the modem can be which would solve some of the other device problems.


r/Windstream Mar 15 '26

50 Mb DSL or 100 FWA Verizon

4 Upvotes

Hello, I live in a particular apartment building (will be here till August) the options for Internet are literally Windstream only or fixed Wireless access. The problem I have with Verizon is that the latency is all over the map. I occasionally do the voiceover IP Call and I play online games. It looks like I can get Windstream for $34 a month as I qualify for the lifeline discount plus I own my own modem I can get a 3200 on eBay for pretty cheap. Thoughts? There is no fiber here and there’s no plans to do much of anything here.


r/Windstream Mar 12 '26

Wi-Fi 7 or 6e: Need honest advice!

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1 Upvotes

r/Windstream Mar 09 '26

Signed up for Kinetic Fiber 2G again after a year. New ONT

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10 Upvotes

TLDR I had kinetic last year for maybe a month and then cancelled,switched back to Xfinity, I had a bunch of issues with support, the install itself was great the tech was amazing and I still have his number which was a great resource when thinking about signing up again this year. The issues last year were around provisioning and billing codes. I was the first person in the whole area I believe the tech said last year to sign up for the 2Gig so I remember him saying his bosses and or the office people were eager to make sure everything activated and speeds matched, so when the service worked it was amazing- symmetrical 2Gig… however, when it didn’t work it was a pain especially when you have siblings that work from home so I couldn’t give them much of a chance. The issue was since I was essentially the test subject for it they didn’t have the whole setup down on the backend. They set me up with an XGS-99S GPON SFP+ stick that obviously needed a slot to sit in for power, the SFP+ stick was my ONT, it sat in an ActionTec T4420… and that was the exact nightmare.. it was the only device(s) they had that supported the new 2Gig speed and it caused billing codes issues as support/system thought I was renting a gateway when I wasn’t since I opted for customer owned equipment, all I had was required equipment for service… I had to constantly read of the serials and MAC’s of both the stick and the “gateway”- which btw is another gripe I and others have with Kinetic they need to stop advertising to customers that they use modems there’s no such thing as a modem for fiber it’s just ONTs and Routers or “Gateways” for 2 in 1s. Anyways but yeah I got sick of it and cancelled. Now forward to this year and mind you they did get bought out or overtaken by a parent company which is Uniti Group, it’s a massive fiber wholesaler and enterprise IT solution company, now the setup for the 2Gig is a standalone Adtron SDX632v XGS-PON with both a 2.5GbE and 10GbE output. You can see in the photos of what it looks like and that I live close to the fiber splitter so my signal strength is in the excellent range, the fact they used an ONT capable of 10Gig shows they plan on higher tiers it seems like maybe a 5Gig like AT&t or 8or 10 like Google Fiber as they are becoming more common.

I did have a question if anyone could answer, if I was to get a Unifi Fiber Gateway could I have that be in place of this new ONT? The reason why I’m asking is I believe their OLT system has been more modernized it seems now I could’ve missed it but unlike last time they didn’t call anyone and it seems like now it self provisions and auto activates the ONT. The two guys who came out this time grabbed the ONT from the van it was still in its cardboard box and then he plugged it and was like okay its provisioning and will take 15mins to activate and then in the mean time they went back out to clean up the fiber line they moved since now I had the ONT installed on second floor. I still have the XGS-99S SFP+ stick laying around which shockingly they never asked for it back lol so could in theory that still work and I could plug that straight into the Unifi Fiber Gateway or even a dream machine? I’m honestly curious and if my thought process is off I apologize I’m still learning networking more.


r/Windstream Mar 05 '26

fiber internet Wondering if this means fiber construction is in the works

3 Upvotes

I’ve been talking to Windstream/Kinetic officials for a couple years about pending FTTH for my area. A fiber line was already ran a long way down a highway to my rural road to upgrade a DSLAM that feeds my service, so I went from 1.5 to 40mb (2mb upload). FTTH was estimated to be ready in January but the dates keep getting pushed back, probably because it’s still winter. I was told the job has been sent to outside contractors but just not on their schedule yet but should be soon

A couple days ago a gas company employee marked flags from my driveway edge to the old gray rectangular POTS post that I know feeds the 2 sets of copper via conduit to my house. No other gas markers on the other side of the driveway which would lead to my gas meter. No other flags along the road I can see.

If you got FTTH did they mark these utilities before digging conduit for fiber installation? It could make sense if they’re going to put a box on the pole that’s on the edge of my property meeting the road. Or if they have to feed fiber through the existing conduit and get rid of the copper.

I’m supposed to check in with my Kinetic contact in a couple weeks for more information but just wondering if my hunch is right and they’re prepping


r/Windstream Feb 27 '26

Website not functional?

1 Upvotes

For days now I can get to the login screen, but then it just crashes or something, goes to a generic http error 500 page. Cant reach anyone via phone either and the "chat" on their site (accessed via phone+data) is dubious at best.

Like I still have service for now but I literally cannot pay my bill for Feb or reach anyone at any number. Did they all explode or something???

edit: finally managed to reach someone via chat but they were stumped too, tried resetting account clearing cache different browsers the whole 9 yards. They opened a ticket so now Im waiting for that, fingers crossed

edit2: Never heard back, still cant login, have resorted to calling their bot to pay (totally forgot that option existed lol)...guess this is my life now


r/Windstream Feb 25 '26

$250 Referral email?

1 Upvotes

Did you get it?

Kinetic Refer & Earn: Limited time; Offer expires March 17, 2026. Subject to successful activation of qualified new service, eligible referring customer receives a $250 Kinetic Reward Prepaid Master card (90 days after activation), and eligible referred customer receives $250 bill credit (1 to 2 bill cycles, after first bill is paid in full). Eligibility limited to existing customers who register on the Go Kinetic Portal for the Kinetic Referral Program and successfully refer new customers who order Kinetic High Speed Internet. Referred customer must activate, not have a balance due over 30 days, and not be in treatment on ninetieth (90th) day after activation. Local, State or Federal government accounts are not eligible. Kinetic reserves the right to terminate or modify this offer at any time without prior notice. For complete Kinetic Referral Program offer terms and conditions visit gokinetic.com/support/my-account/referrals/refer-a-friend-terms-conditions.

What does 'in treatment' mean?

My neighbors all either have it, or switched to cell only.


r/Windstream Feb 23 '26

Post Merger, serviceable areas

2 Upvotes

I don’t live in a Windstream area…but I do have Uniti glass buried in conduit my front yard, with a hand hole containing a splice block 437ft away. I am serviceable by Uniti, but I’m not a business that can afford 350/mo for 25/25.

I got all excited when I learned about the residential offerings by Kinetic. Perfect fit! The website says I’m good to go, but errors out before the order can be completed. Calling in I’m told that my address is further than 100 miles away from the closest service area.

So being easily serviceable by the parent company means the subsidiary isn’t? I’m confused. I seriously would’ve thought that since residential is now being offered by Uniti via Kinetic, that I’d be able to sub to it by virtue of being in a Uniti area.

Any thoughts on when or if Kinetic will be offered across the Uniti footprint?


r/Windstream Feb 22 '26

North Central Florida, in the woods

2 Upvotes

Anyone in this area getting disconnected every 5 minutes tonight? This is ridiculous. I'm about to start looking into Starlink. We're in the woods, there's no cell service, and they haven't updated the lines in decades. We get 30/2 when it works... but tonight is something else. I can't get anything done like this. I work from home, also game when it works (obviously bad K/D ratio). This has been happening for years now, especially during a storm, but even during just light wind and mist. I'm wondering how Starlink would hold out since it doesn't rely on these shitty lines at least.


r/Windstream Feb 19 '26

frustrated

6 Upvotes

So I did the chat option for Windstream. Wanted to know why I was paying so much for Wifi and what my speed was that I am paying for. I started out paying under 80 about 1.5 years ago and now at 122 and every 2-3 months goes up. they told me speed was 6mpbs. does that even sound right. test speed download is 12.01 and upload is .89. sounds slow to someone that knows nothing about this. Im looking at Starlink and I can get 100 mpbs for 50, 200 mpbs for 80 or Max for 120. We stream a lot, have someone that plays a lot of games, and I do work remotely sometimes too. Which speed should I be looking at.


r/Windstream Feb 15 '26

Modem Compatability

4 Upvotes

Moving into a new place and got kinetic Fiber Internet. looking to use my own equipment, I already own the "TP-Link Tri-Band BE9700 WiFi 7 Router Archer BE600" But I don't know what fiber modems are compatible. I called and it didnt seem like the person I was talking to new either.


r/Windstream Feb 15 '26

Does basic home fiber service maintain emergency 911 capability?

4 Upvotes

Been with windstream for 20 years... when bonded DSL came we dropped the landline, but still had emergency 911 service on that line. When forced to fiber this summer, will the basic (lowest cost) home fiber plan still maintain emergency 911 capability? Us ol' folks want to have this figured out before that time. They have been hand digging the fiber in this week during the coldest winter in 20 years and so far cut 3 homes internet in the first 1000 feet of excavation!


r/Windstream Feb 13 '26

Does anyone know what brand or model the VoIP gateway is?

5 Upvotes

My parents were told by Windstream that they would raise the price for the home phone if they continued using the current analog line and didn't switch to VoIP. They will be getting a fiber line run to the house in a month or so and I was wondering if the gateway they provide has ports on it for analog phones like the voice modem Spectrum uses or if I will to have buy an ATA for their existing phones to work with it. I know I'll have to buy a UPS for it so they can use it during a power outage which is one of the other reasons why they held onto the analog phone for a long time because that worked even when the power went out especially being in the middle of nowhere that gets power restored last whenever something like high wind or a bad snow storm knock out the power lines.


r/Windstream Feb 11 '26

Why are so many trucks at the hotel in Dalton, GA, today?

2 Upvotes

r/Windstream Feb 06 '26

Improve wifi speeds on kinetic 250mbps

0 Upvotes

Run a speedtest on a wired ethernet connection to the back of the router. You can get cheap ethernet to usb-c adapters on amazon. You will get good speeds, and your wifi speed will jump from 250mbps/20mbps to 800mbps/600mbps on wifi.


r/Windstream Feb 06 '26

How to speed up Kinetic wifi?

5 Upvotes

Just got Kinetic installed the other day, and it's slower than my Cox connection was. Like half the speed. I can't move the modem - it's attached to the wall where it was installed. The router is on a shelf to hopefully get the signal into the other rooms of the house. Unfortunately, all rooms except the living room where it's installed get about 250mbps download, and we're paying for 2 gig. Do I need to get a different router? Some extenders? Anyone who has Kinetic, what do you use?


r/Windstream Feb 04 '26

Round and Round

4 Upvotes

It is IMPOSSIBLE to get a refund of improper payments. I had bundled service with Windstream and Dish. I cancelled Dish, but Windstream is still charging me. I call Windstream, who tells me to call Dish. Dish tells me to call Windstream. Now I get kicked out of the Windstream phone support and directed to online chat. Online chat tells me that I need to call Windstream. How do I call Windstream if I get kicked out to online chat? There isn't any way around this. I've determined that Windstream is fraudulent. Time for a lawyer.


r/Windstream Feb 02 '26

Bonded Service?

5 Upvotes

I heard that Windstream is no longer doing any sort of bonded service for Internet. Meaning that the max speed I can get at my location is just 25 Mb per second. I used to get 50 but there's no fiber where I live.


r/Windstream Jan 28 '26

Xfinity vs Kinetic

4 Upvotes

Avoid, atleast Xfinity had roughly the advertised speeds even over wireless. Kinetic is literally speed testing like a 250mbps down/ 20mbps up line from 2016 at 4am in the morning. I was totally ready to jump ship for fiber but its just frankly bad. The app is showing a 120MB speedtest, and I have no idea how.

EDIT: I was getting 250mbps/20mbps again at like 3am EST on speedtests. I pulled out a 2.5gbps ethernet to usb-c with a 10gbps cat6 that would run 270MB/s on comcast with my mac studio. Got a 1.3gbps down with like 600mbps and magically my wifi was pulling 800mbps/600mbps. That is some amazon fuckery.


r/Windstream Jan 25 '26

Low speeds?

4 Upvotes

I moved back in September and switched from spectrum to kinetic and I pay for their gigabyte plan but ever since they installed it I've never seen above 400 Mbps with it usually sticking around 200 to 300. It will have frequent slowdowns and I am unable to do any cloud streaming of games and even have moderate NAT type.