Hi everyone,
I'm currently experiencing some frustrating issues with my Internet Service Provider (ISP), CenturyLink, here in the U.S. It seems like they might be blocking access to certain websites, specifically medical-related sites like MyChart and some video game servers. I can access general sites just fine without any issues, but as soon as I try to connect to those specific sites or games, I get connection timeouts and cannot even load a page.
The strange part is that these issues vanish when I use a VPN or my phone's data. However, I don't see this as a viable long-term solution since these are essential services for me. I've tried reaching out to CenturyLink, but their customer support seems to only lead me through automated menus, and I can't get to a human. It's really making my anxiety worse, especially since I have ongoing medical concerns and feel like I'm being blocked from urgent information.
I'm really looking for any advice or reassurance about what's going on and if there's anything I can do to address this issue without having to switch ISPs. Thanks in advance for any help!
4 Answers
It sounds like you might be dealing with an upstream routing issue rather than anything intentional from CenturyLink. It’s common for ISPs to have hiccups that can affect certain sites or services. Since everything else is working fine, I doubt they are actively blocking those domains. If the problems persist across multiple devices, there might be something wrong with your router or the way your ISP routes traffic. You could try resetting your router and see if that helps. Also, don’t hesitate to keep contacting CenturyLink; persistence can sometimes lead to better support.
Have you tested different browsers or cleared your DNS settings? Sometimes that can make a difference in connectivity issues.
It could also just be a DNS issue. Sometimes switching your DNS settings to something like Cloudflare can help with connectivity problems. Test it out and see if it helps with your access issues.
I’ll look into that, thanks! I just want to be sure I’m doing everything right with my connection.
Your guess about a potential content filtering issue might be spot on. ISPs sometimes enable features that unintentionally block certain types of traffic. If you notice that using a VPN helps, that's likely because it bypasses whatever filtering is happening. I’d recommend contacting your ISP and asking if they can check for any content filtering settings that might be impacting you.
What kind of settings should I mention to them? I’ve tried reaching them, but all I get are those annoying automated menus.
From what you’ve described, your issues could very well be linked to CenturyLink's infrastructure. If the websites are timing out, it’s less likely to be a problem on your side. ISPs can have occasional glitches in their systems. As for the VPN, it sounds like a temporary fix, but keep pushing for answers from the ISP.
I really hope they can fix this soon because I hate depending on the VPN. It makes everything feel more complicated.
If I were to look into my router settings, what should I check? I'm kind of lost since I don't change them usually, but this randomness is frustrating.