Abstract: In a cable modem system, a method and apparatus is provided to reduce the time to ascertain modem failure by sensing ranging nonresponses and increasing the frequency of the ranging invitations upon detection of a predetermined number of nonresponses. The increased frequency of ranging invitations decreases the time required to ascertain modem failure, modem failure being defined to be a predetermined number of nonresponses, for instance 16. In so doing, a system is provided which minimizes the bandwidth necessary for rapid modem failure detection.