Reasons Why Your Internet Isn’t Working
There could be any number of reasons you can’t reach the internet: The firewall might be malfunctioning, the wireless signal might be blocked or too weak to use, the router might be experiencing issues, there could be IP address conflicts . . . the list goes on. The good news is that there are 10 key steps you can take that will solve most connection issues. We’re listed them here, in order of easiest to hardest, so start with the first step and keep going until your connection is back up and running the way you like.
How to Fix Internet Connection Problems
When you experience trouble with your internet connection, it’s best to start your troubleshooting with simple solutions first and move on to more advanced fixes as needed. If you recently installed or upgraded a software firewall on your computer, temporarily disable it to determine whether it may be the cause of your internet connection problem. If you can’t reach the access point and can’t connect to the internet, measure your Wi-Fi signal strength and then boost your Wi-Fi signal. In this case, try these potential solutions:
Confirm the Wi-Fi channel number and encryption keys on your router have not recently changed (check with the network administrator if necessary). If the password was changed and you don’t remember the new one, change the password again and then update your devices so that they use the same password. You can do this by logging in to the router. When using a hotspot, carefully follow the provider’s instructions.
When this happens:
Check the router’s lights and console, if possible, to ensure it is running and responding properly. Check if you need to update your router’s firmware. Outdated firmware can cause problems for new devices trying to connect. Keeping the firmware up to date removes glitches and software hiccups. If that’s not the problem, reset the router.
Here’s how to find computer problems:
Scan your computer for malware and remove any found. On Windows computers, reset the network connection. Reboot the computer.
If you subscribe to newer or more complex forms of internet services (such as fixed wireless broadband), you may experience more downtime than others as providers encounter more issues with relatively less mature equipment.
