Troubleshooting Your Internet Connection
From time to time everyone runs into problems connecting to the internet. Our lives are now so dependent on this connection that even being disconnected for only 5 minutes during the business day is aggravating.
Here are some basic troubleshooting steps you can take to fix the problem on your own.
Computers Connected to a Network with an Ethernet Cable
1) Reboot. It’s a cliché at this point, but you would be surprised how effective it can be.
2) If the restart did not work unplug the power from your broadband modem, count backwards from 10, plug the power back in, wait 3 minutes and try browsing to a website. If you still have no success move onto to step 3.
3) Call your ISP to confirm that they are not experiencing any outages in your area. They can also run remote diagnostics on your modem/router to detect any problems. If all is good with your broadband connection try step 4.
4) This may seem obvious, but make sure that your Ethernet cable is plugged into the back of your computer firmly. Unplug and then plug back in the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port in the back of your computer. Press firmly.
5) Now confirm that the other end of that Ethernet cable is plugged firmly into the wall jack. Depending on your environment it may plug directly into a switch. Make sure the cable is plugged into the switch. Restart the switch by unplugging the power cord, wait 5 seconds and plug it back in.
6) After confirming your cable connection is good you need to check the network interface connection or NIC on your computer. On Windows 10 right click on Start > Network Connections > right click on Ethernet > select Diagnose. Windows will detect and attempt to repair the connection if there is a problem.
At this point if you are still experiencing problems it is best to contact your IT support company.
Computers Connected to a Network Wirelessly
1) As with a cabled connection, reboot. Sometimes you get lucky!
2) If the restart did not work unplug the power from your broadband modem, count backwards from 10, plug the power back in, wait 3 minutes and try browsing to a website. If you still have no success move onto to step 3.
3) Call your ISP to confirm that they are not experiencing any outages in your area. They can also run remote diagnostics on your modem/router to detect any problems. If all is good with your broadband connection try step 4.
4) In Windows 10 right click on the wireless antenna icon in the system tray (lower right of desktop) select > Troubleshoot. Select the results option that applies to your situation.
5) If you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network at all and the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray has a red X or caution sign on it; type “settings” in the search box and hit enter.
6) When the Settings window opens select > Network and Internet. Make sure Wi-Fi is ON.
7) Next, in the Network and Internet Window select “Manage Wi-Fi Settings”
8) Scroll down to “Manage know networks” and left click on your Wi-Fi network. Select “Forget.” Close the window.
9) Now, left click on the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and select your Wi-Fi network, check the box “connect automatically” and then click the “Connect” button. Enter your password when prompted.
Confirm that you are connected to the internet by browsing to a few different websites. If you cannot browse websites contact your IT support company.