There’s nothing more frustrating that loading your browser only to see an “Address Not Found” message staring back at you. Time out errors or that dreaded red X on network connection icon all signal that something’s wrong with your Internet connection. There are many reasons why your connection could be disabled so it might take some time to find and fix the problem. The following five super simple steps will help to restore your connection 95% percent of the time. If you happen to fall within that 5%, well it could be time to call your service provider. But try these tips before you do.
Check the Wires
The most obvious troubleshooting step is to check all the wire cables associated with your internet connection. Start with the wires on the outside. There you’ll need to check for breaks in the wire that might have been caused by squirrels or birds. Follow the lines into and all through the house until you get to the router. Check the connections on the router to see that they’re in the right place. You should have a system in place to keep track of all the cables if the router feeds different computers and gaming systems. If all seems okay with the cables and wires, your next step would be to power cycle the modem.
Power Cycling
Power cycling is just a fancy term for powering off your modem, waiting a few seconds, and turning it back on. This method can be used for DSL, satellite, or cable internet. Disconnect the power cord from the back of the modem or use the power button on the front. Plug it back in after 30-60 seconds and wait for the modem to go through its usual boot sequence. An advanced power cycle might be in order if the connection is not restored. To do this, you’ll need to switch off the computer, and unplug the power cords from the modem, router, hub and access point. Wait 30-60 seconds again and power on all the devices leaving the computer for last.
Troubleshooting Satellite Internet Connections
For satellite internet connections, obstacles in the line of sight could affect your connection. Check for trees, snow, debris or anything else that might be obstructing the signal. Something as unexpected as a thunderstorm taking place miles away could affect your internet. If there are no obstructions and no report of storms in and around your area, then your dish might need to be realigned by the ISP. Call them up because it is never a good idea to attempt this on your own.
Troubleshooting Wireless Router Outages
Don’t rule out issues with the wireless connection if you use a wireless router. You’ll probably need to use a cable to connect to the internet in the interim, but before you make the switch here are some steps you can try to restore your service. Configuration problems: To troubleshoot this you’ll need to consult wireless device user manual to find and fix the settings. Your ISP will also need to help with this as the settings are unique for every network. Security problems: Enter your security password and adjust the security settings if they’re affecting your connection.
Last Ditch Efforts To Troubleshoot Your Broadband
The wrong kind of cables could wreak havoc with your internet connection. For instance, don’t use crossover cables to connect your network to your computer. Check your computer’s network configuration to see if the problem lies there. Some operating systems will run diagnostics and fix any issues. Finally, the problem could actually be your ISP. Call up support and they’ll let you know if they’re experiencing a service outage. If not, they’ll walk you through some of the steps outlined above or send out a technician to your home. If you are still having trouble you can try usave.co.uk broadband comparison.
The autor of this article Steve Brown shares lots of tips and tricks and provides details on the top 10 broadband routers and laptops on uSwitch.
