“Have you tried turning it off and on again?” If you are experiencing problems with your Internet connection or Wi-Fi, such as a flaky connection or even no access to the Internet at all, you’ll likely be asked this if you call technical support. It’s true, you may just need a reboot (if you’re lucky). Otherwise, some troubleshooting could fix things. Here we provide some tips for troubleshooting your Internet connection problems.
First and foremost, it may sound redundant but try rebooting your router. Ridiculous as it may sound, the lowly reboot is the solution to many problems. So whether websites are failing to load, everything network-related seems slow, connections are dropping, or your wireless is flaking out, many routers seem to need the occasional reboot to continue working at maximum capacity. The process is simple, unplug the router’s power cable, wait a few seconds and then plug it back in.
Next, check that all cables are plugged in properly and securely.
If you are still experiencing problems, then overheating could be the culprit. Routers oftentimes fall prey to overheating which can damage them or make them unstable. If a router feels very hot, it’s not getting enough airflow meaning that the vents are blocked or it is sitting in a very hot location. Try moving it to a better location.
Another reason to move your router is if you are experiencing Wi-Fi signal issues. Ensure nothing is blocking the wireless signal like a large metal filing cabinet or other devices such as microwaves which could interfere. As for the antenna, ensure it’s pointing vertically versus horizontally.
If your office is in a building that has several wireless routers in the vicinity, there is likely interference happening. You need to determine the best wireless channel for your area and change the router accordingly to a less congested channel.
Another option is to try resetting the router to its factory default settings. It’s possible that someone may have mistakenly changed certain settings. Bear in mind this step does require that you also reconfigure your router again as well, meaning resetting your name and password.
If none of these steps make a difference then it’s likely you have a broken router or a cable is damaged. In other words, you may have to invest in a new router. Note that flashing green lights on the router are normal but a blinking orange light indicates a problem. If you are experiencing ongoing problems that are causing frustration in the workplace, it’s time to call CORE. We can tell you whether the problem is on your end or due to an external issue and we’ll ensure you won’t experience the problem in the future.
