When You Just Can't Connect...

Don't let Internet connection issues hold you back
August 2010
by Robin Wark

Work. School. Watching TV and movies. Keeping track of friends. Finding music. The Internet is a part of many facets of our lives.

If you can't connect to the Internet, it throws a monkey wrench into your plans. You might not be able to complete projects for work or school. Or maybe you are cut off from friends via social networking sites. Perhaps you had planned to watch a certain movie or TV show or download a new song.

Getting back online fast is important. In many cases, you do not have to call an expensive professional to get you surfing again. See below for tips on troubleshooting your Internet connection issues.

Reboot: It might sound silly, but rebooting your Windows PC can often solve a variety of issues, including Internet connection problems.

Check the cable: This sounds obvious, but if the cable is loose it might still look connected. It is best to check it before doing spending time doing other troubleshooting.

Try a different web page: Your Internet connection might be fine after all. Test this by visiting multiple websites, to be sure that it isn't a webpage itself that is having problems.

Check the connection: If possible, it is a good idea to try connecting another computer to the net using the connection that is causing you trouble. This will help you determine if the problem exists with your machine's setting or perhaps the Internet Service Provider (ISP) itself.

Make use of tools: Windows users are fortunate that Microsoft packs its operating systems with helpful troubleshooting tools. In Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 all have network diagnostics tools that can be found through the Start menu. For example, in Windows 7, you can go to Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet, Network and Sharing Center, Troubleshoot problems and Internet Connections.

Wireless router trouble: Another possibility is that the trouble could be with the wireless router. If possible, try plugging directly into the router to access the Internet.

Problems can occur while using Wi-Fi in your home due to Internet connection sharing. Different computers using the same IP address can cause conflicts on the network. When having trouble with your wireless router, first check the cables and then:

Check the lights: The power and Wi-Fi status lights should be on but not blinking. Some routers have ISP connections lights and, if so, that should be steady as well. All other lights should be off or blinking.

Restart router: If there appears to be a problem with the lights, restart the router. It is good to wait at least 10 seconds after shutting the router off before starting it again. If there are still problems with the lights, try resetting the router. Most of these devices have a small reset button on the back.

Check settings: If trouble persists, check the router settings. You can do so by opening up a web browser and typing in 192.168.1.1, which will bring up a page with your router settings. For some computers, you might have to temporarily switch off your firewall. Also, you might want to check with the ISP to see which settings you should see on that page.

The loss of an Internet connection can be very frustrating. However, by following the steps above, you can troubleshoot many common issues. If you are still having trouble, it is best to call your service provider for more assistance.

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