10 Tips If You Can’t Connect to the Internet

Are you overlooking the observable?

Remove or loose network cables are easy to miss yet one of the most common reasons you might unexpectedly find yourself unable to connect to the Internet. That's not a dilemma on wireless networks, but on most laptops the Wi-Fi radio can be unintentionally shut off instead. On home networks, it's also possible someone removed the router.

Action - Make sure your wired or wireless network hardware is switched on and plugged in.

Rule Out False Alarms 

What may appear to be a network problem connecting to the Internet is at times simply a Web site (or whatever server is on the other end of the connection) being momentarily offline.

Action - Before deciding your Internet connection is defective, try visiting some famous Web sites rather than just one.

Avoid IP Address Conflicts

If your computer and another on the network both have the same IP address, the variance between them will put off either from working properly online.

Action - To solve an IP conflict, go through these instructions to change and renew your IP address. If your network utilizes static IP addresses, physically change your IP to another number. 

About Computer Firewall Malfunctions

Firewall software running on most computers is planned to prevent unwanted network traffic from disturbing its operation. Unluckily, these software firewalls can malfunction and start blocking valid Internet traffic. When two software firewalls, such as Windows Firewall plus a third-party product, are installed on the same computer, disputation between the two can also mistakenly block traffic.

Action - If you've recently installed or upgraded software firewalls on your computer, momentarily disable them to decide whether it may be the cause of Internet connection problems.

Are You Outside of Wireless Signal Range?

The performance of Wi-Fi network connections depends on distance between the device and the wireless access point. The further away a Wi-Fi device, the slower the local connection usually runs, until it breaks altogether. Wireless signal intervention in the area can also limit the efficient range of a Wi-Fi connection. When you're incapable to reach the access point, you also can't connect to the Broadband.

Action - Use one of these options to measure the strength of your wireless signal and try these ideas to expand the range of your Wi-Fi. 

Has Your Wireless Network Configuration Changed?

Wi-Fi networks with encryption options like WPA or WEP turned on require computers to use matching security keys when connecting. If someone changes the encryption keys or passphrase on the access point, devices that worked before will out of the blue be unable to establish sessions and Internet connections. Similarly (though less likely), if the access point settings are changed to require using a specific Wi-Fi channel number, some computers may be not capable to discover it.

Action - Confirm the Wi-Fi channel number and encryption keys on your router have not lately changed (check with the network administrator if necessary). When using a hotspot, follow the provider's instructors for signing on carefully.

Look for Broadband Router or Access Point Malfunctions

Home networks that use broadband routers are easier to administer than those without one, but technical glitches with the router can also put off computers from connecting to the Internet. Router failures are raised by overheating, excessive traffic, or simply an older accessory. Usual symptoms of a crumbling router include computers on the network not being able to obtain IP addresses, or the router console not responding to requests.

Action - Check the router's lights and console if possible to make sure it is running and responding properly. Troubleshoot and reset the router if needed.

Are You Being Blocked By Your ISP?

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can decide to block access from your account if you fail to make payment or otherwise breach the provider's Terms of Service. Particularly when using paid hotspots that charge by the hour or day, occasionally people forget to keep their subscription updated. Other common reasons an ISP might block your account include exceeding bandwidth caps, sending spam email, and downloading illegal or inappropriate content.

Action - Contact your ISP if you think your account has been blocked.

Handle Computer Glitches

Computers, too, put up with from technical glitches. Although relatively uncommon nowadays, a computer's network adapter hardware might rapidly fail due to overheating or age. Failures in the operating system software that control the adapter, on the other hand, can occur commonly especially with computers that are greatly used. Viruses and worms also may hinder or block a computer's network interfaces from functioning properly. Finally, if using a laptop or other mobile device, transporting it from one location to another can corrupt the state of its network.

Action - Check the computer for malware and remove any found. On Windows computers, try resetting the network connection. Reboot the computer if necessary.

Call Your Internet Service Provider

Those using satellite Internet service may notice they can't connect to the Internet during periods of very bad weather. Providers in dense urban areas (including cellular Internet carriers) sometimes are unable to support peaks in network traffic that causes sporadic outages for some customers. Finally, those who subscribe to newer or more complex forms of Internet services (such as fixed wireless broadband) may experience more downtime than others as providers encounter more issues with relatively less mature equipment.

Action - If everything fails, contact your Internet provider to validate whether they are experiencing an outage. Some providers also give advice on troubleshooting problems connecting to their network.