Few things are more annoying than receiving an “Address Not Found” notice on your web browser. Timed-out connections, a small red X in your network connection symbol, or an error message that reads “Internet Explorer cannot display the Web page” all point to the same depressing issue: your Internet connection isn’t working correctly.
Finding and correcting the issue is always challenging, mainly because there are so many potential points of failure. No matter what type of Internet service you use, we’ll walk you through five comparatively simple actions addressing most broadband Internet connection issues.
Check the Wires
Although it may seem obvious, checking all the cables and connections involved in your Internet connection is one of the most straightforward troubleshooting steps you can perform on your own. No matter the nature of your connection, this is true. It only takes a minute to check, even if you are certain that nothing is wrong with the wires.
Start at the point where your home’s Internet connection enters. This could be a phone line, a satellite dish antenna, or a line drop for your cable company. Verify that the wire is firmly attached and that any exterior wiring hasn’t been harmed by weather or gnawed on by animals like birds, bugs, or squirrels. Just be cautious if there are any electrical wires nearby. If you detect broken lines, don’t touch them; instead, call the cable or phone company.
Next, follow the cables throughout your home, verifying connections at all necessary intersections. If you use a router, ensure the right wire is going to the right location and check those connections. Remembering which connection goes where can be challenging if your network supplies multiple PCs or gaming consoles.
The next step to follow is to power cycle your modem if the connections and cabling appear secure.
Power Cycling
Power cycling may sound thrilling, but all it entails is turning off your modem, waiting a little while, and then turning it back on. No matter what kind of Internet connection you have—cable, DSL, or satellite—this will work. The simplest way to shut it off is to unplug the power cord from where it connects to the modem (if yours has an on/off button, that should also work). Re-plug it after roughly 30 seconds have passed. That is all it takes in some cases. You might discover that your connection is functional again after the modem has gone through its typical boot-up cycle.
Try a more complex power cycling sequence if this still needs to be fixed. Every device connected to your network needs to be powered down, followed by a specific orderly power on.
You should Unplug the power cords from your modem, router, access point, and hub after turning down your computer.
Still no connection? We’ll address your issues in the next section if you use satellite Internet service.
Using satellite internet connections to weather storms
You face a unique challenge when using a satellite Internet access provider. Line of sight is the first prospective problem. A special two-way dish is used for satellite Internet connections and must be aimed at the satellite at a very specific angle. When something gets in the way of your antenna connecting to the satellite, issues arise.
You’ll need to get to the dish to clear it off if overgrown vegetation, snow and ice, or leaves and other debris obstruct your dish. If it’s situated on the roof, this may be very challenging.
It’s probably a good idea to call your Internet service provider for assistance rather than attempting to adjust the satellite dish antenna yourself because it requires much more precise adjustment than TV dish antennas.
Failures of wireless routers
The wireless connection may be the source of your issue if you access the Internet with a laptop using a wireless access point or wireless router. Until the wireless issue is resolved, you might need to connect to your network using a cable connection. Additionally, you should keep a copy of the user manual for your wireless access point or router.
Configuration and security problems are the two main potential problems with wireless connections. To access a wireless device, check the user manual. Typically, this involves entering the device’s IP address into a Web browser. After that, you must consult the handbook to determine the correct settings. Given that the settings required will differ significantly based on your network and the kind of connection your ISP offers, you’ll need to call them for help.
The security settings on the wireless device could also bring on problems. The same method you used to access configuration also works for these options. Without the correct password, you won’t be able to access the wireless device if a wireless security protocol is activated. The password can be set and reset similarly to other settings.
You can try a few last-ditch options if none of these solutions has worked to fix your connection issue.
Additional Cable and Configuration Issues
Most likely, cat5 or cat5e Ethernet connections are used in some parts of your home network. Your attempts to connect to the Internet could only be successful if you use the right cable. Use a crossover cable to connect two computers directly only. Use straight-through cables if you’re using a hub or router to connect your devices. How do you distinguish between the two? Sometimes the manufacturer will label the crossover cables. If not, it’s a little difficult to understand (it involves checking the pairs of wires at the connectors). Try an alternative cable to see if that works, if at all feasible.
Your computer, which you’re attempting to connect to the Internet, maybe the issue. Troubleshooting a network configuration depends on the operating system, the type of connection, and other elements. If there is a problem, your computer’s network icon may show a red X or another error message. Some operating systems can self-diagnose to evaluate whether there is another problem if there is no error message and your connection is unreliable.
If everything else usually functions, your ISP may be at fault. Ask by calling its technical support number. Technical support staff members might walk you through some of the processes you already went through. They could even test your connection or reset your modem if the ISP isn’t experiencing an outage.
We hope that methods will help you to access your internet connection back.