Common Internet Connectivity Issues and Solutions

Internet Connectivity

The Internet is the lifeblood of many pieces of technology within our homes. It has been aptly compared to electricity in both its necessity and its luxury; we only remember it exists when it stops working.

When the Internet inevitably goes down or becomes slow, without the proper knowledge we are often left with only a few caveman maneuvers to get it to start working again. While blowing on a Nintendo 64 cartridge may have worked, Internet connectivity is usually more complicated. 

Here are common Internet connectivity issues and the basic troubleshooting you can use to resolve those issues. 

Slow Internet

If you are experiencing slow internet, this will manifest in things like pages loading slowly or downloads taking noticeable longer. The reason behind a slow Internet could be anything from having too many connected devices consuming your speed, having outdated hardware, or a combination of the two. 

Another culprit behind slow Internet might be the positioning of your router. If your router is not in a centralized location, the signal it is broadcasting is not being equally distributed throughout your home. 

The corresponding solutions to a slow Internet include rebooting your router and modem, replacing outdated equipment, and repositioning your router. Something to take note of is that if you are using an older router, it may not have the capacity to handle the workload of all your devices. A newer router usually has been upgraded to prevent or minimize situations where multiple devices are fighting for bandwidth.

No Internet Connection 

In the case where you are experiencing no Internet connection, you will be able to tell from network dropouts, the Wi-Fi not workings, and the obvious inability to connect to the Internet. Most devices will even tell you if there is no Internet connection. 

Some troubleshooting options you can do if you have no Internet connection is first and foremost, checking to see if your router is unplugged. Sometimes a simple fix is all that is required. 

If that doesn’t solve the problem, check to see if there are any issues with your device itself and try restarting it. You can also check to see if there are any apps on your various devices that are consuming too much bandwidth and disconnect the ones not in use.

After you have done all of the basic troubleshooting and still find yourself unsuccessful in reestablishing your Internet connection, you can contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). They can then help you determine what the root issue might be. It may be possible that the issue is your ISP itself, such as technical difficulties in your area.  

Cannot Connect to Wi-Fi 

If your devices are having trouble connecting to your Wi-Fi and your router is on, you should try using a different channel or frequency. Sometimes networks can become overcrowded and changing the frequency will allow less interference, more bandwidth, and will improve Internet connection. 

Another method you could try is resetting your Wi-Fi password. In the Korean movie Parasyte, there is this scene where the main family uses the Wi-Fi of their upstairs neighbor. They easily crack the password, because it is only ‘123456789’, and enjoy free Wi-Fi. 

Having a weak password and not resetting it habitually can lead to people ‘stealing’ your bandwidth. Moreover, you should use strong passwords to bolster your security.  

Conectrix can offer greater visibility into your existing environment, be it slow internet speeds or outdated hardware. We are committed to being a valuable asset to your organization. If you are curious about our services or how we might help your business, please contact us today.