How To Fix Your WiFi
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This issue pops up a lot, so today, I’m offering tips on How to Fix My WiFi in this blog. Required to check our email, go on Facebook, Google a dinner recipe, or stream our favorite shows, we rely on a consistent internet connection in today’s age. We often take it for granted until that horrible icon pops up to let us know we aren’t connected to the WiFi, or worse, we have a connection but no internet.
That’s when the panic begins to set in because we can’t Google how to fix it.
Of course, you can always call Clark Computer Services to come out and take care of the issue, but if you’d like to do a little troubleshooting on your own, here are some steps you can take to potentially resolve the issue.
1. CHECK WIFI CONNECTIONS FOR OTHER DEVICES
The first step of troubleshooting is easy, check to see if your other computers or phone connected to the internet have access. This can tell you if it is an issue with your WiFi or with your device only. If your other devices are connected, try restarting the device that isn’t connecting. Also, ensure that your WiFi on the phone is on, connected to the correct WiFi network, and that airplane mode is off.
Try running a speed test if things are just running slow or some devices are working and others are not. This will help you determine where the problem lies. A low speed can make it seem like your internet is down.
2. POWER CYCLE
While it is a running joke in the IT industry, it is always important to start your troubleshooting by turning the devices on and off again. Most of the time, unplugging your router and waiting five seconds before replugging will fix your connection issues. After replugging, it will take a few minutes for the network to come back up, so wait until you see the network. If it still isn’t working after this step, or you can’t see the network after 10 minutes, this is a sign to further your troubleshooting.
3. CHECK FOR AN OUTAGE
Before further troubleshooting, it’s worth checking to see if everybody has the same issue. Internet is routed to your house through cables that run alongside the power and electricity, and the cables will fork off to a selection of houses near you. It is possible that in the case of bad weather, a car accident, or human error, a line may be down. Visit the website of your internet service provider (ISP) to see if there is an outage in your area.
Here are links for common ISP outages in the area.
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/check-service-outage
4. QUICK FIXES
There are many reasons your internet may not be working. The first three steps presented here are the most common fixes, but here is a list of other options you can try:
- The website you want to use is down – try opening a different webpage or browser and see if that works
- If you’re using wireless, click “Forget This Network” and log onto the wireless network again
- Your internet may be overloaded – if multiple people are online or you’re streaming on multiple devices, try kicking people off or shutting down the streaming devices
- Your router is misconfigured and needs reset – find the small reset button and use a paperclip to hold it down. You will then be able to set up the router as if you were installing a new one
5. WHEN IN DOUBT
Once you’ve reached the end of your troubleshooting knowledge, it may be time to contact your internet service provider (ISP). There is always the possibility an unpaid balance or unreported outage has shut your internet off. If none of these steps work, or you don’t have the time to sit on the phone with Comcast or Verizon, give us a call at 301-456-6931 or email us at [email protected]
At Clark Computer Services, we are always happy to represent our clients and work with your ISP to get you up and running. Taking responsibility for the issue and dealing with vendors is one of the services our clients appreciate most.
Being raised by Clark’s owner, Darren, I have always been immersed in the world of technology. However, I have always followed it from a distance. I went to college to get my degree in Business Finance and Applied Economics, as I have always been a fan of research and statistics. I was even lucky enough to get my senior thesis in economics published. My next string of luck was getting a job straight out of college as a Researcher in Richmond, VA. I was able to pursue research and publish dozens of news articles in my field. Now, I am so excited to delve back into the world of technology that I was raised in, and look forward to honing my research in the technological field.
