Internet down again? Try these tips to get back online

If your home internet connection drops out, the most common culprit is a problem with your modem or router. The fix is ​​simple: reboot your device by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds, then plugging it back in and rebooting it. This will often fix your Wi-Fi disconnections.

When rebooting your router, we recommend unplugging it and powering it off, rather than pressing or holding a button on the device itself. This will hard reset the device, returning it to its factory settings and wiping your Wi-Fi network settings. A reset may help re-establish your Internet connection, but it will also add extra work to setting up your Wi-Fi again.

Please note that your device may have a battery backup, so if the lights don’t go out when you unplug your modem or router, check to see if there’s a battery installed somewhere and try temporarily removing it while you restart the device.

Maybe the internet isn’t necessarily “unavailable,” it just can’t handle what you’re trying to do and where you’re doing it.

Constant buffering, excessive lag, Wi-Fi dead zones, and other connection issues can be caused by insufficient speed or Wi-Fi coverage to handle all of your devices. There are two ways to remedy this: reduce your internet usage or upgrade.

Consider the internet speed you need and determine whether your current plan will give you that speed. If your current plan doesn’t give you the speed you need, your best option is to upgrade to a faster plan (if available). Many cable and fiber optic internet providers offer speeds of 1 Gigabit per second or faster, which is more than enough for the average home.

On the other hand, if your current plan seems to meet your needs, the problem may lie with your equipment. Run a few speed tests around your home to see what your speeds are and where the Wi-Fi signal is weak. Sometimes simply moving your router to a more efficient location can improve your connection quality and eliminate or at least reduce dead zones.

If not, we recommend investing in a more powerful router or Wi-Fi extender to boost your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home. If you rent equipment from your provider, ask if you can get a more powerful device.

Try adjusting your router settings

Your router can direct connected devices to a specific pod or extender (if you have one), or between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 5GHz band has a stronger signal, but only if the device is within range (5GHz has a shorter range than 2.4GHz). So if you’re experiencing weak connection quality on a particular device, try switching the band for that device or moving some of your other devices off the band you’re using.

Use a wired connection

Connecting directly to your modem, router, or pod/extender with an Ethernet cable is the best way to establish and maintain a strong connection. When possible, use wired connections for your most bandwidth-hungry devices, like your smart TV or games console. This often results in a better and faster connection, as well as reducing the strain on your Wi-Fi network.

A network breach is a less likely but still possible cause for an internet outage: if a hacker gains access to your Wi-Fi network, they could completely restrict internet access to some or all of your devices.

If you suspect that someone has compromised your network, immediately go into your router’s settings and recreate your Wi-Fi network with a different network name (ideally) and a different password (never). Choose a complex or random password so it’s hard for hackers to guess.

Create a strong password and keep all firmware for your router and connected devices up to date to prevent hacking attempts. Installing antivirus software can also help protect your devices; many ISPs offer virus and malware protection at no extra charge.

Yes, nature can have a negative effect on your internet connection. Some types of internet connections are more susceptible to internet outages than others during bad weather, but heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, or thick clouds can disrupt your signal.

While satellite internet is most susceptible to weather-related internet outages, a power outage can knock any connection type offline. Having a modem and router with a battery backup can help you stay connected during a power outage, but that’s no use if the power outage prevents internet service from reaching your modem in the first place.

If you have satellite internet, a rain or snow shelter or dish heater can help prevent bad weather from causing outages near your home. Signal interference can occur anywhere between the satellite and the dish, but even if you’re miles away, heavy clouds or rain can affect your connection. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about an internet outage like this other than wait for the signal to return.

Despite the negative perceptions many people have of internet providers, widespread ISP outages are rare and single-home outages are almost unheard of (unless, of course, someone forgot to pay their bill). Still, it’s possible that your provider is the problem.

If your internet is completely unavailable and you have already tried rebooting your router to no avail, check your provider’s social media pages, official website, downdector.com or other sources for updates and outage reports. You can also call customer service, but be prepared to be put on hold for long periods of time.

Other than confirming that your ISP has a problem, there is nothing you can do in this situation other than wait for service to be restored. Service outages bring bad publicity, so rest assured that ISPs are doing everything they can to restore service as quickly as possible.

True outages do happen, but they’re rare. Network congestion, on the other hand, is a more common issue that doesn’t necessarily drop your connection entirely, but it can definitely slow down your speeds. Cable, DSL, and satellite internet are susceptible to network congestion, as is 5G home internet. T-Mobile acknowledges that network congestion can lead to slower speeds, saying, “During congestion, home internet customers may experience slower speeds than customers using other T-Mobile services due to data prioritization.”

A congested network means slower speeds coming to your home, so there’s not much you can do about it other than wait for the congestion to clear up. However, you can make the most of your speeds by placing your router in the best location, tweaking your Wi-Fi settings, and using an Ethernet connection as mentioned above.

There are a number of factors that can affect your Internet connection. The first and most likely problem is with your equipment. Restarting your modem/router will often fix the issue.

Other reasons for frequent internet disconnections include insufficient speed, network congestion, bad weather, etc. Your ISP could be experiencing outages, but if you’re experiencing frequent connection drops, we recommend you explore the above causes, starting with your router.

Many providers offer compensation for long or frequent outages. For example, Spectrum offers a “pro rata credit for covered outages lasting four or more consecutive hours.” Call to report the outage as soon as possible, and monitor how long the outage lasts before claiming a refund.

Not always, but probably. A power outage doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t have internet service to your home, but it might limit your internet usage. Unless your modem and router are powered, a power outage will disable these devices and prevent you from connecting to the internet.