One of the most frustrating things that can happen when you are using your computer – either at home or at work – is to have an unreliable internet connection. Like any IT problem, it’s good to get a basic understanding of what’s going on and have a few strategies up your sleeve to test the most common issues …. and hopefully this will help you to resolve the problem without too much hassle or fuss.
Before I go any further – there’s an important basic concept to get your head around. I’ve seen lots of people get confused about this – your Wifi network is different to ‘The Internet’. Your Wifi can be working perfectly, and you might not have any internet (or vice versa). You receive data from your Internet Service Provider (someone like Telstra or Optus – most often via the NBN), and your connection to your devices in your home or work is where your Wifi network comes in.
So the first thing you need to do is to work out where the problem lies – is it the NBN? is it your internet service provider (ISP) having a problem? is it an issue with logging on and accessing your ISP? or is it an issue with your own technology (your laptop or PC hardware, wireless blackspots, or interference with your Wifi network?
Get to know what the lights mean on your NBN box and Modem
The majority of modem’s will have a series of indicator lights on the outside – and these will normally be able to give you a pretty good idea of where your problem lies. At its most basic, you should be able to quickly tell if your modem is connected to your ISP/NBN, if your wireless network is transmitting, and if your data flows are operating as they should (in most cases it’s as simple as green lights vs orange or red lights). From these lights, you should be able to tell if you aren’t getting data from the NBN, if your wireless network isn’t working. If you have all green – then it suggests the problem lies with your device or potential blackspots in your home or business.
Switch everything off, then back on again
Yep, sounds simplistic. This applies more to the home environment, rather than the work environment – but if it’s more of a one-off internet issue, then try turning off the entire chain that represents your internet connect – your NBN box, your modem and/or router, and your laptop or PC. Power them back up in this order – NBN, Modem, then your device. Without getting too technical, bottlenecks and issues can occur where this is all you need to do to resolve the problem.
Open your ‘Internet and Network Settings’
This is Windows focused – but each operating system has similar functions. In Windows, open up your settings (Windows Key and “i” – then choose Internet and Network Settings) – you should see a window similar to the image below. What is this screen telling you about your connection? Are you connected to your wireless network? Perhaps your Wifi is working but you aren’t getting internet access? This is also where you’ll find out if you have a device or hardware issue.
Use your smartphone to check for black-spots in your Wifi network and test your internet speed
Is your internet poor or dropping out in specific spots in your home or workplace? A simple way to test this is to download a speedtesting app on your smartphone and then walk around and look at speed from different areas in your ‘zone’ (making sure that your phone is using your wireless network, not it’s own mobile 3/4/5G connection). We’d recommend something like ‘Speedtest’ by Ookla. Try all the different corners of your workplace or home to test speeds and connection and work out if you have black spots. Walk to the area you want to test – then run the test from start to finish in the same spot – and make a note of the speed and signal strength – you can build a basic ‘map’ of how the speed and connectivity changes in different parts of your house or workplace.
One other thing to consider with black spots or recurring drop-outs – is there something else in your house or workplace that could be interfering with your connection? Culprits could be microwave ovens, wireless phone systems, alarm systems and generally other items/machinery that utilise wireless technology.
Check out your modem or router’s admin settings
Pretty much every modem or router has admin settings that can be accessed by going to its IP address (this doesn’t need internet but it does need your wireless network to be operational). I’m on Optus, and the IP address for my modem/router is 192.168.0.1 – if you don’t know the IP address then you will find this in your manual (or search online using your smartphone’s data quoting the model of your modem/router). This page will clearly show your connectivity status and give you pointers to issues.
Conclusion
If you still have problems and you aren’t able to resolve it through the strategies above, then this is where you’ll need to start digging a bit deeper. The key thing you’ll need to try to answer is whether it’s a hardware or setup issue with your equipment, or if it’s a connectivity issue to your provider. Of course, if the problem just isn’t your thing to sort out – then there are experts – like us – who I am sure would be happy to assist.
About WestVIC Technology
WestVIC Technology (WVT) provides IT Advice, IT Support, and a full range of IT Services for both home and business across Western Regional Victoria. We provide our services to customers in Ballarat, Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, Ballan, Melton, Daylesford, Castlemaine, Maryborough, Ararat, Stawell, Horsham, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Camperdown, Colac and other places and towns across this region.