Internet Connection Problems

Almost everyone, from kids to working professionals, use the Internet for various things. In today's modern world, everything, right from research to shopping, can be done online. It is no wonder then, that Internet users have shot up and are in the billions. With even the average Joe using the Internet for many things, it can be really irritating and frustrating when it does not work. Internet connection problems are something that affect almost all users at some point of time, and while a few of the causes are serious enough to deem the need for professionals, many of them can be simply solved with the help of a few tips and basic knowledge about Internet connections. In the following paragraphs, we have tried to outline the various problems with Internet connections that you can face, along with some troubleshooting tips.

Connection Problems with Internet

For the basics, troubleshooting Internet connection problems should be the same regardless of the type of connection you are using. That means while solutions for broadband Internet connection problems and cable Internet connection problems should not differ too much, solutions for dial up Internet connection problems might be a little difficult to come by, as this type of connection is mostly outdated. Nearly all Internet users have moved on to broadband or cable Internet. There are many reasons why your computer might not be connecting to the Internet, and when you find that this is the case, there is nothing to do but start looking for the problem. The following are some of the basic things you should check for when you have Internet connectivity problems.

Troubleshooting Internet Connection Problems

Most people tend to miss the obvious and go about calling professionals for help, only to find that a wire was left unconnected, or some setting was wrongly set. To avoid the embarrassment caused by such incidences, and to save yourself a lot of money, here are things you should look for before you even think of calling for professional help.

• The first thing you should absolutely do is to check if all the relevant cables are connected appropriately. Usually, loose or unconnected cables are one of the major reasons why Internet connectivity problems arise. Checking the cables physically for any damage is also a good idea, broken or damaged cables can also give rise to connection problems with Internet.
• If your cables are connected and not damaged, the next step you should take is to check if the Internet connection is working. By this we mean that you should check with another computer or laptop to determine if there is a setting problem in your machine or if there is a problem from your ISP itself.
• Use the Windows troubleshooting assistance on your computer to try and solve problems, if any. Running Microsoft's Network Diagnostics for Windows XP and using the Diagnose & Repair option in Windows Vista and Windows 7 can help solve some connectivity problems.
• Installation of new hardware or software can also cause connectivity problems in some cases. Restoring to a previous date, or uninstalling the software or hardware can provide a solution to the problem.
• At times, even something as simple as a reboot can help in solving Internet connection problems. This is something that most users do not think of, and should be done before trying out any other complicated solution.
• If you are connected through a modem, then checking the lights on the modem is another good way of getting to know connectivity issues. All lights on the modem should be green, a red light indicates something is wrong. If there is a red light showing on the modem, ensure that everything on your end is correct (cables, etc) before calling your ISP.

If all the above have been tried and you are still facing Internet connection problems, then chances are there that you might have to call in a professional to have a look at it. Before you do that, however, there are some advanced quick fixes you can try to get your connection working again.

• You will need to check and confirm your IP setting. For this, you will have to call the ISP (Internet Service Provider) and get the IP address and check if it matches with the one your computer has. Usually, changes in these values can cause problems with an Internet connection.
• You should also confirm if you are using a static or a dynamic IP, and mark the appropriate box in the network and connection settings. Incorrect choices for this setting will definitely cause you problems.
• Sometimes, connecting through a wireless router can cause problems with the Internet connection as well. If you are using a wireless router, try connecting to the Internet directly, i.e. without the wireless router. If you are successful, then the problem lies in the wireless settings, which will be explained later in this article.
• If all else fails, then it is time to get professional help, as an expert will be able to find out the cause without the tinkering around that you would have to do to get to the root of the problem.

Wireless Internet Connection Problems

The wireless Internet, or a Wi-Fi connection can be of great help and convenience when on the road. However, these days, with most people working from home, Wi-Fi provides portability and comfort to work from any area of your house. For this reason, many houses have Wi-Fi enabled Internet connectivity. Internet connection sharing problems can arise when there are more than two computers using the same Internet connection over Wi-Fi. Most Internet connection sharing problems arise as a result of different computers using the same IP address and creating a conflict on the network. Using a Wi-Fi unit can also cause you Internet connection problems, and here are some fixes you can try to get rid of this problem. Read more on what is wi fi.

• As usual, the first thing to do when you notice any Internet connection problems is to check the cable and the wires. Ensure that the cables are plugged in the right sockets, and that no cables are damaged.
• If the cables are fine, it's time to check the lights on your Wi-Fi router. The power and Wi-Fi status light should be steady, i.e. they should not be blinking. Some routers might also have a light for the ISP connection, if present, that should also be steady. Everything else should be either blinking or off.
• If there are problems with the lights, try restarting the router and check if all the lights are as they should be. Usually it is wise to wait a bit after you turn the router off. 10-15 seconds is termed appropriate. If the lights are still not normal, then you can try resetting the router. Most routers have a small reset button somewhere on the back of the router.
• If after resetting the router, there are still problems with the lights, then you should check the router settings. In a browser window, type 192.168.1.1. The resulting page is the homepage of your router, check if all settings are correct there. You may want to check with your ISP for the correct setting that needs to be there.

If all seems right in the above steps, and you still can't connect to the Internet, then it is time for the professionals to take over. Call your ISP and see if the problem can be solved by phone support. If not, you may have to live without your computer or Internet for a while, till the problem gets solved.

Most Internet connection problems can be solved by following the tips mentioned above. Usually, it turns out to be either a cable problem or some setting problem that needs to be changed and can be completed in a couple of minutes. However, there are cases where the problems with internet connection just cannot seem to be diagnosed. For such type of problems, let the professionals do their bit.