Table of Content
This lesson is divided into three sections:
- Causes of wi-fi and network Problems.
- Problems associated with wi-fi connection.
- Generally solutions to wi-fi and network problems.
- Your PC is in airplane mode
- Your PC's Wi-Fi is switched off
- Network card failure
- Your wi-Fi adapter needs to be reset
- Security Software Conflicts
- You're not in range of a wi-fi network
- There's a problem with a network setting
- Corrupted Windows System Files
- Malware Or virus infection
- Your Wi-Fi adapter isn't working
- Nothing can connect to wi-fi.
- Slow or no internet access in certain rooms
- Slow internet everywhere
- Connections drop at random times
- Wi-fi network disappears entirely
- The network connects, but there’s no internet access
- Forgot the wi-fi password
- Can’t connect to wireless printer
- Power Cycle Everything and Check Other Devices
- Check physical connections
- Reset your wi-fi adapter
- Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter
- Restart your modem and router
Causes of wi-fi and network problems.
Of all the types of computer problems you can have, network issues are one of the worst. Though our computers can do a lot offline, being cut off from the internet isn't fun. Even worse, when you can't get online, it's not easy to research fixes for your problem. Network problems must be diagnosed before they can be resolved. A loss of connection is disruptive to a daily routine, but most connection issues are easy to fix, so you can get reconnected relatively quickly. When your Wi-Fi goes down, you can restore access on your own by troubleshooting some of these common problems. Most a times the problem of wifi and network connectivity is as a result of buying a fairly used laptop without running a proper check on the connectivity to ensure it's working properly. Check here for what to consider before buying a London used laptop. This article covers 20 possible network and Wi-Fi problems and how to fix it.
Make sure that your computer isn't in Airplane Mode, which disables Wi-Fi and other connections. If you're in Airplane Mode, you'll probably see an airplane-shaped icon in the system tray — click it and then choose Airplane Mode from the pop-up menu to disable it. You can also type "Airplane Mode" in the Start menu search box to check its status.
Your PC might also have a master on/off switch for Wi-Fi, and it's all-too-easy to activate it by accident. Check the sides of your laptop for a slider in the wrong position. It might also be connected to one of the numbered F keys at the top of your keyboard. You can usually also turn Wi-Fi on and off using a setting in the system tray.
Your computer’s network card may struggle keeping a steady internet connection. You can fix it by reinstalling the network card drivers. To do this, right-click Start > Device Manager. Click Network Adapter to expand the category, right-click on your network card and select Uninstall. Restart your computer and allow Windows to reinstall the card and its drivers. You can also check the network card manufacturer’s website for updated device drivers, download and install them to your computer. Reboot your computer and test your connection again. If you have a removable network card and know how to go about re-seating it, you can remove it and insert it back into the PCI slot to ensure it is seated firmly in the slot. Once done, return everything back to its usual place, plug in the power cord and power on your computer. Test whether the connection is stable.
Sometimes mundane technical problems crop up that keep your Wi-Fi from working properly, and the easiest way to fix it is to turn it off and then back on again. You can "cycle" the Wi-Fi adapter by putting it in Airplane Mode for a few moments — click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and click "Airplane Mode." Or just reboot your computer entirely by clicking Start, then "Power," and "Restart."
Your security software programs like antivirus or firewall may interfere with your internet connection. To resolve this, check the settings for either program and see which ones are enabled. Try to disable them temporarily and see if your internet connection stabilizes. If it does, check with the antivirus manufacturer if the setting is important for your device’s protection. If it’s not, you can leave it disabled for an improved internet connection.
Don't discount the possibility that the problem isn't with your computer, but with the Wi-Fi network. It's possible the signal is too weak to connect. If you're using a laptop, move around to see if that helps. Wi-Fi can have trouble going through walls, and so any home or office could have dead zones. First, can other devices (like your phone or tablet) connect to the Wi-Fi network? If not, then the router might be having its own issues. Reboot it by unplugging it for two minutes, then plug it back in and let it restart. If you have a separate internet router, unplug it too, wait a minute, and plug it back in before restarting the Wi-Fi router. If you still can't connect, the issue might be with your internet service provider, so contact the ISP to see if there's a service outage.
If you think "there's a problem with a network setting" sounds vague, you're right. There are a number of possible issues that rarely affect most Windows users — but when they arise, they're especially hard to troubleshoot. Windows includes its own troubleshooter for just this kind of situation. Click the Start button and type "troubleshoot." Choose "Troubleshoot settings" from the list of results and then, on the Troubleshoot screen, click "Internet connections." Click "Run the troubleshooter" and follow its directions. The troubleshooter may be able to get your Wi-Fi up and running again.
Internet connectivity issues can be caused by corrupted Windows operating system files. Try running the system file checker first to see if anything comes up. You can also perform a system restore to replace the corrupt files with clean ones and then check your internet connection again.
An intermittent internet connection could also be caused by a virus or malware infection on your router or computer. If it’s severe, it may not even work, but the remedy is to use the best antivirus available that can nuke any virus or spyware, and stabilize your connection.
It's rare, but the Wi-Fi hardware in your PC might have failed. This is generally the last possibility to consider — if you've tried resetting your network connection, rebooted the PC, and determined that other nearby devices can successfully connect, the adapter could be at fault. Generally, the only recourse is to replace it. There are many inexpensive Wi-Fi adapters that can plug into one of your PC's USB ports.
Problems associated with wi-fi connection.
If you can’t connect to your Wi-Fi at all, plug your laptop into the router directly using an Ethernet cable, and see if you can connect that way. If that works, your Wi-Fi is the problem — but if it doesn’t, then your internet may be down altogether. Check your ISP’s webpage and social accounts, or give them a call to see if they are reporting problems. Sometimes providers can be a little slow to note issues, so you can also check with a monitoring site like Downdetector and see if other users in your region are reporting problems. Resetting your router can fix a myriad of issues, and an inability to connect is one of them. Press the reset button on the back of the router with a paperclip for 30 seconds, and the router should default to factory settings. Use our guide to setting up a wireless router to get everything properly configured. If that’s no use, you may need to consider buying a new router.
Wi-Fi is radio waves, meaning your router broadcasts in all directions from a central location. If your router is in a far corner of your house, then you’re covering a great deal of the outside world unnecessarily. If you can, move your router to a more centralized location. The closer you can put your router to the center of your coverage area, the better reception will be throughout your house. If you have external antennas, you can try adjusting those too. Alternating between fully vertical and fully horizontal positions can help reach in multiple directions. If you live in an apartment building, other routers might be interfering with yours. Free software, like NetSpot on Mac and Windows (and Android) or Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android, can show you every wireless network nearby, and what channel they’re using. If your router overlaps with nearby networks in particular rooms, consider switching to a less congested channel. If none of that helps, your home might be too much for one router to handle. Consider purchasing a wireless repeater or setting up an old router to serve as one to extend the range of your main router.
If your Wi-Fi speed is slow no matter where you are, try plugging a laptop into your modem directly and test your internet speed using a site like speedtest.net. If speeds are still down, the problem is likely with your internet connection, not your router. Contact your ISP. If that’s not the issue, it could be that your current wireless channel is overcrowded by your devices, or by those of other nearby networks. Consider changing the channel on your router in your router settings. Each router brand does that a little differently, though. If that doesn’t help, performing a factory reset on your router and setting it up again may help. On most routers, there’s a Reset button that you can hold down with a paperclip. Do so for 30 seconds, and the router should default from factory settings. Use our guide to setting up a wireless router to get everything properly configured, and see if that helps. If none of that works and your internet is fine on a wired connection, your router might be dying. Consider buying a new one.
Is there some sort of pattern? Do connections drop whenever you use the microwave? It may sound weird, but some routers have trouble with this, especially on the 2.5GHz frequency or if you’re using an older microwave with shield problems. It could be that you’re experiencing interference from other networks or devices. If your neighbors are heavy Wi-Fi users at a particular time each day, this could be slowing you down. Changing your router’s channel might help. You can use NetSpot on Mac and Windows and Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android to show you every wireless network nearby. If yours overlaps with nearby networks, switching to a less congested channel in your router settings can help. If that doesn’t work, try performing a factory reset on your router by pressing a paperclip into the miniature hole on it.
If you lose track of your Wi-Fi network on any device, it’s possible that your router reset itself. Do you see an unprotected network named after your brand of router? That might be yours. Connect a laptop or desktop to it via Ethernet cable, then use our guide to setting up a wireless router to get everything properly configured again. If you don’t see such a network, plug your laptop into the router with an Ethernet, and see if you get a connection. Use our guide to finding your router’s IP address and login information for more help. Also, if you don’t have a cable, check out our guide on how to choose the right Ethernet cable.
It might sound like a tired tip, but try resetting your modem by unplugging it and plugging it back in. If that doesn’t work, try also resetting your router the same way, assuming it’s a separate device. Connect a laptop or desktop to your router with an Ethernet cable (these are the best ones). If this works, then the router is having a problem and may need to be reset. If there’s still no internet, though, you may have an outage. Contact your ISP.
If you really can’t remember your Wi-Fi password and there are no notes or cards with it written down somewhere, you’ll have to reset your router. Use a paperclip to press the hidden switch in the pinhole on the back of your router for 30 seconds. It should then default to factory settings.
First, make sure you are trying to connect to your Wi-Fi and not via Wi-Fi Direct — they are two different technologies. We also highly suggest the traditional routine of turning everything off and back on again, especially if your printer has connected to Wi-Fi successfully in the past. If your printer is far away from your router and keeps running into Wi-Fi errors, try moving i to a closer position, too. If it looks like your printer is connected to Wi-Fi but you can’t get it to work, head into your printer settings on your computer and make sure the correct default printer is selected. Microsoft also has some troubleshooters you can run to see if they pick up on anything obviously awry. We also suggest checking your router security, firewalls, and VPN security to see if any of them are identifying the printer as a strange device and refusing a connection. You may need to disable certain firewalls or reconfigure security protocols to use your printer successfully. When all else fails, uninstall your printer drivers and reinstall the more recent versions to see if this makes a difference.
Generally solutions to wi-fi and network connection problems.
Sometimes what seems like a network outage is actually a problem on a specific website's end. If you can't get on Twitter, for instance, check another few websites to make sure that the problem isn't just with a single site. if not do the following until you get problem solved.
here's no need to get upset right away, as the fix to your problem might be as simple as rebooting your equipment. Restarting fixes a ton of issues, so make sure it's your first response to network problems, too. Go ahead and reboot your PC, as well as your modem and router. To clear the modem and router caches, wait 60 seconds before you turn them back on again. When you plug everything back in, plug your modem in first and wait for it to power on before connecting your router. Turning everything off and back on first ensures that it isn't a temporary network problem. It's better to reboot now than to waste 30 minutes continuing on when you don't need to. Once you've restarted, if you have another computer (or a mobile device), try getting online with that machine. If you find that no devices can connect, it's likely an issue with your equipment or your ISP. Should you find that only one computer can't get online, you can continue to narrow down the problem. On that device, make sure to run an antivirus scan to ensure you don't have malware interfering with your connection. You should also make sure that your firewall settings aren't blocking the connection. Finally, try using a different browser to see if your usual one is somehow damaged.
Does your network problem persist after rebooting? Before you start diving into settings and tests, the next step to check is that you're physically connected. If you use an Ethernet cable to connect to your router, check to make sure that it's not unplugged or damaged. If your laptop has a physical wireless switch, make sure that it's not set to the off position. Once you've verified a proper connection, check your equipment. Are the lights on your router and/or modem flashing green as normal? If no lights come on after the reboot, the device could be dead or malfunctioning. However, if you get red lights, or a power light but no connection light, your ISP is likely experiencing disruption.
Sometimes mundane technical problems crop up that keep your Wi-Fi from working properly, and the easiest way to fix it is to turn it off and then back on again. You can "cycle" the Wi-Fi adapter by putting it in Airplane Mode for a few moments — click the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray and click "Airplane Mode." Or just reboot your computer entirely by clicking Start, then "Power," and "Restart."
If you can no longer connect to the network, you can use the troubleshooter to diagnose and get rid of some common connectivity issues. To use the Network troubleshooter on Windows 10, use the steps below.
Step 1:Open the Settings app on your Windows 10 device.
Step 2: Go to Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
Step 3: Navigate to Additional troubleshooters > Incoming Connections and run the troubleshooter.
For Windows 8 take the following steps.
Step 1: Go to settings
Step 2: Click on control panel > Network and internet
Step 3:Click on troubleshoot problems > internet Connections and run the troubleshooter.
Just like you restart your computer, you can follow the same with your modem and router. Rebooting those devices purges the old cache and DNS data. Go ahead and reboot your computer, modem, and router. If the modem or router is suffering an issue, it won't work properly after restarting and that's how you can identify whether something is wrong with that. Did you install a new firmware update on your router or modem and didn't restart it? Well, you should restart those devices to apply the new firmware update changes.
Step 1: Press and hold the power button on your router for 30 seconds.
Step 2: When it turns off completely, unplug all the cables and wait for at least 30 seconds.
Step 3: Reconnect the power cord and the ethernet cables. Boot the router and modem.
Once you have started, if you have another computer or phone, try getting online on that device. If it’s connected with the internet, you are totally fine, but if it isn't, it's likely an issue with your equipment or your ISP. Are you still facing network connection issues? You can continue to narrow down the problem with the below troubleshooting options.
- Forget wi-fi network
When you forget a network (the one you've connected), and then add the same one again, the Windows 10 treats it as a completely new network. If the network name conflicts are making it difficult to connect your Windows 10 computer to the internet, manually forcing your device to forget a few of them may fix the problem and get you online. When you forget a network connection, it removes the Wi-Fi network profile from your PC. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Select the Wi-Fi network icon on the right side of the taskbar.
Step 2: Click the Network and Internet settings.
Step 3: Select Wi-Fi, then select manage know networks.
Step 4: Select the network you want to forget and then select Forget.
Afterward, select the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar and try to reconnect it.
- Turn off firewall
As absurd as this sounds, the default Windows Firewall might prevent your computer from connecting to the Internet. You could temporarily disable Windows Firewall. Go through the steps below.
Step 2: Search and click control panel
Step 1: Go to System and security
Step 3: Select Windows firewall
Step 4: By your left click on Turn Windows firewall on or off
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