Troubleshooting Internet Connection Issues

Photo by Brett Sayles on Pexels

We’ve all been there—suddenly, your internet stops working, and everything comes to a screeching halt. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show, during a work call, or just browsing, a bad connection can be incredibly frustrating.

The good news? Most internet issues can be fixed with a few quick steps. Instead of panicking or waiting on hold with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), try these simple fixes first.

Restart Your Router and Modem

Let’s start with the classic solution: turning it off and back on. Restarting your router and modem clears out temporary glitches and refreshes the connection. Unplug both devices from the power source, wait about 30 seconds, and then plug in the modem first.

Give it a minute to boot up completely before plugging in the router. Wait another few minutes for the router to reconnect, and then check if your internet is back on. This simple step often works wonders.

Here’s how to restart your router:

Check Your Physical Connections

Sometimes, the issue isn’t with your internet at all—it’s the cables. Loose or damaged connections can prevent your devices from staying online. Take a look at all the cables connected to your router and modem.

Make sure they’re securely plugged in. If you’re using Ethernet cables, inspect them for any visible damage, like kinks or frays. If possible, swap out the cable or try a different port to rule out hardware issues.

You can also try checking your ethernet cables through a cable tester:

Run Network Diagnostics

When the basics don’t work, it’s time to let your device help. Most computers and phones have built-in troubleshooting tools. On Windows, head to Settings > Network & Internet > Status and select the Network troubleshooter.

On macOS, use Wireless Diagnostics via Spotlight. Android users can toggle Wi-Fi off and back on or use built-in troubleshooting features. These tools are designed to find and fix common network problems automatically, saving you the guesswork.

Here’s how to run network diagnostics:

By trying these steps, you can solve many internet issues independently. If the problem persists, it might be time to give your ISP a call—but at least you’ll know you’ve done all the easy fixes first!