Learn how to Troubleshoot Internet connection problems

Have you been unable to connect to the Internet? Well, let’s take a look at the possible causes and show you how to troubleshoot them.

To make things easier, we’ll follow a 3 step process to troubleshoot the problem you are facing.

Step 1: Modem and ISP (your Internet Service Provider)

We need to start right from the source of you connection, your ISP.

1. Contact your Internet Service Provider and check if the Internet service has been activated, if so, whether they are experiencing downtimes/ line cuts or other issues? If they are experiencing problems, you won’t be alone and they’ll probably work overtime to fix it and you get connected right away!

2. The connection is good, what next? Well, that would be the modem/router you are using with the connection. Make sure the cables; both data and power are connected properly. Also check with the modem/router’s manual if you have configured you connections. If you bought the modem separately, chances are you’ll have to configure it as opposes to the pre-configured ones supplied by the ISP. So, once your done verifying the status of your modem/router, you should be able to the modem’s data transfer/receive lights blinking away to connectivity!

Step 2: Configuring your Internet Settings

This step involves configuration of your operating system’s Internet settings to detect your Internet connection successfully and share it with applications that need them.

1. Check your Internet Protocol(IP) details against the following information provided by your Internet Service Provider(ISP):

– IP Address

– Subnet Mask

– Default Gateway

– DNS Servers

After getting the above details from your ISP, you need to view the current IP details on your PC by doing the following:

– Go to: Start > Run > cmd > Type IPCONFIG /ALL in the command prompt window. (Please note, in Windows Vista and 7 you need to search for ‘Run’ in the search bar on the Start Menu)

– Doing so, you’ll the see current details for the above four requirements. You will need to share these details with your ISP to help rectify the problem. Please note that, mismatched details at this stage could be caused by a defective hardware component or due to wrong modem configuration.

2. Checking whether the Internet Protocol Suite (otherwise known as TCP/IP) is configured correctly by performing a PING test.

– Go to: Start > Run > cmd > and type ‘ ping (router’s address)’

In most cases the address being “192.168.1.1”. You can also PING an external address for further verification.

You should see a few a replies followed by the ping statistics, indicating that all is well.

3. You can also use the Windows Network Diagnostics tool to gather information about your Internet/Network connection.

Start > Help & Support > Type Network Diagnostics and it should give you the option to perform a diagnosis of your network.

Simply note down/save the results to share with a technician or the ISP personnel to help in solving the problem.

Trying to repair your Network Connection may or may not help, depending on the type of problem. Here’s how you do it:

Start > Settings > Network Connections > Select your Network Adapter > Right-click and choose Repair.

After the process is complete, it should tell you if the repair was successful or not.

Step 3: Configuring the Browser/Application

After having sorted out Step 1 & Step 2, it is safe to say you Internet connection is perfectly alright. The problem lies with the application trying to use it, in most cases your browser, Internet Explorer for example.

– Open Internet Explorer and get to the options:

Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Options > Connections > LAN Settings > Uncheck the Automatically detect settings and Use a proxy server for your LAN options > OK > Apply and OK.

Now trying to open a webpage, should bring a smile on your face.

– Similar settings available in other browsers should also be disabled for them to successfully utilize the Internet connection.

So there you go, all geared up for an enriching Internet experience and nothing’s going to stop you now.

The ReviverSoft Team