In this digitalized world, significant usage of the internet on computers and phones right from our daily to professional lives have resulted in Wi-Fi being a basic necessity.
Over the last few years, the demand for Wi-Fi has considerably increased, mainly due to its seamless internet speed experience.
However, sometimes it happens that when you are listening to your favourite music or watching TV series on Netflix or having fun with Google Assistant, your internet runs into a problem.
That is the moment when you get frustrated as it affects your daily routine.
There can be several reasons your Wi-Fi runs into problems, most of which can be easily fixed while others need intense troubleshooting. Let’s check out some ways to overcome Wi-Fi issues. Your first action when you get the problem should be finding out what caused it in the first place.
Hence, when your wireless network goes down, there could be three things that could be blamed, including the device, network and internet itself.
Device Issues
Resetting the Device
Firstly, check if other devices are connected with the internet or not. If it is connected, then your issue is just confined to that one particular device.
Now what you can do is restart or reboot the device and check if your problem gets fixed. If that doesn’t solve your problem, then move on to the next step.
Run a Network Diagnostic
Although, carrying out network diagnostic processes have a bad reputation of being useless and finding anything that can help overcome issues. However, it’s worth giving it a fair trial.
Check Wi-Fi Credential Details
Commonly, your device can sometimes forget the login details for a Wi-Fi connection, mainly because of some error or bug in the system. So, it is advisable to check wireless settings and have a look if everything is still the way it is needed to be.
Reset TCP/IP Settings
In Windows 10, run Command Prompt as an administrator, then type “netsh int ip reset”, and hit Enter.
Be patient until it is running; when done, restart your device. For MAC devices, find TCP/IP tab by following this path: System preferences > Network > Advanced. Now click “Renew DHCP Lease” and hit Ok. Check if it works.
Resetting TCP/IP settings can generally solve wireless network issues, but if not, then you have to disconnect and reconnect with the network.
Forget and Re-Add the Wireless Network
In Windows 10, click on the wireless icon and click “Forget” on your current network selection. Again press “Connect” to the same network and add login credentials and see if it solves your problem.
For Mac devices, follow this path: Open Network Preferences > Advanced > Wi-Fi > Remove. Press “Ok” to leave the menu and click on “Apply”. Now, connect to the network by pressing the Wi-Fi button and putting back the login credentials.
Erase Browser Cache
Browser cache helps to improve browsing speed by loading pages faster, but can also mess up with internet connection when something goes south. Try clearing browser cache and check if it puts your network back in action.
Different browsers have different processes to clean up browser cache, but usually, it can be found in browser settings.
Why does Your Internet Connection Randomly Stop Working?
Uninstall Problem Causing Plug-Ins and Apps
Often recently installed apps or plugins can become a source of various issues, particularly if it hogs the internet or runs notorious malware. Getting rid of it might solve your issue of the internet.
You can start removing the apps, software programs, and other unwanted plugins that you may have added before your internet problem arose.
In Windows 10, run the task manager and check the specific app that is taking so much of the network. In Macs, the same function can be found in the Network tab under Spotlight or Utilities folder.
Uninstall Problem Causing Plug-Ins and Apps
Often recently installed apps or plugins can become a source of various issues, particularly if it hogs the internet or runs notorious malware. Getting rid of it might solve your issue of the internet.
You can start removing the apps, software programs, and other unwanted plugins that you may have added before your internet problem arose.
In Windows 10, run the task manager and check the specific app that is taking so much of the network. In Macs, the same function can be found in the Network tab under Spotlight or Utilities folder.
Disable Firewall/Antivirus
Occasionally, obstructive settings of firewalls or a bug in antivirus could hinder the function of the wireless network. In case, if temporarily turning it off solves your problem, then at least it helps you to figure out the root cause of network issues.
Clear Out DNS Cache
Similar to browser cache, DNS cache gets stored in a temporary folder which saves data related to browsing for faster loading of website pages. Flushing it out can help the device to get back into behaving normally.
For Windows 10, it can be cleared by typing “ipconfig/flushdns” in the command prompt and hitting enter.
For MACs, the terminal application needs to be opened and by the copy-pasting following string “sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder; say DNS cache has been flushed” and pressing return DNS cache can be cleared.
Factory Reset
Though time-consuming and exhaustive, a factory reset can solve severe Wi-Fi problems with the device.
However, it can only fix the issue if it is with the software rather than with the hardware. Moreover, it comes at the cost of all the essential files and folders stored on the device. So, it is advisable to back up your files before proceeding with this step safely.
An advantage of this procedure: Even after doing a factory reset, your Wi-Fi isn’t getting connected, then for sure the issue is with the hardware.
Network and Internet Issues
Change Wireless Channel
Wi-Fi relies on wireless channels that travel through the air.
Some channels are significantly better than others – particularly in congested areas where the number of competing devices are very high. By changing the channel that the wireless network operates on not only helps to fix Wi-Fi problems, but it could also make it faster.
Try Turning Router OFF and ON Again
Technology sometimes acts strangely. Switch off the router or modem and after some seconds turn it back on. Let it have some time to cool down and get fixed. Even after many attempts of switching on and off, if it doesn’t work then you may need to get your router or/and modem replaced.
Check the Router Lights
Yes, you read it right, sometimes by just looking at things, you can get a sense of a problem. The router has several lights at its back or on the front depending upon the manufacturer. If any of those seems different, then it is a sign of a problem.
If you are not much of an expert, then give a readout to its manual instruction to have a clue about what each of those lights meant for and what could be done to solve the issue.
Firmware Update
Both software and hardware play a vital role to make technology work, and when both combine, you have firmware.
Most of the devices can automatically update themselves when they detect new updates in the system. However, routers usually don’t get updated by themselves and instead require manual updating. By manually updating it could fix your connection problem.
How to Fix All Network & Internet Issues in Windows 10
Check Network Cables
Sometimes if you are not much of a technology expert, you end up connecting cables in the wrong ports. So, do ensure if all network cables are plugged in or not. Also, check if by mistake you have interchanged the cables or not. If yes, fix it and see if your network goes up again.
Check DHCP Settings
DHCP abbreviates as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. It is a system that automatically distributes IP addresses (a key component that lets devices communicate and connect over the internet) across the networks.
Hence, if anything is wrong with DHCP, the wireless network won’t work at all. Ensure that DHCP in your device is turned on.
In Windows 10, it can be turned on under “Network & Internet” in “Settings”, while in Macs it can be found by following path System preferences > Network > Advanced > TCP/IP > Configure IPv4.
Drivers Update
Sometimes outdated drivers can cause various problems to your PC such as interfering with its ability to detect wireless signals or causes problems to network drivers.
Alternatively, new updates can have bugs and errors from the publishers’ end, which can leave the wireless connection in turmoil. Nowadays, most OS manufactures have an auto-update system leaving no room to fix certain issues.
Nevertheless, more often than not, manual updates by using the USB device or running updating software can fix your problem.
Device Update
Updating the actual device can sometimes help to solve Wi-Fi issues. Most of the OS manufacturers now provide updates in specified time intervals.
Thus, it is recommended to keep the device up to date with new updates as it can prevent you from getting into various problems, including network and connectivity issues.
Get Closer To A Router
In big houses with huge space and lots of interferences, it might be possible that your Wi-Fi doesn’t provide a strong signal needed to your device. By moving closer to the router may solve your problem.
Plug-In an Ethernet Cable
If the device has an Ethernet port, then plug it with a router and check if the internet is working or not. If it works, then the problem is definitely with the wireless signal, which is an excellent place to decipher the issue.
Disconnect-Connect Issue
Your wireless network could get continuously booted from your wireless network. This type of issue mainly persists due to two reasons.
Firstly, there can be other signals from various devices such as Television, Microwave, etc. that are continuously flowing around the house which disrupts your network.
Secondly, there can be an issue with either the router itself or with the malware within the device. If such a situation persists in all the devices connected to the same network, then updating the router with the latest firmware might solve the case.
If it happens only with one particular device, then it is advisable to update only that device with the latest wireless drivers.
Is Your Wi-Fi Really “ON”?
Sometimes accidentally it could have been turned off or put it into Airplane mode. Have a quick check and make sure everything related to wireless connection is turned on.
Carry out Ping Test
When your device is connected with the internet, it sends small packs of data to a distant server and vice versa.
That is how your PC receives information from websites. Now, when you run a ping test, it makes sure that those tiny packets of data are getting transmitted to and from without any hindrance, which is highly useful in solving connection problems.
Factory Reset the Router
In case your router has been creating a problem with the internet recently then resetting it might solve your case.
All routers have a reset button which needs to be pressed using a sharp pin. Afterwards, hold for five to ten seconds and let it set itself up. See if it solves your network disconnection problem.
Play with Network Adapters
When you have run a ping test but receive an error while trying to ping your IP address, then it means the network adapter is messing it up. Usually, rebooting your device or enabling DHCP could solve the problem, but sometimes it does not work.
Here, you can either update network adapter drivers or need to clean it up by actually unplugging it physically. After cleaning put it back in and see if it helps, if not, then at least you have cleaned your PC.
Play with Network Adapters
When you have run a ping test but receive an error while trying to ping your IP address, then it means the network adapter is messing it up. Usually, rebooting your device or enabling DHCP could solve the problem, but sometimes it does not work.
Here, you can either update network adapter drivers or need to clean it up by actually unplugging it physically. After cleaning put it back in and see if it helps, if not, then at least you have cleaned your PC.
