1. Try Another Device or Site
Start with the obvious: is the problem occurring on just one device or all of your devices? If you’re having issues with your computer, see if you can connect to the internet using a tablet or someone else’s laptop. If the issue only occurs on one device, you can safely narrow down the problem to that device.
If a specific site isn’t loading, try another site. If you can visit other sites just fine, the issue is likely with the site you’re trying to visit, and you’ll have to wait for them to fix things on their end. Try entering the site’s address in downforeveryoneorjustme.com or downdetector.com to see if there’s a known outage.
If there’s no known outage, there may be a problem with your browser’s cache. You may want to try visiting the site in a private browsing window or from a different browser to see if that resolves the connection issue. And clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
2. Check Your Wi-Fi Settings
Check your device’s Wi-Fi settings and ensure you’re connected to the correct SSID. If not, you might be inadvertently connected to the wrong network by default. Windows users and those using macOS Monterey or earlier versions can change the connection priority to ensure they’re connecting to the right network. Alternatively, you can uncheck the auto-connect option next to any unwanted network names.
If you are connected to the right network and still experiencing issues, Windows can help you diagnose the problem. Right-click the network icon in the system tray and select Troubleshoot problems (in Windows 10) or Network troubleshooter (in Windows 11) to run the network diagnostic routine in Windows. This can sometimes fix common issues by resetting the adapter.
You can also check your network adapter settings in the Network and Sharing Center in Control Panel to ensure the adapter is using the correct gateway address and other settings.
3. Check Your Internet Plan
If the internet is working, but it’s slower than expected, it’s time to check back in with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about the internet speeds you should be getting. Go to a site like Speedtest.net and run a speed test. You’ll get a number in megabits per second indicating the speed your computer is actually experiencing. From there, open your service provider’s site and check your bill.
If the number on your bill matches your speed test result, you’re getting the right speeds for what you’re paying for. If it’s too slow, you may need to upgrade to something faster. If your speed test result is noticeably slower than the speed you’re paying for, you’re definitely experiencing issues, and you should continue troubleshooting.
4. Scan Your Computer for Viruses
Sometimes, your internet connection can be affected by malware on your computer. Spyware, viruses, and malicious software can significantly impact web browsing speed and overall system performance. If nothing else seems to make sense, run a virus scan just to be sure.
Windows comes with built-in Windows Defender, which can do the job well, although there are many free and paid tools available as well. And yes, even if you have a Mac, you should invest in good antivirus software – despite what you may have heard, it’s not immune to infection.
5.
Bypassing Your DNS Server
When you type a website address into your browser, your computer looks for the IP address of that site using a Domain Name System (DNS) server. Sometimes, these servers can have issues, making it difficult to visit sites using friendly domain names (like PCMag.com). It’s like having a working phone without a contact list – you technically have the ability to call people, but you don’t know anyone’s numbers.
You can try fixing the problem by flushing your DNS server cache. Sometimes, it’s about the things being held up, and hitting reset can help. Otherwise, you can completely change the DNS server, either on an individual device or at the router level to affect everything on the network.
6. Decoding the Blinking Lights
If you can’t connect to the internet at all, check your modem and/or router and their status indicator lights. If some lights are on but others are not – or if they are blinking frequently – you’ll want to take a close look at what those lights are telling you. Refer to the documentation for your modem and/or router to diagnose these lights.
For example, if the network indicators on your router are lit but the Wi-Fi lights are not, you may need to press the Wi-Fi button on the side, or re-enable Wi-Fi from its configuration menu. The modem lights may be blinking instead of staying solid, which means it’s unable to find a connection to the internet, warranting a new modem (or contacting your ISP).
If none of them are on, it’s likely that the modem or router is powered down. Check to make sure nothing has been accidentally unplugged and that the power switch (if there is one) is on. Otherwise, unplug the power cords and wait a minute or two. If the modem and router are separate, plug in the modem first. If the lights come on, then you can plug in your router. If you don’t see the lights after plugging it in, you may have a faulty power adapter, a bad power outlet, or a defective router.
7. Check Your Bandwidth Usage
It’s possible that everything is working correctly, but some software on your computer is using all your bandwidth. On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click on the Network column to sort by network usage. On a Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor,” and go to the Network tab in Activity Monitor.
If a specific application is using a lot of bandwidth – like downloading a large file – you may just need to wait for that process to finish, or cancel it to get an internet connection back to normal speed. If you don’t see any obvious culprit, check if someone else in the house is downloading a large file on their device and ask them to stop.
If someone is using a game streaming service, don’t let them use up all the bandwidth on the network. There’s always a chance that your neighbor is stealing your Wi-Fi. We have instructions on how to find out who is using your network and how to boot them off.
8.Get a Better Signal
If you are using Wi-Fi, there are several issues that can slow down your connection. Try connecting your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If that resolves the issue, your Wi-Fi signal is weak enough to reduce your internet speed.
Check the Wi-Fi icon on your computer: how many bars do you have? If you are lacking bars, you may need to move your router to a more central location in your home or purchase a Wi-Fi signal booster. (If you already have a Wi-Fi signal booster, it may be of poor quality – a mesh system is likely to perform better).
If you have full bars but there are many Wi-Fi networks in your building, there may be significant congestion, and changing the channel or using the 5 GHz band may help resolve the issue. Check out our guide to boosting Wi-Fi signal for more tips on improving reception.
9. Update the Firmware
Firmware is low-level software that runs your modem, router, and other network devices. Most vendors provide downloadable firmware updates that can resolve performance issues, add new features, and increase speed. If there is a problem with your router, an update may fix it.
Look for the firmware update tool in the system section of your router’s settings and follow the instructions carefully to ensure you install the correct firmware version. Do not download firmware from a third-party site.
10. Fully Reset Your Settings
If you have changed any settings on your router previously, and now there is an issue, try resetting the router to its factory default configuration. For most routers, this involves pressing a very small reset button on the back panel and holding it for several seconds until the LED lights start to blink, but there may also be a reset option in the settings menu.
Once reset, you can log in to the web interface and set it up from scratch as if you were connecting it for the first time. Just be careful not to enable the same setting that caused the issue in the first place.
11. Upgrade to a Faster Router
If you are using an old 802.11b or 802.11g router, you might want to consider upgrading to a newer, more powerful one, especially if you have multiple computers, smartphones, and other devices competing for bandwidth.
A dual-band router offers two wireless bands to choose from and allows you to allocate bandwidth to clients that need a lot of it, like online streaming devices and gaming consoles. A tri-band router provides three bands and can support more activities on your network.
Moreover, modern routers utilize the latest technologies to deliver high speeds, with improved Wi-Fi range. The latest router standard is 802.11ax, also known as Wi-Fi 6, and its enhanced version Wi-Fi 6E. Check out our list of the best wireless routers when you are ready to upgrade.
12. Go to the Source
If diagnosing the modem and router hasn’t helped you solve the issue, the problem may be coming from further away. Check the connection coming into your home. This is typically located on the side of your house and may be in an enclosure or it may not be. Make sure the main cable has not been torn by squirrels or loosened by a storm. (If you have Starlink, we can help you fix a damaged cable).
If
I saw a cable splitter, make sure that every connection is tight and that the connectors are securely attached. If the splitter looks suspicious (i.e., rusty or dirty), consider replacing it. Cheap splitters can also affect signal strength, so if you don’t need to split the signal, try removing it entirely.
13. Last Resort: Contact Your Internet Service Provider
If you’ve tried everything and are still having internet connection issues, it’s time to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The problem may be on their end, and it could require a new connection to the pole coming to your home or new equipment, such as a better modem or amplifier.
If you’re experiencing slowness at certain times of the day (think after work hours), it’s possible that your ISP simply can’t handle the increased user load, in which case you may want to look for a new provider. Lucky for you, we’ve tested them to find the best service providers in the country.
Disclosure: Downdetector and Speedtest.net are owned by Ookla, which is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, the parent company of PCMag.
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