Internet connection problems are an all-too-common and frustrating experience. Whether you are simply surfing the web or are engaging in important work, connection problems can cause you a lot of hassle. Fortunately, there are ways to troubleshoot connectivity issues in order to find the cause of the problem and implement an effective solution.
Pinging:
Pinging is an effective tool in finding the source of a connectivity issue. Ping will test whether a specific host is accessible across an IP network. The tool works by transmitting an Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo request packets to a target host. Ping then waits for an ICMP response from the host.
To begin, open the command prompt tool. To find this tool, click the start button and type “command prompt” in the search window. The command prompt tool should appear in the search results. With the tool open, type in the ping command. You will be pinging a website – any website will work. Type “ping” followed directly by the name of the chosen website. Press enter. This command will send the echo request packets to the website address.
If any of the packets are lost, or if it takes an abnormally long time for the packets to be sent, it can indicate a network problem. The problem could be with the website you are pinging or it may be a problem with your ISP.
Problems with the Computer:
If you have multiple computers in your network and you find that only one computer is experiencing connectivity issues, the problem could be with that particular computer’s software. It could be caused by a virus or malware, or it may be an issues with the browser you are using. Run a security scan with your virus software or try another browser to resolve this issue.
Trouble Connecting to a Website:
If you have trouble connecting to a particular website, it is more likely that the website is having issues, not your internet connection. A website might experience problems when its servers overload or through a number of other issues. The only solution is to wait for the website to resolve its issues.
Router Trouble:
The most common source of connectivity issues is often your router or modem. Look to your router or modem to see if either indicates an issue. A blinking orange light is often a signal that something is not working correctly.
To troubleshoot, try unplugging the router or modem. Wait a couple of minutes before plugging the system back in. Often, this simple task can resolve the issue. If this does not help, try a factory reset of the device or check for firmware updates.
Always remember that effectively troubleshooting internet connectivity problems requires that you find the source of the problem before it can be remedied.
