Nowadays, Internet access is almost as important as having electricity or running water. You could be working from home, studying online or just scrolling through social media but they all need connectivity.
So what happens when it slows down or stops completely? Cue major frustration. Some may instinctively call customer support but this isn’t always an instant fix. Sometimes it’s waiting on hold, explaining your problem to multiple people or even waiting days for a technician to come out.
However, the good news is that most broadband issues can be fixed at home without the need for customer support.
How To Troubleshoot Home Broadband Without Calling Support
There are some broadband issues that commonly occur and these are not difficult to fix yourself. Even if you are not the most tech-savvy, you could be back online before you finish your cup of coffee.
Let’s take a look at the practical steps to follow the next time you find yourself offline.
1. Determine If The Device Or The Whole Network Is The Issue
The first step is to check whether the problem is isolated to your device or if the whole system is being affected. To determine this, try to connect to the Internet from every device you have.
If the other device connects, your affected one may need adjusted Wi-Fi settings or have a software problem. But if all devices are offline, it’s most likely an issue with the router or Internet service.
2. Restart The Router And Your Devices
This may sound silly but sometimes all is needed is a good old reboot. A restart will clear any temporary glitches and reconnect the router to your service provider. If the router was stuck on a connection, it will remove this.
Keep the router off for at least one minute to give it time to clear its memory and then plug it back in. It should take about 2-5 minutes for it to fully restart and the lights will turn on again.
It’s also good idea to give your devices a restart too so they can be re-connected to the network.
3. Examine All Of The Cables And Connections
In some cases of Internet problems, broken or loose cables can be the culprit. The power cable should be fully plugged into the wall while the fibre cable needs to be securely connected to the router.
Also check for any chewed wires (particularly if you have a four-legged pet in the house!) or cables that are pulled tightly around corners.
Try unplug and replug each cable back in to make sure they are connected properly.
4. Check The Lights On Your Router
The lights that are displayed on your router can tell you a lot as long as you know what they represent. A green or white light will indicate that the power is on. If there’s no light, there’s no power.
If there is a red light or one that is blinking, this usually indicates an issue and it can’t connect to your provider (see step 7). Keep in mind that every router is different and the information on the side of yours will tell you what the lights indicate.
5. Try An Ethernet Connection
In a case where your Internet service is working but your Wi-Fi is down, you could try to use a wired connection. You can do this by plugging an Ethernet cable from a computer into the router and turn the Wi-Fi off on your device.
If it works, your Wi-Fi is the issue but if not, then it is most likely the broadband connection.
6. Fix Your Wi-Fi Signal
Wi-Fi signals can be easily affected by multiple factors. This can range from thick walls and microwaves to having too many devices connected at the same time and experiencing an overload.
Try to move your device closer to the router and keep it away from TVs, fridges or other electrical appliances. If you’re not using other devices like smart TVs or laptops, disconnect them.
7. See If There Is A Broadband Outage In Your Area
Sometimes the issue lies with the service provider, not your router or devices. Check on your provider’s website, using mobile data, if there are any updates on outages or planned maintenance which could be affecting your connectivity.
If there is an outage, there is no specific time frame on when it will be up and running again. This will depend on how quickly the provider can resolve the issue, although most are fixed in a couple of hours (Netflix will have to wait!)
8. Update Or Reset The Router
If your router’s software is outdated, it can cause issues. You can check for updates by entering your router’s IP address in your browser and log in with a provided username and password on the back of the router. If an update is available, you will be able to follow the instructions to update it.
If all else fails, then it’s time for a factory reset. Keep in mind that this will delete all of your current settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password.
To do this, press the reset button on the back of the router for 10-15 seconds. The router will then restart and return to its default settings.
When Should You Call For Support?
If you have tried all of these steps but to no avail, then it’s time to call your provider’s customer support.
When you do speak to a technician, let them know which steps you have taken up to that point and which lights are showing on the router. This can help speed up the process to identify the issue quicker to get you back up online.
Good luck and happy browsing!
