Lost Connection? Expert Tips for Overcoming Internet Outages Like a Pro
Is the Internet down again? It's not necessarily your provider's fault.
shows how to identify and solve the five most frequent internet connectivity difficulties.
"Is the internet down?" are four terrible words that may bring your day to a standstill. Honestly, internet disruptions are the worst and tend to strike at the most inconvenient times. There's never a good moment for one, so when it happens, you want to get your house back online as quickly as possible. Barring a severe outage from your internet service provider, discovering the problem and restoring your connection is frequently quick and uncomplicated.
Below are the most typical reasons why your internet can go out, followed by strategies to remedy each issue, if feasible. For additional Wi-Fi suggestions, check out why your router may be in the incorrect spot and how to locate free Wi-Fi anywhere in the globe.
Common reasons of home internet outages?
Here are some of the main causes your internet may have decreased -- we'll go into remedies for each below.
- 1. Modem/router malfunctions
- Home Tips logo 2. Inadequate speeds or equipment
- 3. Hacking or network concerns
- 4. Bad weather
- 5. ISP service interruptions and network congestion
Narrowing down the particular issue might require a little of inquiry and debugging. Start by checking that the connection issue isn't isolated to a certain website, server or device.
If you've lost your Netflix connection midway through a show, check if alternative streaming services are still accessible and operating. If so, the fault likely resides with Netflix and not your internet connection. If you're having a trouble connecting to other streaming services, it might be that the smart TV or streaming device is to blame. Try streaming on another device, if feasible, to verify if an internet outage is the reason.
Modem and router troubles
When your home internet connection goes out, it's frequently due to a problem with your modem and/or router. The solution is simple: Restart your equipment by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds or so, plugging it back in and allowing it to reboot. More often than not, this will resolve your Wi-Fi outage.
When restarting your router, I'd recommend cutting power by unplugging it instead of pressing or holding any buttons on the device itself. Doing so can prompt the device to do a hard reset, returning it to factory settings and erasing your Wi-Fi network settings. Granted, the reset will likely re-establish your internet connection, but you'll also have the extra task of setting up your Wi-Fi again.
Also, take in mind that your gadget may have a battery backup. If the lights on your modem or router don't go out when you unplug it from the power supply, check to see if there are batteries fitted someplace and temporarily remove them while restarting your equipment.
Slow speeds or faulty equipment
Maybe your internet isn't technically "out" -- it just can't keep up with what you're trying to accomplish or where you're doing it.
Constant buffering, extreme lagging, Wi-Fi "dead zones" and other connectivity difficulties might stem from inadequate speeds, bandwidth or Wi-Fi coverage to accommodate all your devices. There are two methods to address the situation: Scale back your internet consumption or make some changes.
Consider the internet speeds you require and decide if your existing package can supply such speeds. If your plan lacks the speeds you require, switching to a faster plan (provided one is available) will be your best option. Many cable and fiber internet providers provide speeds up to 1 gigabit per second or greater, which is plenty of bandwidth for the ordinary home.
On the other hand, if you feel your existing strategy should fulfill your demands, it's probable your equipment is to fault. Conduct a few speed tests around your home to determine what speeds you are getting and where the Wi-Fi connection might not be as strong. Sometimes, just shifting your router to a more optimal place may enhance connection quality and remove or at least alleviate any dead zones.
Otherwise, you may wish to invest in a stronger router or Wi-Fi extenders to improve the Wi-Fi signal across your home. If you rent equipment from a supplier, phone to ask about acquiring a better gadget.
Try changing your router settings
Your router should enable you to guide connected devices to a specific pod or extender, if you have one, and between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. You'll receive a better signal on the 5GHz band, but only if your device is within range (the 5GHz range is less than 2.4GHz) and if there aren't too many other devices connecting to 5GHz. So, if your connection quality is bad on a specific device, consider switching bands on the device or taking some of the other devices off the band you're using.
Use a wired connection
Connecting directly to your modem, router or pods/extenders with an Ethernet cable will be your best choice for establishing and keeping a robust connection. If feasible, utilize a wired connection for the most bandwidth-hogging devices, including smart TVs and game consoles. Not only will this often provide a better, faster connection, but it will also take some of the strain off your Wi-Fi network.
Hacking or malware
A compromised network is a less likely but still possible cause of an internet outage. If hackers gain access to your Wi-Fi network, they could completely restrict your internet access to any or all devices.
If you believe someone has acquired illegal access to your network, immediately go to your router settings and rebuild your Wi-Fi network with (ideally) a different network name and (certainly) a different password. You'll want to choose one that is complicated or random enough to make it tough for a hacker to figure out.
Along with choosing a secure password, maintain all firmware on your router and any linked devices up to date to assist avoid hacking attempts. Installing antivirus software will also help keep your gadgets secure. Many ISPs offer virus and malware protection at no extra cost.
Bad weather
Yes, Mother Nature can mess with your internet connection. Some internet connection types are more prone to internet outages than others during poor weather, but torrential rain, a violent thunderstorm or even thick cloud covering might interfere with your signal.
Satellite internet is the most vulnerable to internet disruptions caused by weather, although a power loss can knock any connection type down. Having a modem and router with a battery backup may assist keep you connected during power outages, albeit they will be worthless if the power loss is blocking internet connectivity from reaching your modem in the first place.
If you have satellite internet, a rain guard, snow shield or dish warmer can assist prevent outages due to inclement weather in the local region of your house. Signal interference may happen anywhere between the satellite and your dish; however, high cloud covering or rain could disrupt your connection, even if it's miles away. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about an internet outage in such instance; you'll just have to wait for the signal to return.
ISP failures and network congestion
Despite the unfavorable image many people have about their internet providers, large ISP outages are unusual, and outages at a single house are nearly unheard of (unless, of course, you neglected to pay the bill). Still, it's conceivable that the service is having difficulty.
If your internet is entirely offline and you've already tried rebooting the router, visit your provider's social media accounts, official website or sources like downdector.com for updates and outage reports. You may also phone customer support, but be prepared for a long wait on hold.
Other than confirming your ISP is having issues, there's little you can do in such cases other than wait for service to restore. Outages are bad publicity, so rest assured your ISP is doing everything in its ability to restore service as fast as possible.
True outages do exist, but they are rare. Network congestion, on the other hand, is a lot more regular problem, and although it won't always knock your connection out entirely, it may surely cause decreased speeds. Cable, DSL and satellite internet are prone to network congestion, as is 5G home internet. T-Mobile agrees network congestion can contribute to reduced speeds, adding that "during congestion, Home Internet customers may notice speeds lower than customers using other T-Mobile services due to data prioritization."
Network congestion means the speeds arriving to your house are hindered, so there isn't much you can do about it other than wait for the congestion to dissipate. You may, however, make the most of the speeds you are getting by positioning your router in an appropriate place, tweaking your Wi-Fi settings or using an Ethernet connection, as indicated above.
Internet still out? Here's what more you can do
Aside from the techniques stated above, there are a handful other ways you may be able to go back online.
The first is via using your mobile connection. Your phone will likely immediately switch to cellular service if your Wi-Fi goes out, so you'll be able to use your phone just like you would if you were away from home. Keep in mind, however, that doing so will consume up your mobile data.
Additionally, certain phones, carriers and plans allow you to build a Wi-Fi hotspot. It won't power your home the same as your router, but it will let you to connect a few devices till your home network comes back.
Second -- and potentially only relevant for lengthier outages or essential internet demands such as submitting a school project on time -- would be to find a public Wi-Fi hotspot. Your neighborhood public library, coffee shop or restaurant, among many other public sites, may provide free Wi-Fi.
Be cautious that utilizing a public Wi-Fi connection is not as safe as your home network, so consider using a VPN or avoid any activity that includes sensitive data (passwords, banking details, filing your taxes, etc.) when on a public network.
Internet outage FAQs
Why does my internet continually going out?
There might be a variety of things that impair your internet connection. First, and most likely, is difficulties with your equipment. Restarting your modem/router can typically remedy the issue.
Other reasons why your internet may continually going out include insufficient speeds, network congestion and harsh weather. It's conceivable that your provider is suffering a service outage, however for regular connection interruptions, I would look to the previously suggested causes, starting with your router.
Can I obtain a partial refund for internet provider outages?
Many companies do pay compensation for protracted or frequent outages. Spectrum, for example, will pay "proportionate credit for those qualifying outages that last for 4 or more consecutive hours." Call to report the outage as soon as possible and observe how long it lasts before demanding a refund.
Will a power outage knock down my internet service?
Not always, but probably. When the power goes out, it won't necessarily block internet service from reaching your home, but it can surely limit your capacity to utilize the internet. Unless your modem and router have a battery backup, a power loss will disable those devices, making you unable to access to the internet.