2/21/23, 1:23 PM Can't Connect to the Internet?

Try These 10 Tips

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TECH FOR HUMANS

INTERNET, NETWORKING, & SECURITY > HOME NETWORKING

Can't Connect to the Internet? Try

These Tips
Finding and fixing internet connection problems
By Bradley Mitchell Updated on July 29, 2022
Reviewed by Jon Fisher

IN THIS ARTICLE
Why the Internet Isn't Working
Solutions to Try
Frequently Asked Questions

When you suddenly can't connect to the internet, any of several things
could be wrong. Use the suggestions in this list to find and solve
common internet connection problems.

Reasons Why Your Internet Isn't Working

There could be any number of reasons you can't reach the internet:
The firewall might be malfunctioning, the wireless signal might be
blocked or too weak to use, the router might be experiencing issues,
there could be IP address conflicts . . . the list goes on.
The good news is that there are 10 key steps you can take that will
solve most connection issues. We're listed them here, in order of
easiest to hardest, so start with the first step and keep going until your
connection is back up and running the way you like.

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How to Fix Internet TO A SECTION Problems
When you experience trouble TECHwith
FORyour
HUMANS
internet connection, it's best
to start your troubleshooting with simple solutions first and move on to
more advanced fixes as needed.

1. Confirm your wired or wireless network hardware is switched

on and plugged in. Unplugged or loose network cables, routers,
and modems are easy to miss. Yet, these devices are a common
reason you might be unable to connect to the internet. If you're on
a wireless network, another reason is that the device's Wi-Fi radio
has been shut off.

2. Before assuming your internet connection is faulty, visit several

websites rather than just one. What may seem to be a network
problem connecting to the internet may be a website or server that
is temporarily offline.

3. Avoid IP Address conflicts. If your computer and another device

on the network have the same IP address, the IP address conflict
between them prevents either from working properly online. To
resolve this conflict, release and renew your IP address. If your
network uses static IP addresses, manually change your IP to a
different number.

4. Check for computer firewall malfunctions. Firewall software

prevents unwanted network traffic from disrupting its operation.
These software firewalls can malfunction and block valid internet
traffic. When two software firewalls, such as Windows Firewall and
a third-party product, are installed on the same computer,
contention between the two can also incorrectly block traffic.
If you recently installed or upgraded a software firewall on your
computer, temporarily disable it to determine whether it may be
the cause of your internet connection problem.

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5. Make sure you're within wireless signal range. The performance
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of Wi-Fi network connections depends on the distance between the
device and the wireless access point. The farther away from a Wi-Fi
device, the slower the local connection. Wireless signal
interference in the area can also limit the range of a Wi-Fi
connection.
If you can't reach the access point and can't connect to the
internet, measure your Wi-Fi signal strength and then boost your
Wi-Fi signal.

6. Check your wireless network configuration. Wi-Fi networks with

encryption options like WPA or WEP require computers to use
matching security keys when connecting. If someone changes the
encryption key or passphrase on the access point, devices that
worked before can't establish sessions and internet connections.
Likewise (though less likely), if the access point settings are
changed to require a specific Wi-Fi channel number, some
computers may be unable to discover it.
In this case, try these potential solutions:

Confirm the Wi-Fi channel number and encryption keys on your

router have not recently changed (check with the network
administrator if necessary).
If the password was changed and you don't remember the new
one, change the password again and then update your devices
so that they use the same password. You can do this by logging
in to the router.
When using a hotspot, carefully follow the provider's
instructions.

7. Check for broadband router or access point malfunctions.

Home networks that use broadband routers are easier to manage
than those without one, but technical glitches with the router can
prevent computers from connecting to the internet. Router failures
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are caused by overheating, TO A SECTION
traffic, or an older unit going
bad. Typical symptoms of a bad router include computers on the
TECH FOR HUMANS
network not being able to obtain IP addresses or the router console
not responding to requests.
When this happens:

Check the router's lights and console, if possible, to ensure it is

running and responding properly.
Check if you need to update your router's firmware. Outdated
firmware can cause problems for new devices trying to connect.
Keeping the firmware up to date removes glitches and software
hiccups.
If that's not the problem, reset the router.

8. Contact your ISP if you suspect your account has been

blocked. Internet service providers (ISPs) can block access to your
account if you fail to make a payment or violate the provider's
Terms of Service. When using paid hotspots that charge by the
hour or day, people might forget to keep their subscriptions
updated. Other common reasons an ISP might block your account
include exceeding bandwidth caps, sending spam emails, and
downloading illegal or inappropriate content.

9. Look for computer glitches. Although uncommon, a computer's

network adapter hardware might fail due to overheating or age.
Failures in the operating system software that control the adapter,
on the other hand, can frequently occur, especially with computers
that are used heavily. Viruses and worms also may disable or block
a computer's network interfaces from functioning properly. Finally,
if you use a laptop or other mobile device, transporting it from one
location to another can corrupt the state of its network.
Here's how to find computer problems:

Scan your computer for malware and remove any found.

On Windows computers, reset the network connection.

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10. Contact your internet provider to verify whether it is
experiencing an outage. If you use satellite internet service, you
may notice you can't connect to the internet during periods of
extreme weather. Providers (including cellular internet carriers) in
dense urban areas may be unable to support peaks in network
traffic that cause sporadic outages for some customers.
If you subscribe to newer or more complex forms of internet
services (such as fixed wireless broadband), you may experience
more downtime than others as providers encounter more issues
with relatively less mature equipment.

Note: Some providers give advice on troubleshooting problems

connecting to their network (sometimes for a fee).

The 9 Best Cable Modem/Router Combos of 2023

FAQ
Why can't Steam connect to the internet?
If you get a network connection error on Steam, check the Steam server
status, disable your firewall, close background apps, and update the
Steam client. If you still have trouble, troubleshoot your internet
connection

Why can't my PlayStation connect to the internet?

If your PlayStation won't connect to the internet, check the status of the
PlayStation Network, restart your network equipment, then fully power
down the console and turn it back on. If you still have problems, move
your PlayStation closer to the wireless router or use a wired connection.

Why can't my Switch connect to the internet?

If your Nintendo Switch won't connect to the internet, the Nintendo
Switch Online service could be down, or a firewall could be preventing
the Switch from accessing your network. If possible, move your Switch
closer to the router, or use an Ethernet connection.

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Why can't my Xbox connect SECTION
internet?
TECH
If your Xbox won't connect to the FOR HUMANS
internet, double-check your Wi-Fi
settings, then power cycle your network hardware and game console. If
the Xbox network is down, all you can do is wait until it's fixed.

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