Internet Down Again? Try These Tips to Get Back Online

When your internet connection at home goes down, it is usually due to a fault in your modem and/or router. The solution is simple: restart your devices by unplugging them, waiting about 30 seconds, plugging them back in and restarting. This usually solves your wifi problem.

When rebooting your router, I recommend turning it off by unplugging it rather than pressing or holding any buttons on the device itself. This will allow the device to perform a hard reset, which will return it to factory defaults and erase your Wi-Fi network settings. Granted, the reset will likely restore your internet connection, but you’ll also have the added task of setting up your Wi-Fi again.

Please note that your device may have a battery backup. If the lights on your modem or router do not turn off when you unplug it, check if there are batteries installed somewhere and temporarily remove them when you restart your device.

Maybe your internet isn’t necessarily ‘down’ – it just can’t keep up with what you’re trying to do or where you’re doing it.

Constant buffering, excessive lag, Wi-Fi dead zones, and other connectivity issues can be the result of insufficient speeds or Wi-Fi coverage to handle all your devices. There are two ways to fix the situation: reduce your internet usage or perform some upgrades.

Consider the internet speeds you need and determine if your current plan can deliver those speeds. If your plan doesn’t have the speeds you need, upgrading to a faster plan (assuming one is available) is your best option. Many cable and fiber internet providers offer speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second or higher, which is plenty of speed for the average household.

On the other hand, if you find that your current plan should be fine for you, it’s possible that your equipment is the culprit. Run some speed tests around your home to gauge what speeds you’re getting and where your Wi-Fi signal might not be as strong. Sometimes moving your router to a more efficient location can improve your connection quality and at the very least eliminate or reduce dead zones.

Otherwise, you may want to invest in a better router or wifi extenders to boost the wifi signal throughout your home. If you rent equipment from a provider, call and ask if you can get a better device.

Try adjusting your router settings

Your router should allow you to direct connected devices to a specific pod or extender, if you have one, and between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. You’ll get a stronger signal on the 5GHz band, but only if your device is in range (the 5GHz range is shorter than 2.4GHz). So if your connection quality is poor on a particular device, try switching bands on that device or moving some other devices off the band you’re using.

Use a wired connection

Connecting directly to your modem, router, or pods/extenders using an Ethernet cable is your best option for establishing and maintaining a strong connection. If possible, use a wired connection for devices that use the most bandwidth, such as smart TVs and game consoles. Not only does this often provide a better, faster connection, it also takes the strain off your Wi-Fi network.

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 can completely restrict your internet access to one or all of your devices.

If you suspect that someone has gained unauthorized access to your network, immediately go into your router settings and recreate your Wi-Fi network with (preferably) a different network name and (definitely) a different password. You want to choose one that is complex or random enough that it is difficult for a hacker to figure it out.

In addition to creating a strong password, make sure that all firmware on your router and all connected devices are up to date to prevent hacking attempts. Installing anti-virus software will also help protect your devices. Many ISPs offer virus and malware protection at no extra charge.

Yes, Mother Nature can disrupt your internet connection. Some types of internet connections are more susceptible to internet outages than others during bad weather, but heavy rain, a heavy thunderstorm, or even heavy cloud cover can disrupt your signal.

Satellite internet is most vulnerable to weather-related internet outages, but a power outage can knock any type of connection offline. A modem and router with a battery backup can help you stay connected during a power outage, but they’re useless if the power outage prevents internet from reaching your modem in the first place.

If you have satellite internet, a rain shield, snow shield, or dish heater can help prevent interference from bad weather in the immediate vicinity of your home. Signal interference can occur anywhere between the satellite and your dish; however, heavy cloud cover or rain can affect your connection, even if it’s miles away. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about an internet outage in this case; you’ll just have to wait for the signal to return.

Despite the negative perception many people have of their Internet service providers, widespread ISP outages are uncommon, and outages in a single home are virtually unheard of (unless, of course, you forgot to pay your bill). However, it is possible that your provider is having problems.

If your internet is completely down and you’ve already tried rebooting your router, check your provider’s social media pages, official website, or resources like downdector.com for updates and outage reports. You can also call customer service, but be prepared for a long wait.

Other than confirming that your ISP is having problems, there is nothing you can do in these situations other than wait for service to return. Outages are bad publicity, so rest assured that your ISP is doing everything it can to restore service as quickly as possible.

True outages do happen, but they’re rare. Network congestion, on the other hand, is a much more common problem, and while it won’t always completely shut down your connection, it can certainly lead to slower speeds. Cable, DSL, and satellite internet are vulnerable to network congestion, as is 5G home internet. T-Mobile acknowledges that network congestion can lead to slower speeds, stating that “during congestion, home internet customers may experience slower speeds than customers using other T-Mobile services due to data prioritization.”

Network congestion means that the speeds coming into your home are slowed down, so there’s not much you can do about it other than wait for the congestion to clear. However, you can make the most of the speeds you do get by placing your router in an optimal location, adjusting your Wi-Fi settings, or using an Ethernet connection as mentioned above.

There can be a number of factors that affect your internet connection. First, and probably most, there are issues with your equipment. Rebooting your modem/router often solves the problem.

Other reasons why your internet keeps dropping out include poor speeds, network congestion, and bad weather. It’s possible that your provider is experiencing a service outage, but for frequent connection interruptions I would look at the causes mentioned earlier, starting with your router.

Many providers offer compensation for prolonged or frequent outages. Spectrum, for example, offers “prorated credits for those qualifying outages that last 4 or more consecutive hours.” Call to report the outage as soon as possible and check how long it lasts before requesting a refund.

Not always, but probably. If the power goes out, it doesn’t necessarily mean the internet won’t reach your home, but it can limit your ability to use the internet. Unless your modem and router have a power supply, a power outage will disable those devices, leaving you unable to connect to the internet.