It’s a common issue: you’ve paid $75 for a new wireless router, you’ve set up a home wireless network, but you have problmes connecting your laptop or home PC to the network.
The most basic (and most time-consuming) way to fix wireless internet connectivity problems is to restart everything:
- Unplug (power down) your modem
- Unplug (power down) your router
- Turn off your computer
As a rule of thumb, when trying to fix wireless router connectivity issues, you should wait at least 10 seconds before turning your modem back on, and then powering up your router. This is because the modem itself will save in its memory network information (such as IP addresses), and sometimes this network information may be causing the wireless router problem in the first place.
After 10 seconds or so, the modem has completely powered down and information should be fully removed. Some modems routers also actually physically reset various switches.
After everything has been powered down:
- Restart (power up) your modem.
- Wait for about 20 seconds (or until your modem is fully powered up), and then power up your wireless router.
- Restart your computer.
This usually is enough to fix wireless connectivity problems. If you’re still having problems, use an ethernet cable and try connecting your computer directly to the modem. If still you can’t get onto the internet even when plugged into the modem, call your internet service provider. There may be a problem with their network (or you may have forgotten to pay your bill).
If you can access the internet when plugged into your modem, but not via your wireless router, try changing the location of your wireless router – there may be some issues with the architecture of your house, or there may be interference from another electronic device close by.
For example, walls can affect the quality of the wireless signal throughout your house. Some houses (and most apartments and condos) use steel and aluminum studs and frames, and this can really affect wireless signals.
As well, newer home entertainment systems often use powerful speakers, and even speakers that connect wirelessly. These sorts of signals can affect wireless connectivity.
There’s one final basic solution for wireless internet problems, and that’s to purchase or lease a wireless router directly from your cable company. While it may cost a little more to set up, at the same time if you ever have any problems you can call your cable company or internet service provider to come and help you out, ideally for no initial cost.