Whether you have opted for a separate internet connection or a service bundle such as Spectrum One plan, slow connectivity can get extremely frustrating. If you are going through awfully slow streaming speed during your work hours, or if it is taking forever to download a movie online, it can be very annoying. With smart home tools, advanced video streaming, and online gaming platforms, a good internet connection is a necessity these days.
Common Internet Issues and Solutions
Even with the best efforts to maintain a smooth connection, some disruptions do occur. Let’s have a look at some common internet network challenges and how to overcome them.
Poor Connectivity Speed
A slower-than-usual internet speed can be a result of network congestion or in some cases poor connection quality. A network can fail to perform efficiently when there is an unbearable load on a single network. It might be because of an overcrowded WI-FI router or an underlying software issue with your device.
Congestion alone might not be the underlying cause of a slow speed, a stuffed port on a router can also hinder internet performance. This is especially common on rented lines where promised bandwidth does not meet its expected potential.
Solution:
You can utilize speed-testing websites to monitor the speed of the connection. These sites can help you in locating congestion spots on the network. When you are using conventional cable internet, the local network is usually shared between many people causing the internet to slow down. By informing the ISP provider, you can compel them to upgrade their bandwidth to offer a better service.
Additionally, DNS servers can also be associated with slow network performance. An inappropriate DNS server can cause load imbalance and router overloading. Therefore, it is vital to use your specific internet service provider’s DNS settings as they may help you to steer through congested web caches. If the issue continues, switch to an external DNS temporarily.
Inability to Connect to the Internet
It can be incredibly exasperating when you need to do some important work but are unable to connect to a network. In such circumstances, it is important to first determine where the issue is and then try resolving it.
Solution:
Begin your search by testing all the physical connections and devices. Try rebooting the modem and router. Once you are sure all these items are in place and working properly, you can be certain that the issue lies on your service provider’s end. At this point, feel free to contact your service provider through the helpline and ensure that all the hardware is functioning accurately.
Furthermore, if your computer or laptop has a port for an Ethernet cable, try to attach it directly to the WI-FI router. If you get a network using this method, it means that the issue is with the router’s signals. On the contrary, if the problem persists, then the problem lies with the internet connection.
DNS Issues
Common errors with pop-ups like “IP address could not be found, DNS name does not exist, or the network path could not be located,” can be attributed to issues with the DNS configuration.
Solution:
All devices can be easily configured to use their specific DNS servers and avoid the ones allocated by the DHCP. You can examine the TCP/IP settings to find out if an unsuitable DNS server has been assigned to your device. If so, click on the option, “obtain DNS server address automatically” to solve this problem.
IP Address Issues
If you are trying to establish a connection without a local router, there is an increased likelihood of this error appearing. Usually, you have an IP address allotted directly by your service provider. However, the exhaustion of all the existing addresses can lead to connectivity issues. Additionally, multiple devices sharing a single IP address can also result in connectivity issues owing to the DHCP configurations.
Solution:
Investment in a separate Wi-Fi router can solve the problem of IP address exhaustion. Furthermore, when you try to add a new laptop or phone to the network, there is a possibility that it is allotted an IP address that is already in use, leading to slower or no connectivity at all. On the other hand, it may also have its specific DHCP server that must be causing interference with yours. You can simply restrict the new DHCP server to solve this issue.
