Nowadays, everyone (especially businesses) heavily relies on the internet for daily operations. So, it’s no surprise that if the connection drops it can drastically impact your company; think productivity losses, customer complaints and risks of loss in revenue. It’s therefore crucial that your broadband gets back up and running as soon as possible.
As experts in IT and communications, Town & Country have produced this expert guide to explain how to find the causes of your broadband issues, along with how to go about resolving them.
Read on to learn more, or to find out how we can work with you to get the best business broadband package for your company’s needs, get in touch today on 01202 514444.
How do I fix my broadband issue?
We recommend you follow these steps to work out the cause of your broadband problem, which can then be remedied.
Step 1: Check your internet-connected devices
The first step is to check that there is a problem across all of your internet-connected devices – not just the one you’re having trouble with. This means checking the wi-fi status across all of your phones, laptops, TVs and smart devices.
If the other devices are connected, then it’s more likely a problem with the specific device. Disconnect, then reconnect that device to the wi-fi. If that fails to fix the connection, restart the device.
Step 2: Check your ISP’s Service Status
If you’re having trouble with all of your devices, you may have an issue with the connection. Before you embark on more technical causes, we suggest checking your internet service provider (ISP) or your broadband provider's service status page. There, you’ll be able to enter your phone number or postcode to see if there’s a connection issue at or around your location. You could even check their Facebook or Twitter page for status updates too.
Contact details are available on this broadband provider's contact page.
Step 3: Ping a website
If you’re on a laptop or computer, you can always look to ping a website to check your internet connection. You can do this by:
- (For Windows OS) Pressing windows key+R on the keyboard. Typing “cmd”, hitting enter to bring up the command prompt tool. Then, type 'ping www.google.com’
- (For iOS) Go to the ‘Network Utility’ app, click ‘Ping’ and type 'www.google.com'
Should you get a ‘timed out’ or ‘unsuccessful’ message, then there’s a problem. If you’ve already tried the steps above, then it’s worth checking the router (see step 4).
Step 4: Check your router’s lights
Whilst all routers have an array of lights, the standard rule is that it’s a bad sign if any lights are red or amber. Plus, no lights usually mean no power, so in this scenario, it’s worth checking that the router is plugged in properly.
If you have any incorrect lights on your router, we suggest that you turn off the router, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it back on. It can take up to five minutes for your router to connect to the internet, so it’s best to wait this time before you start diagnosing the lights.
Step 5: Plug a device (PC or laptop) directly into the router
It’s also worth checking if there’s a specific wireless issue with your broadband. With the majority of connected devices now wireless, it’s easy to forget that wireless and wired connections are completely different.
Connect a laptop or computer to the router via an ethernet cable. If you have internet connectivity then there’s an issue with your wireless settings. You can use this wireless router settings resource for further wireless support.
If the issue is not to do with your wireless connection, then it’s time to look at your IP address (step 6).
Step 6: Check the IP address
An IP address is a unique address that identifies a device that is connected to the internet. Whilst your laptop or computer is still plugged directly into the router, follow these steps below to determine your IP address.
For Windows OS:
- On Windows press the Windows key + R, then type ‘cmd’ and hit enter to open the Command Prompt tool
- Type: ipconfig | findstr /I “Gateway"
- You should now see a line that looks like: Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
For iOS:
- On Mac open ‘System Preferences' and click ‘Network’ under ‘Internet and Wireless’
- Select ‘Ethernet’ and click the ‘Advanced’ button
- Click the ‘TCP/IP’ tab and the IP address will be next to ‘Router:’
If the IP address does not begin with 192 (for example, it begins with 169), this is not valid and you should contact your ISP with this information.
Step 7: Check cabling
It’s worth checking all cables across your broadband connection for damage. This extends to plugs and microfilters, and it’s worth replacing this if possible.
Last Resort: Contact your ISP
If you’ve looked at all the previous steps but are still struggling with your connection, then it’s time to call your ISP. It could be a problem on their end – a new connection may be required, or even some new equipment like a more up-to-date modem. You can use this list of broadband providers' contact details if you’re stuck on how to reach out to your ISP.
Trust Town & Country with your broadband package
At Town & Country, we endeavour to combine high standards of customer service and support with excellent products and prices. With ASDL2, fibre and leased line options available, we can tailor the right broadband package to your requirements. We will work alongside you to ensure that you are paying the best possible rates for your broadband package.
To learn more about our broadband packages, contact us today on 01202 514444 where a member of our friendly team will be on hand to discuss any queries you may have.
