Internet Access: Internet Tips and Techniques

You are trying to use the internet but can’t because several people in your family are also using it at the same time, resulting in lags. You want to binge-watch movies and TV shows, but your router refuses to grant access to your device.

Instead of asking people to lay off the internet for a while, you can take an in-depth look to uncover the underlying problem of why you cannot manage to make your router work for you. Where does the fault lie?

Before you contact your internet provider, you need to eliminate a few common issues causing the lag you are experiencing. You can do so by following these internet tips and tricks to get your router working optimally again.

1. Test Other Devices or Try Opening a Different Website

Use another device to access the internet to determine if the issue is only happening on your device or if it is happening on every device. If only your device is unable to connect to the internet, then there is no issue with the internet router.

Ensure that the Wi-Fi is enabled and that you are using the right password to connect to the right SSID. For Windows users, you need to right-click on the network icon in the system tray and then on Troubleshoot Problems to perform the Windows Network Diagnostic check.

The diagnostic tool can resolve the network problems by resetting the adapter. Your internet will also not work if your adapter is using the incorrect gateway address, which you can check by going into the network adapter settings.

While you are it, open another website. If you can access other websites from your device, the issue is with the website you are trying to access. However, this one problem you cannot fix yourself, as it will be up to the website owners to fix it to get it back up.

2. Virus Attack on Your Device

Malicious code may be disrupting your device’s internet connection. Scan for viruses, malware, and spyware. They can affect your internet speed and system performance, slowing it down considerably. You need to run a virus detection program to remove any viruses, if any, from your device.

3. Bypass the DNS Server

Your device uses a DNS server to look up the website’s IP address, like 192.168.1.1. Server issues can make it difficult to access the internet. You need to bypass the DNS server by entering an IP address into the internet browser, such as 192.168.1.1. If the website loads correctly, change your DNS server or delete your DNS cache to resolve your issues.

4. Get a Stronger Signal

Wireless internet connection can cause a wide range of issues that can cause your connection to lag. Use an Ethernet cable to connect your device to your router. If your issue remains unresolved, you are dealing with a poor wireless signal that is slowing down your internet speed. Look at the Wi-Fi icon on your device to check the number of bars you have.

If only a few bars are showing, move your internet router to a better and more central location. You also have the option to purchase a Wi-Fi extender. If your Wi-Fi extender fails to make any difference to the internet speed, get a mesh system. If several bars are showing, but your building has several active wireless networks, then change the channel or use the 5Ghz band to resolve the issue.

5. Examine the LED Status Indicators

Check your internet router and modem. Both the router and modem should display a few LED status indicators. If you do not see any blinking lights, your router or modem is turned off or unplugged. Remove the router and modem’s power cord, and after several minutes, connect it again. If you do not see lights after you turn on your modem and router, the power strip, router, or power adapter may have malfunctioned.

If you see some lights blinking but not others or if they continue to flash continuously, it means that your modem and router cannot access the internet. If they cannot find an internet connection, you will need to buy a new modem.

On the side of the Wi-Fi, there is a button. Press it if the router’s light is turned on, but the lights that indicate an active internet connection are not.

6. Check the Programs on Your Device

A program on your device or another person in your house may be using up the entire bandwidth. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to start the Task Manager. Select the network column to check which program on your device is using most of the bandwidth. On Mac, enter Command+Space to start Spotlight, then enter “Activity Monitor,” and go to the Network tab.

Close applications that are using a lot of the bandwidth. If you cannot close the application or program because a download is in process, wait until the download completes. Once finished, your internet will be fast again.

You can always press cancel or pause the download to use the internet. If it is not you, then another person in your house may be downloading a large application on their device. You can tell them to stop or pause the download and start it when you do not need to use the internet. If it is neither you nor them using up all the bandwidth, someone from outside may be stealing your internet.

7. Update Your Device’s Firmware

Firmware, a low-level embedded program, operates your router and modem. Most vendors release updates to fix performance issues, increase speed, and add new features. You can check if a firmware update is available for your router from the System section. Ensure you install the correct version for the router. Never download firmware from another website, as it can contain malware.

If nothing works, your last resort is to upgrade your router to one that offers stronger internet signals.