How to Troubleshoot Your Computer’s Network Issues
When the computers go down at your business your entire workday can come to a complete halt. For a small business owner, that situation can be disastrous. If you are not fortunate enough to have an IT expert on your payroll, it is up to you or a tech-savvy employee to solve the problem and save the day. Hopefully, you will never find yourself in this situation. But, if you do, here are some simple network troubleshooting tricks you can try to get up and running again.
Find the Source of the Problem
As with most problems of any nature, the best place to start is at the beginning. You need to find the source of your network problem before you can fix it. If your problem falls within the network and you have the power to fix it, then proceed in doing so. If it is an outside problem, you will need to seek outside help.
Check the Basics
Sometimes a network problem has a simple solution that is easy to overlook. In fact, sometimes the obvious solutions are easy to miss. So, check the cables to make sure everything is plugged in and turned on. Sometimes Ethernet cables can come loose, so check to make sure they are plugged in fully. Make sure the lights are all glowing green on your modem and router as well. A red or flashing green light can indicate there is trouble. If you see any possible issues, try restarting the router.
“Ping” the Network
A “ping” is a network status command. It works by having one computer send a signal to another computer. If there is a responding “ping”, it means the network is running properly. If there is no ping or it is late, you will know there is a problem in the switching or configuration.
Check for Interference
Sometimes your network problem can be an issue of simple interference, especially if there are several wireless devices vying for the space. Try changing router channels to see if that helps.
Check Your Password Strength
Problems can arise when everyone is not on the same page as far as passwords are concerned. Many small-business networks require three passwords, which can make it confusing for employees. Make sure all of your employees are using the correct passwords, and make sure your passwords are strong.
Check Your Protocols
You can run into problems with speed and connectivity if your network’s protocols are older than the devices that are included in the network. Double-check the options on all of the devices that comprise the network and make sure everything is running the most advanced protocol possible.
Are you Competing With Other Networks?
If you share building space with another company; if there is a store in the area that offers free wi-fi to customers; or if your employees have their own hotspots, you network may be competing with other ones in the general vicinity. It is possible that the devices in your network are connecting with these other access points, which can cause your network distress. Check out this situation by changing your router setting for “Broadcast ID” (SSID) to something more memorable. Then, make sure your employees are all connecting to the correct network.
Check the ISP
If all else fails, you need to check your ISP. Make a phone call and make sure there is no outage.
If you have questions about troubleshooting your network problems, contact West County Computers today.
