The Internet has been around for almost 30 years and it’s now as crucial to many of us as electricity.
And since the start of wi-fi in 1997, we’ve become even more dependent upon our need for access to the World Wide Web.
You use your wireless Internet connection for both personal and professional projects, and it’s super important that it stays working fast and reliably, right?
But there are always going to be some of those frustrating times when you can’t get online. Ugh!
That’s where this article comes to the rescue. Keeping on reading to discover the top 5 reasons your wi-fi isn’t working and how to fix each problem quickly and easily.
1. Wi-Fi Hijackers
Who doesn’t love how simple wi-fi makes getting online? But if you’re not diligent about making your network secure, you could be leaving it open to anyone close enough to be in range.
Wi-fi networks without a password or one that is too weak are open and available to just about anyone. Having an open network is sure to slow down connections!
Your first step in making sure that you don’t have to deal with the frustration that happens when your wi-fi isn’t working is to make sure that you have a strong password.
You should also regularly view the IP addresses that have been connected to your wi-fi network to make sure that strangers haven’t been stealing your bandwidth.
Once your network password has been changed to a secure one, you should also change your router password, as well. This will give you extra insurance against would-be wi-fi thieves.
2. Digital Bottleneck
If your home or business is in a large neighborhood, you could be running into some issues with congestion. Too many people connecting to the same wi-fi channel at the same time can be the reason your wi-fi isn’t working.
How can you tell if you’re the victim of digital bottlenecking? If your Internet connection is slow during peak times, such as evenings or weekends, chances are that overuse is the issue.
You can fix this problem by switching to a different channel on your router. If you have a router that’s on a 2.4 GHz frequency, there are typically 11 different channels to choose from.
Try switching over to channels 1, 6, or 11 to cash-in on the benefits of a faster wi-fi connection. You might also want to consider upgrading to a router that’s running on a 5 GHz frequency to do away with congestion.
3. Out-of-Date Equipment
Speaking of upgrading your router, you should know that all of them are created equal when it comes to getting the fastest connections on all of your devices.
If you’re having an issue with slow connection speeds, the fix could be as simple as swapping out your old router for a new and improved version.
Common industry wisdom dictates that AC routers are better than older models. If you are looking for better performance and more features, you should look for an AC model when shopping for a new router.
4. Vulnerable Router Settings
You probably knew that your wireless security settings are responsible for keeping your network secure, but they could also be the culprit when your wi-fi isn’t working, as well, strange as that might seem.
If you have your wi-fi router set to “open” or you’re using WEP security, it’s time to update your settings! An open network will obviously allow anyone in to steal your bandwidth and the older WEP security option makes you vulnerable to hackers.
So what are your router security options? You can choose WPA, WPA2 with AES, or WPA2 with TKIP.
Out of these choices, you should avoid WPA and TKIP, as these are insecure protocols that are outdated and ineffective. And they can actually be slowing down your connection. Not good!
Your best bet is to change your router security settings to WPA2 with AES. Choosing the newer and more secure AES protocol option will keep your information safer, and it will also help your network run faster.
5. You’re Out of Range
Sometimes the easiest fix also turns out to be the most obvious one. Your issues with your wi-fi not working could be caused by you simply not being in the optimal range for your router.
Most routers aren’t designed to transmit signals through a large area, so you could be running into an issue with “digital dead zones” in your home or office.
You can help to make sure that you’re using your devices in the “hottest spots” for the fastest connection by creating a wi-fi heatmap to ensure the best coverage.
If you find that you have some serious problem areas, there are a few options for dealing with those dead zones. You can buy a wi-fi extender to boost the range of your router’s transmission. These are usually available from $20 to $120.
Or if you are serious about banishing digital dead zones, you can invest in a “mesh system” to boost your connection speeds. These will typically run you around $500 and are a surefire way to keep your wi-fi running in tip-top shape.
Mesh systems are made up of a series of smaller routers that sync together to boost the coverage area for your wireless network. When these mini-routers are spread evenly throughout your home or office, you’ll get a strong and fast connection no matter where you are.
Don’t Panic When Your Wi-Fi Isn’t Working
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