How to Troubleshoot Your WiFi Router

Are you facing internet connectivity issues or finding that your WiFi isn’t performing up to par? Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered! Chris Saenz, our IT and Business Support expert, has compiled a set of quick troubleshooting tips for you to try at home.

1. Check the Router’s Power Cord

If your router seems lifeless, start by examining the power cord.

  • Ensure the cord is securely plugged in at both ends.
  • Directly connect to a wall outlet, avoiding power strips or extension cords.
  • Verify there’s power at the outlet, as a tripped breaker could be the culprit.
  • Once you spot at least one light on the router, move on to step 2.

2. Check the Cable Connections

Inspect the cable connections based on your router type:

  • Cable Routers:
    • Tighten the coaxial cable barrel without over-tightening.
  • Fixed-Wireless Routers:
    • Confirm the ethernet (CAT5) cable from the antenna is securely plugged in.
  • Phone Modems:
    • Ensure the telephone jack for your analog phone service is correctly connected.
  • Computers (Ethernet Connection):
    • Verify the ethernet cable clicks into place at both ends.

Once all physical connections are confirmed, proceed to Step 3.

3. Reboot the Router

Give your router a fresh start:

  • Unplug the power cord and wait for at least 30 seconds.
  • Plug it back in securely and observe the lights as they power on.
  • Allow a minute for the lights to settle.
  • Depending on your router model, observe various light behaviors.
  • Once the lights stabilize, try using the internet again.

If you encounter persistent issues, especially with the internet light, move to Step 4.

4. Check Your WiFi Connection

Time to assess your WiFi connection:

  • Confirm WiFi is enabled on your device and airplane mode is off.
  • Check WiFi settings and locate your router’s name in the network list.
  • Connect to your WiFi, entering the password if prompted.
  • If your device indicates “Connected but no internet,” contact us for further assistance.
  • If unable to connect, consider adjusting router position or contacting us for signal improvement tips.

If the WiFi network doesn’t appear, or if only specific devices face issues, there might be router configuration problems. In such cases, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional troubleshooting assistance. Remember to verify issues on multiple devices before reporting router problems involving a single device.