Solutions to fix your Internet Connection issues
WiFi no Internet - What checks can I do?
It is sometimes possible to have a WiFi no Internet situation. Firstly, check your Router or Hub to see if all of the lights are on as normal. (If you are not sure what colour the lights should be, check the supplied instructions). Second, make sure the Router is connected to the Internet, and that the telephone line hasn’t developed a fault. If you have another phone or iPad try to connect to the WiFi and test using Google.
Plug a laptop into the Router with an Ethernet cable and see if you can connect directly with a wired connection.
Check that your wireless device is showing the correct Router. Find the name of your Router and password written on the underneath, or on a slide out label.
Do you have an outstanding bill? I have known Service Providers to disable Broadband. This will give you WiFi no Internet situation.
WiFi Booster
WiFi Boosters or Repeaters should be plugged in and positioned halfway between where your Router is, and where you want to pick up the WiFi Signal but can’t. They rely on being able to receive the WiFi Signal themselves in order to re-transmit it and boost the coverage to a different area in your house.
Wifi Booster can be a single unit that plugs into a mains electric socket, or can be a series of linked devices. Together, these form a ‘Mesh’ system offering greater WiFi coverage.
Another cause could be a defective WiFi Booster or positioned too far from the router. If the Booster isn’t picking up the Broadband you will have a WiFi no Internet situation.
WiFi Connection
One way to measure your WiFi connection Signal Strength is to check the WiFi symbol on your phone or tablet. It indicates how strong the reception is so that you know how reliable the WiFi signal will be. You will see it alter as you move nearer or further away from the Hub. When using a Mobile Phone to connect to the Internet via the WiFi turn Mobile Data off. This will force your phone to use WiFi from your Router so you know you aren’t picking up the Internet from 4G or 5G signal.
WiFi Range
The Router should output a strong enough signal to cover an average sized house of 3 bedrooms. However reliable connection will be governed by individual house construction. WiFi Coverage is adversely affected by Metal RSJ’s, foil lined plasterboard and Celotex Insulation and also decreases with distance or brick wall thickness.
To increase the WiFi coverage area in your house you will either need a plug in Booster or Repeater, a Powerline Adaptor, or a wired Ethernet connection with CAT5 or CAT6 cable, and a Wireless Access Point connected to it. This will act like a second Router and is the best solution because it is hard wired to the Router.
Place Router on a Window Sill
Reception to a garden area or outbuilding can be improved if the Router is placed on a window sill. Because the signal radiated is going through glass rather than through a wall it will travel further.
Best WiFi Signal Booster
I often recommend the NetGear WiFi Signal Booster because a large number of customers have had good results when using it. It offers a cost effective solution without spending large amounts on equipment you don’t really need. You can also read the current reviews on Amazon which give you a direct comparison against similar products.
For a higher powered option, or where money is no object and you want the best, consider this model. The TP-Link RE650 AC2600 Universal Dual Band Range Extender
WiFi Won't Connect
Look at your wireless device – can you see the WiFi Signal Strength symbol? Is it showing a couple of bars? Make sure it is ‘looking’ at your Router and not a booster or neighbours WiFi network. Check your Router is powered up, and that the lights are on as they normally are. Is there a chance that the Router settings have been altered as a result of an upgrade or technical issue? Your IT person can check the Router settings to see if the Wireless access has been disabled.
Test with a different Wireless device such as an iPad or Laptop. Laptops can have a button often on the side, or on the ‘F’ keys which enable or disable the Wireless Receiver. Check that your laptop settings haven’t changed.
WiFi Drops
It’s very important to determine if it’s the WiFi that drops out that is causing the issue because of poor reception, or that it is the Router which loses sync with the Telephone Exchange.
As soon as your WiFi drops connection look at the lights displayed on your Router. Are they steady as normal, indicating that the Router is connected to the Telephone Exchange? If not, then you need to call your Service Provider and ask them to do a Line Test. Make sure your Broadband Connection Speed is within limits of what you are paying for.
If everything seems fine with the Router it is possible that there are a number of other devices connected and you are getting thrown off, or that something else is using a large amount of data like a Sky Box or SMART TV robbing your device of bandwidth.
Try another device or phone to rule out a technical issue with your gadget.
Lost WiFi
Check your Login details are correct for your current Router. If you have just changed Service Provider and they have sent you a new Router you will need to re enter the new Wireless Username and Password.
Firestick Won't Connect
A Firestick needs to receive a strong stable WiFi signal so that your TV doesn’t buffer or lose the program altogether. Using a WiFi Booster may help if your Firestick won’t connect and you can’t watch any films.
Ring Doorbell Won't Connect
There are two types of Ring Doorbell – those that commonly connect using WiFi and the more expensive model that offer direct Ethernet connection.
If it’s hard wired you can check for a break in the cable or a plug not inserted correctly.
If yours is the Wireless type, try standing near to it with your mobile phone or Ipad. Make sure that you are receiving a strong Wireless signal. Use the Signal Strength indicator on your device to check this.
Ring Doorbell Video Settings
If you have an Internet connection that is a bit slow, double check the Ring Doorbell settings. Adjust so that video is set to record ‘during an event’ such as a person coming to the door and not hogging your bandwidth all the time.
Any device that uses sound and video will take a larger share of the available data. Zoom meetings, Skype, Apple FaceTime, and YouTube videos need a good Broadband connection of at least 3Mbps to eliminate buffering to work properly.
If you are downloading or streaming a film from Netflix or Amazon at the same time as your Ring Doorbell is sending video you might run into problems with insufficient bandwidth. If you do not have Fibre to the Premises, sometimes your provider will upgrade you free of charge as long as Fibre is available in your area.
