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How to verify my internet connection before troubleshooting

Before diving into troubleshooting any internet issues, it’s a good idea to first verify your internet connection to rule out any simple problems. Here’s how you can do that:


1. Check if Your Device Is Connected to the Internet

For Wi-Fi:

  • Check Wi-Fi Status: Make sure your device is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network. You should see a Wi-Fi icon at the top of your screen (on mobile devices) or in the system tray (on PCs).
  • Signal Strength: If your signal is weak, move closer to the router or consider using a Wi-Fi extender.
  • Toggle Wi-Fi: Turn Wi-Fi off and then back on to reset the connection.


For Wired (Ethernet) Connection:

  • Check Cable Connection: Ensure the Ethernet cable is securely connected between your device and the router.
  • Ethernet Icon: You should see a network icon (often a computer or plug) with no error in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).


2. Run a Speed Test

Using an online tool like Speedtest.net, run a quick test to verify your download and upload speeds:

  • If the speeds are significantly lower than what your ISP promises, it’s worth troubleshooting further.
  • Ping (Latency): If your ping is high (over 100ms), it could indicate network congestion or routing issues.


3. Check if Other Devices Are Connected

Verify if other devices on the same network (laptop, smartphone, smart TV) are experiencing the same issue:

  • If they are, the problem might be with your internet connection itself.
  • If only one device is having trouble, the issue may be with that specific device.


4. Check for Outages

Visit your ISP’s website or use a service like DownDetector to see if there are any ongoing outages or maintenance in your area. If there’s a widespread outage, you may need to wait for your ISP to resolve it.


5. Check Router Status Lights

Look at the lights on your router:

  • Power Light: Should be solid.
  • Internet Light: If this is off or blinking irregularly, your router may not have an active internet connection.
  • Wi-Fi Light: Should be on if the Wi-Fi network is active.


6. Verify DNS Settings

If you can’t access specific websites but your internet connection seems fine, it might be a DNS issue:
Try accessing a website using its IP address instead of its domain name (e.g., type 192.168.1.1 in the browser instead of www.example.com). If you can access it by IP, it’s likely a DNS problem.


7. Test with Other Websites or Apps

If you're having issues with one website, try accessing other websites or apps to verify if the problem is limited to one service or affects all internet usage.


8. Restart Your Modem/Router

Sometimes, restarting your modem/router can resolve temporary connectivity issues:

  1. Unplug the modem/router.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug it back in and wait for the lights to stabilize.
  4. Try connecting again.

Next Steps After Verification:

Once you've confirmed the issue is not related to simple connectivity, you can start troubleshooting. This may include:

  • Restarting your device.
  • Checking for any firmware or software updates.
  • Reaching out to your ISP if the problem is widespread or your internet speed is low.


Verifying your connection beforehand helps you identify if the problem is local to your device, the router, or if it’s something more complex, like an ISP issue.