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What to Do If Your Internet Goes Down

Losing internet access can be frustrating and disruptive, especially when youโ€™re working, streaming, or attending a virtual meeting. Internet outages can happen due to network issues, ISP problems, router failures, or device settings. Hereโ€™s a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and restore your connection as quickly as possible.

๐Ÿš€ Brought to you by Axio Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider in Scottsdale, Arizona. We help businesses and individuals maintain stable and secure internet connections.


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 1: Check If Itโ€™s Just You or a Wider Outage

โœ” Try opening different websites or apps on multiple devices.
โœ” If only one device is offline, the issue is likely with that device.
โœ” If all devices are offline, check if your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is down.

๐Ÿ”น How to Check for an ISP Outage:
โœ… Use mobile data to visit Downdetector and search for your ISP.
โœ… Check your ISPโ€™s website or social media for outage reports.
โœ… Ask a neighbor or coworker if their internet is working.

โœ… If itโ€™s an ISP outage, you may have to wait for them to fix it. Otherwise, continue troubleshooting!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 2: Restart Your Modem and Router

โœ” Unplug both your modem and router for 30 seconds.
โœ” Plug the modem in first, wait 1-2 minutes, then plug in the router.
โœ” Wait for all the lights to stabilize, then check if your internet is back.

โœ… A simple reboot fixes most connection issues!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 3: Check Your Wi-Fi Connection

โœ” Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on and that youโ€™re connected to the correct network.
โœ” Try switching to a wired connection (Ethernet cable) to see if Wi-Fi is the issue.
โœ” Move closer to the router or switch from 2.4GHz to 5GHz Wi-Fi for better performance.

โœ… If Ethernet works but Wi-Fi doesnโ€™t, your router may need a reset or repositioning!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 4: Run a Troubleshooter (Windows/Mac)

โœ” Windows: Click on the Wi-Fi icon > Troubleshoot Problems and follow the steps.
โœ” Mac: Go to System Preferences > Network > Assist Me > Diagnostics.

โœ… Built-in tools can detect and fix minor network issues automatically!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 5: Check for Loose Cables & Power Issues

โœ” Ensure all cables are securely plugged in, including:

  • Power cables for the modem and router.
  • Ethernet cables connecting devices.
  • Coaxial or fiber cables (for cable or fiber internet).
    โœ” Try plugging the router into a different power outlet.

โœ… Physical connections can sometimes come loose or get unplugged!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 6: Check for ISP Connection Issues

โœ” Look at your modem/router lights:

  • ๐Ÿ”ต Solid lights = Connection is stable.
  • ๐Ÿ”ด Flashing or no light on “Internet” = No connection to ISP.
    โœ” If the modemโ€™s DSL, Cable, or WAN light is off, your ISP may be down.

๐Ÿ”น How to Fix:
โœ… Call your ISP support line and ask if there are service disruptions.
โœ… If they confirm an issue, you may have to wait for repairs.

โœ… If your ISP says everything is fine, continue troubleshooting!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 7: Reset Your Modem & Router to Factory Settings

โœ” If your internet still isnโ€™t working, try a factory reset on your router.
โœ” Press and hold the reset button on the router for 10-30 seconds (usually on the back).
โœ” Set up your network again and check for connectivity.

โœ… Factory resets remove custom settings but can fix deep network issues!


๐Ÿ“Œ Step 8: Contact Your ISP or IT Support

โœ” If nothing works, contact your ISP or IT department (if at work).
โœ” Be ready to provide:

  • Your account number or service address.
  • Details about when the issue started and troubleshooting steps you’ve tried.
  • Whether youโ€™ve noticed slow speeds or full outages.

โœ… Your ISP can run remote diagnostics and may need to send a technician!


๐Ÿ“Œ What to Do If You Need Internet Immediately

๐Ÿ”น Use Mobile Hotspot โ€“ Enable your phoneโ€™s hotspot to connect your computer temporarily.
๐Ÿ”น Find a Nearby Wi-Fi Spot โ€“ A coffee shop, library, or coworking space can provide temporary internet.
๐Ÿ”น Tether Your Phone via USB โ€“ Connect your phone to your laptop for a more stable connection.

โœ… These options can keep you online while waiting for repairs!


๐Ÿ’ก Axio Networks Pro Tip

For business users, implementing network redundancy, enterprise-grade routers, and backup internet solutions (such as LTE failover) ensures continuous internet connectivity, even during outages. Need expert IT solutions? Axio Networks provides managed networking servicesโ€”contact us today! ๐Ÿš€