'Why isn't my internet working?': How to identify why you can't connect to the internet and troubleshoot accordingly

• Your internet may not be working for several reasons, including issues related to your device, its signal strength, or your router.
• It can be difficult to identify the source of internet connectivity problems, so you may have to run multiple tests to pinpoint the issue.
• If you can't troubleshoot the issue yourself, calling your internet provider is your best bet.

One of the most frustrating things that can happen is when your internet stops working. And it can be tough to know why. Is it your device? Your router? Your internet provider? Local power issues?

Finding the answer to why your internet isn't working usually requires a bit of troubleshooting.

How to troubleshoot your internet connection if it isn't working

To save you time, here are the most common causes of interrupted internet service and how to fix them.

Check your connection on a different device

If your internet is working on one device, but not another, the problem is most likely with the device itself. Here are some common issues and solutions for individual device connectivity:

1. Ensure your Wi-Fi is on and transmitting.

2. Double-check you're connected to a network.

3. You may be too far from your Wi-Fi router. Check your signal strength to see if you need to purchase additional routers or extenders to boost your signal.

4. If all else fails, reboot your device. This usually fixes any bugs that can cause issues with an internet connection.

Verify whether the site you're trying to access is experiencing loading issues

Sometimes sites go down and make it look like our internet is faulty when the problem is on their end. Try a different website and see if it loads faster than the one you're trying to go to.

If it does, go to DownDetector.com and check if other people are reporting issues with the site. If they are, you have your answer. If they aren't, try to access the site on a different browser instead.

See if your router is working properly

Every router has symbols and lights that mean slightly different things. Check the manual that comes with your router to see what these symbols mean, but pay extra attention to the one that signals a connection to the internet. If this light is off, you've found your problem.

If you need to restart your router, you can do it in a few easy steps.

1. Unplug the router and modem from the power source.

2. If your modem has backup batteries, you'll need to remove those as well for the reboot to work.

3. Wait 30 seconds.

4. Plug the router and modem back in, and replace any batteries you removed.

5. Wait for your internet to reconnect.

Reach out to your internet provider

If your router and modem indicate that your internet is connected, but you can't get online on any of your devices, or if you tried rebooting and the light will not come on, you'll have to place a call to your provider.

They may walk you through a new troubleshooting process or inform you that there is an outage in your area.

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• How to boost your internet speed at home in 8 ways, and make sure you're not being overcharged for low speeds

• How to find the IP address of your internet router using a Mac, PC, iPhone, or Android

• 'What is a good internet speed?': The internet speeds you should aim for, based on how you use the internet

• How to change your Wi-Fi password and secure your internet connection

• What you can do with an IP address, and how to protect yours from hackers