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Common Network Problems and their Solutions

Have you ever run into a situation where your computer just won't work and you don't know why? It's irritating when that happens to your home computer, but it is potentially disastrous if it happens to a business network. Besides, network problems on a business network need to be fixed before you can use remote desktop software such as Remote Utilities.

While your IT team should be able to handle most network problems, you can save a lot of time and money by handling these matters yourself. Presented here are a few of the most common network problems and their possible solutions.

Wireless Network Shows Signal but won't Connect

Wireless networking is a terrific way to make sure that your employees are able to move freely while maintaining access to all their business files. However, some notebooks and computers occasionally show a strong signal from the wireless router but still don't connect. If you encounter this problem, try putting the computer right next to the wireless router and see if it connects then. If it does, then that suggests a problem with the system hardware. A network card occasionally receives a strong signal but doesn't transmit as effectively. Updating the network card's drivers might solve this problem, but it is also possible that you may need to replace the hardware entirely should this occur.

Network Outages and Inaccessible Files

If you experience a high number of network outages at unpredictable times or you find your employees unable to access files they are supposed to have access to, you might be experiencing a NetBIOS conflict. This problem tends to be most common on older systems, particularly when they use Windows NT, but the issue exists in other Windows systems as well. If you have recently upgraded to a new service pack or received another large system update, you are more at risk of this happening than previously. You can bypass this problem by disabling WINS/NetBT name resolution unless it is required by a specific program. You could also rename a computer or domain to resolve possible naming issues.

IP Conflicts

By default, Windows ensures that only one IP address per device has place on the network at once. However, sometimes two devices wind up getting assigned the same address. In this case, the network might wind up blocking one of the devices, which prevents access to protected files and can cause network lag not only for the conflicting devices but for all connected machines. You can avoid this problem by reconfiguring your DHCP setup to ensure that static IP addresses are excluded from the pool. This will reconfigure IP addresses appropriately, which will resolve the conflict and in return will lead to all machines on the network getting the proper access that they are supposed to get.

Slow Application Response

A common issue business networks encounter is a slow reaction time for applications, especially shortly after a computer starts up or connects to a network. This is usually a sign of high bandwidth use. You should perform a time study of your employees to make sure they aren't viewing too many videos via streaming or downloading large files. Enforcing proper network use may be a good way of keeping your bandwidth use in hand. If your employees are already using the network properly, you might not have the amount of bandwidth you need to operate your business. In this case, you should look into upgrading your network to properly fit your expanding business needs.

Poor VoIP Quality

Stutters, delays, and other problems with VoIP can hamper a network's productivity and hurt telecommunications efforts. The most common issue with business VoIP is a network stutter. This can be resolved by installing jitter buffers, which cache VoIP packets and allow them to be accessed during the communication in order to ensure a smooth stream. Jitter buffers can be customized to fit the needs of your network and are rather easy and inexpensive to install. Another option you can use to prevent this issue is a new playback codec with a packet loss concealment feature. Packet loss is the other major cause of stuttering audio and video, and making sure your codecs and drivers are up to date helps a lot.

These common network issues can strike any business, but they are easily resolved with only a little bit of time and effort. You can use the advice outlined above to handle these minor issues and free up your IT team for other more significant problems. This will save you a lot of time and give you a chance to boost the overall productivity of your business network.

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4 Quick Solutions To Windows Network Connection Problems

Check Your Hosts File

Windows can use the hosts file to set IP addresses to particular domains.  This means though that it can be used to redirect or effectively cut off your Internet access.Create your own Internet Filter with the Windows Hosts file Create your own Internet Filter with the Windows Hosts fileREAD MORE

When I need to troubleshoot an Internet connection, this is usually the first place I look.

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To view the file in Windows XP, just open up Notepad and go to File->Open.  Then, navigate to your C drive, then to the “Windows” Folder, then “System32” folder, then “drivers” folder, then “etc” folder and finally, open the file named “hosts“.

You may have to change where it says “Text Documents” to “All Files” to see the hosts file.

After you have the file open, it should look something like this:

It should only have the heading stuff and maybe the line designating the localhost.  Anything else should be deleted.

The instructions are the same for Vista and Windows 7, only instead of just opening Notepad, you have to right click the Notepad icon and choose to “Run as administrator” to edit the file.

Check Your TCP/IP Settings

Another issue may be that your TCP/IP settings were altered in some way.

For XP, got to Control Panel and then Network Connections.

In Windows Vista/7, go to the Control Panel and then the Network and Sharing Center.  In 7, click on “change adapter settings.”�  In Vista, click on “manage network connections“.

In all versions of Windows, after you get to the places designated above, right click the device giving you trouble, either the Wireless card or Ethernet card.  Then select “Properties.”

Something looking like the following window should pop up.

Click on Internet Protocol Version 6 and then hit “Properties“.  You should see something like the following.

If either the IP or DNS server address are not set to automatic, set them to be automatic.

Repeat this for Internet Protocol Version 4.

Reset Your TCP/IP Manually

Sometimes, you may just need to reset your TCP/IP.  This can easily be done at the command line in Windows.

For Windows XP, go to Start->Run.  Type “cmd” and press enter.  A command window should pop up.  Then type “netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt” and press enter.  You will then have to restart your computer.

For Windows Vista/7, you have to run the Command Prompt as an administrator.  To do that, just type “cmd” in your start menu’s search bar.  Right click the “cmd” icon that should come up and select “Run as administrator.”  Then type the same as indicated above, press enter, and restart.

Reset Your Winsock Manually

Winsock, short for Windows Socket API, is how Windows handles network services.  A reset of this may fix a network problem.

Resetting your Winsock is similar to resetting TCP/IP.  Open a Command Prompt as laid out above for your version of Windows and type “netsh winsock reset“.  Then press enter and restart your computer.

Sometimes even these steps will not fix a faulty connection.  If that’s the case, you can try googling the exact problem or contacting someone with network experience.

If you know any other quick solutions to fixing network connection problems, please lets us know in the comments below.

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With the proliferation of smart home devices, online gaming platforms, and streaming video services, maintaining a strong Internet connection at home is more important than ever. If you're experiencing lag while playing League of Legends, or it takes forever to download music, there's good chance that the problem is on your end and not an Internet Service Provider (ISP) issue. Before you schedule a service call with your cable company, check out our tips for troubleshooting your Internet connection.

Is Your Router Getting Power?
If you can't connect to the Internet at all, the first thing you should do is take a look at your router's LED status indicators. If there are no lights at all, the router is probably unplugged or powered down. Disconnect the power cord and reconnect it after a minute or two. Make sure that the Power switch is in the On position. If the router still isn't powering up, you may have a failed power adapter, a faulty power strip, or a fried router.

Check Your Status
If the Power LED is lit, check the Internet or WAN indicator. On most routers, this should be green and may be flashing. If your router doesn't have status indicators, look around back to see if the Ethernet port lights are flashing. If there is no activity, turn the router off. Unplug and reconnect each cable, making sure each cable is seated correctly in the appropriate port. Wait a few minutes before rebooting the router. If you still can't connect to the Internet, try the next step.

Cable Connection Okay?
Before you start thinking about resetting or replacing your router, inspect the cable connection coming into your home. This is usually located on the side of your house and may or may not be housed in an enclosure. Make sure that the main cable hasn't been chewed up by a squirrel or knocked loose by debris from a storm. If a cable splitter is being used, make sure each connection is tight and the connectors are properly crimped. If the splitter looks suspect (i.e., rusty or dirty), try replacing it.

Start Fresh
If rebooting your router doesn't do the trick, try resetting it to its factory defaults and performing a fresh install. For most routers, this is done by pressing a very small reset button on the rear panel and holding it down for several seconds until the LED lights begin flashing. Once reset, use the accompanying disk or Web-based setup utility to reinstall the router.

Make Sure Your Firmware Is Current
Firmware is embedded software, installed at the factory on a read-only memory (ROM) chip, which allows the router hardware to implement network and security protocols. Most vendors provide downloadable firmware updates that resolve performance issues, add new features, and increase throughput performance. Look for the firmware update tool in the System section of your router's management console and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that you are installing the correct firmware version. Do not download firmware from a third-party site.

Do You Need an Extender?
If you can wirelessly connect to the Internet in one room, but not another, check your router's Wi-Fi signal strength. Look at the network connection icon on your PC or mobile device to see how many bars are showing. If you're only seeing one or two bars, your Wi-Fi signal may be too weak to maintain a strong Internet connection. Try connecting to another band if you have a dual-band router. Readjusting the router's antennas or changing the location of your router (if possible) can help improve range as well. If relocating the router is out of the question, a range extender may be required to boost the router's Wi-Fi signal. We like the Tenda P1002P 2-Port Powerline Adapter Kit and the TP-Link AC1750 (RE450).

Is Your PC/Phone/Tablet Configured Correctly?
If you can browse the Web with your laptop, but can't connect with your smartphone or another PC, check the problem device's network settings. For smartphones, go to your Wi-Fi settings and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled and that you are connected to the proper SSID using the correct security password. Make sure Airplane Mode is disabled and that your time and date are correct. For Windows clients, make sure the Wi-Fi switch is turned on, and that the device is not in Airplane Mode. Right-click on the network icon in your system tray and select Troubleshoot Problems to run the Windows Network Diagnostic routine. Very often this will correct common issues by resetting the adapter. Also, check your network adapter settings to make sure that the adapter is functioning properly and is using the latest driver.

Make Sure Your PC Is Healthy
Check for spyware, viruses, and malware. These programs are easily downloaded and installed, without your knowledge, while you're surfing the Web. They can run undetected and have a significant impact on your Web surfing speed and overall system performance. There are plenty of free and subscription-based utilities available that will detect and eradicate these programs and prevent them being downloaded and installed in the first place.

Time to Upgrade Your Router?
If you're using an older 802.11b or 802.11g model, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer, more powerful router, especially if you have multiple client devices vying for bandwidth. A dual-band router gives you two radio bands to choose from and allows you to dedicate a band to clients that require lots of bandwidth, like streaming video devices and gaming consoles. Moreover, newer routers employ the latest technologies to deliver speedy throughput, with enhanced Wi-Fi range. Check out our list of the 10 best wireless routers when you're ready to take the plunge.

Last Resort: Dial Up Your ISP
If you've tried everything and are still experiencing Internet connection woes, it's time to call your service provider. It could be that the problem is on its end and may require a new connection at the pole coming into your house and/or new equipment such as a cable modem or amplifier. If you're experiencing slowdowns at certain times of the day (think: after-school hours) it's possible that your ISP is simply unable to handle the increased user load in which case you may want to find a new service provider. Lucky for you, we've tested the to find the fastest ISPs in the country.
With the proliferation of smart home devices, online gaming platforms, and streaming video services, maintaining a strong Internet connection at home is more important than ever. If you're experiencing lag while playing League of Legends, or it takes forever to download music, there's good chance that the problem is on your end and not an Internet Service Provider (ISP) issue. Before you schedule a service call with your cable company, check out our tips for troubleshooting your Internet connection.

Is Your Router Getting Power?
If you can't connect to the Internet at all, the first thing you should do is take a look at your router's LED status indicators. If there are no lights at all, the router is probably unplugged or powered down. Disconnect the power cord and reconnect it after a minute or two. Make sure that the Power switch is in the On position. If the router still isn't powering up, you may have a failed power adapter, a faulty power strip, or a fried router.

Check Your Status
If the Power LED is lit, check the Internet or WAN indicator. On most routers, this should be green and may be flashing. If your router doesn't have status indicators, look around back to see if the Ethernet port lights are flashing. If there is no activity, turn the router off. Unplug and reconnect each cable, making sure each cable is seated correctly in the appropriate port. Wait a few minutes before rebooting the router. If you still can't connect to the Internet, try the next step.

Cable Connection Okay?
Before you start thinking about resetting or replacing your router, inspect the cable connection coming into your home. This is usually located on the side of your house and may or may not be housed in an enclosure. Make sure that the main cable hasn't been chewed up by a squirrel or knocked loose by debris from a storm. If a cable splitter is being used, make sure each connection is tight and the connectors are properly crimped. If the splitter looks suspect (i.e., rusty or dirty), try replacing it.

Start Fresh
If rebooting your router doesn't do the trick, try resetting it to its factory defaults and performing a fresh install. For most routers, this is done by pressing a very small reset button on the rear panel and holding it down for several seconds until the LED lights begin flashing. Once reset, use the accompanying disk or Web-based setup utility to reinstall the router.

Make Sure Your Firmware Is Current
Firmware is embedded software, installed at the factory on a read-only memory (ROM) chip, which allows the router hardware to implement network and security protocols. Most vendors provide downloadable firmware updates that resolve performance issues, add new features, and increase throughput performance. Look for the firmware update tool in the System section of your router's management console and follow the instructions carefully to ensure that you are installing the correct firmware version. Do not download firmware from a third-party site.

Do You Need an Extender?
If you can wirelessly connect to the Internet in one room, but not another, check your router's Wi-Fi signal strength. Look at the network connection icon on your PC or mobile device to see how many bars are showing. If you're only seeing one or two bars, your Wi-Fi signal may be too weak to maintain a strong Internet connection. Try connecting to another band if you have a dual-band router. Readjusting the router's antennas or changing the location of your router (if possible) can help improve range as well. If relocating the router is out of the question, a range extender may be required to boost the router's Wi-Fi signal. We like the Tenda P1002P 2-Port Powerline Adapter Kit and the TP-Link AC1750 (RE450).

Is Your PC/Phone/Tablet Configured Correctly?
If you can browse the Web with your laptop, but can't connect with your smartphone or another PC, check the problem device's network settings. For smartphones, go to your Wi-Fi settings and make sure Wi-Fi is enabled and that you are connected to the proper SSID using the correct security password. Make sure Airplane Mode is disabled and that your time and date are correct. For Windows clients, make sure the Wi-Fi switch is turned on, and that the device is not in Airplane Mode. Right-click on the network icon in your system tray and select Troubleshoot Problems to run the Windows Network Diagnostic routine. Very often this will correct common issues by resetting the adapter. Also, check your network adapter settings to make sure that the adapter is functioning properly and is using the latest driver.

Make Sure Your PC Is Healthy
Check for spyware, viruses, and malware. These programs are easily downloaded and installed, without your knowledge, while you're surfing the Web. They can run undetected and have a significant impact on your Web surfing speed and overall system performance. There are plenty of free and subscription-based utilities available that will detect and eradicate these programs and prevent them being downloaded and installed in the first place.

Time to Upgrade Your Router?
If you're using an older 802.11b or 802.11g model, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer, more powerful router, especially if you have multiple client devices vying for bandwidth. A dual-band router gives you two radio bands to choose from and allows you to dedicate a band to clients that require lots of bandwidth, like streaming video devices and gaming consoles. Moreover, newer routers employ the latest technologies to deliver speedy throughput, with enhanced Wi-Fi range. Check out our list of the 10 best wireless routers when you're ready to take the plunge.

Last Resort: Dial Up Your ISP
If you've tried everything and are still experiencing Internet connection woes, it's time to call your service provider. It could be that the problem is on its end and may require a new connection at the pole coming into your house and/or new equipment such as a cable modem or amplifier. If you're experiencing slowdowns at certain times of the day (think: after-school hours) it's possible that your ISP is simply unable to handle the increased user load in which case you may want to find a new service provider. Lucky for you, we've tested the to find the fastest ISPs in the country.

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Method 1: Test other known good sitesStart Internet Explorer, and then enter one of the following addresses in the Address bar at the top of the browser window:

http://www.microsoft.com

http://www.msn.comIf you do not experience network connectivity problems when you type one of these addresses in the Address bar, we recommend that you contact the owner of the Web site where you see the problem. The site may be temporarily offline or experiencing other issues of its own.

However, if you continue to experience network connectivity problems when you type one of these addresses in the Address bar, there may be a conflict with other software that is installed on the system. In this case, go to the method 2.

Method 2: Verify the network connectionMake sure that the cables that connect the computer to the Internet or your home network are secured firmly. Additionally, make sure that the network devices that your computer uses are turned on and working correctly. Then, follow these steps to verify network connectivity, as appropriate for your situation.

Step 1: Verify external DSL modem, cable modem or dial-up modem connectivity

If you use an external modem, check the following:

1. Verify that the cable that connects the modem to the wall is connected securely. The cable will most likely connect to either a telephone jack or to a cable outlet.

2. Verify that the cable that connects the computer to the modem is attached securely at both ends and that the connector on each end of the cable has clicked into position if it is a network cable. A network cable will resemble a telephone cable, although it may be thicker, and the connector on each end will be larger.

3. If the cable that connects the external modem to the computer is a USB cable, you must perform some additional checks. A USB cable will have different connectors on each end of the cable. One end will be flat and rectangular, and the other end will have a square connector with angles on two of the corners. To verify a USB connection, try the following:

1. If the modem is attached to the computer by using a USB hub, try to bypass the USB hub. You can bypass the USB hub by plugging the cable from the device directly into one of the USB ports on the computer.

2. If the modem is plugged into one of the ports on the front of your desktop computer, try plugging the USB cable into one of the ports on the back of the computer instead. Some computers do not provide sufficient power to the front USB ports. This may create problems with the connection to the modem.

Step 2: Verify the internal modem device connectionsIf the modem that is used to connect to the Internet is inside the computer, there should be only one cable coming out of the modem device. Verify that the cable that connects the modem to the wall outlet is connected securely at each end. The cable will most likely connect to either a telephone jack or a cable outlet.

Step 3: Verify the home network connectivityIf the computer connects to the Internet through a home network, we recommend that you check the items in the following list, as appropriate for your situation.

Wireless connection

If the computer uses a wireless connection to the home network, we recommend that you read the following articles on the "Windows Vista Help and How-to Web" site:

To troubleshoot problems that are related to detecting wireless networks, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/7805207d-b0b9-4159-b36f-ab81a1f376c21033.mspx

To troubleshoot problems that are related to low wireless signal quality, visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/fbb50492-3623-450d-8fd5-92cc74fab0ae1033.mspx

Wired connection

If the computer uses a wired connection (This connection is also known as an Ethernet connection.), we recommend that you read the "I can’t connect to my home network” section in the following article that is titled “Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems”:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/33307acf-0698-41ba-b014-ea0a2eb8d0a81033.mspxIf you want additional guidance about specific network configurations, hardware configurations, or network configurations, we recommend that you contact the vendor of the network hardware that you are using.

Note You may have to contact your Internet service provider (ISP) to verify connectivity.

Method 4: Other connectivity issues or network-related issuesOne potential cause of network connectivity problems is that the network or the Internet connection that you are using to go online is experiencing a problem. You can test for this by using the following troubleshooting steps:

Step 1.Restart the modem or the routerIt is sometimes possible that the IP settings or network configuration that you receive from the Internet service provider are incorrect or must be updated. Sometimes, the connection between the modem and the ISP may be experiencing problems. To update the settings on the modem or the router, you must restart the device. Restarting the device will also create a fresh connection to the Internet service provider. Use one of the following methods to restart the modem, depending on the type of modem that you have.

External modem

To restart an external modem, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect the cable that connects your computer or router to the modem. This may be either a USB cable or a network cable.

2. Turn off the modem. If the modem does not have a power switch, disconnect the power cord from the back of the modem, or unplug it from the wall.

3. After waiting for several minutes, turn on the modem, reconnect the cable from the computer or the router to the modem, and then restart the computer.

4. Test your connection again to see whether you can access the Internet.If you still experience network connectivity problems, go to step 2.

Internal modem

To restart an internal modem, you must restart the computer. If you still experience network connectivity problems after you restart the computer, go to step 2.

Step 2. Verify the firewall or the router settingsIf you connect to the Internet by using a router, there may be a problem with the configuration settings, and they must be updated. To determine whether a network connectivity problem is being caused by a mis-configuration or by a problem with the router, you can bypass the router and connect your computer directly to the modem.

Caution Connecting your computer directly to the Internet may leave it vulnerable to attacks. To protect the computer against attacks, make sure that a firewall is installed and that the firewall is enabled on your computer. To find out about the Windows Firewall that is included in Windows Vista, see the "Windows Firewall" section.

Windows Firewall

Windows Vista includes a firewall called the Windows Firewall. By default, the Windows Firewall is enabled. However, you must still verify that the Windows Firewall is enabled before you connect the computer to the Internet. To verify that the Windows Firewall is enabled, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

2. In the search box at the upper-right corner of Control Panel, type security.

3. In the search results that appear, click the icon or the link for Security Center. In the window that is displayed, you will see four bars that are titled Firewall, Automatic updating, Malware protection, and Other security settings.

4. Click the right arrow button on the Firewall bar to expand the bar. The expanded bar will display one of the following three options:

1. If the Firewall bar is green, it means that the firewall is enabled.

2. If the Firewall bar is red, you may see a message that the Windows Firewall is turned off. To turn on the Windows Firewall and to cause the Firewall bar in security center to turn green, click Turn on now.

3. If the Firewall bar is red, and the message describes a problem with a third-party firewall program, we recommend that you disconnect the computer from the network, and then contact the vendor of that firewall program for more information about how to turn on the third-party firewall program.For more information about the Windows Firewall in Windows Vista, visit the following "Windows Help and How-to" Web sites:

To read the article, "Firewall: frequently asked questions," visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/33307acf-0698-41ba-b014-ea0a2eb8d0a81033.mspx

To read the article, "What is a firewall?," visit the following Microsoft Web site:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/4673a386-2e73-4b7a-a333-6f826a3d44b41033.mspx

To find out more about Windows Firewall, read the article, "Windows Firewall: recommended links," at the following Microsoft Web site:http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/05eee553-6a90-456a-b9e5-fcb4233905431033.mspx

For more information about the relationship between Windows Firewall and Windows Security Center in Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
929462 Description of the relationship between Windows Firewall and Windows Security Center in Windows Vista
After you connect the computer directly to the modem, test Internet Explorer. If you are now able to access the Web sites that you were unable to access before, contact the router's manufacturer for help in configuring the device. If you are still unable to access any Web sites, go to step 3.

Step 3. Verify device compatibilityFor a modem or a network adapter to work correctly in Windows Vista, it must be compatible with Windows Vista. Additionally, it must have device drivers that can be used by Windows Vista to communicate with the device. To find out whether the modem or the network adapter that you are using is compatible with Windows Vista, you must first determine what adapter model you have in the computer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, type device manager in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.

2. Click the entry for Device Manager that appears in the search results.

3. Expand the entry for the type of device that you are looking for. For example, expand Network adapters.

Note The specific type of device that you must look for will be determined by the way that you connect this computer to the Internet. For example, if you connect to the Internet by using a wireless network connection, you must look for information about a wireless network adapter and you must expand Network adapters.

4. Note the entries that appear under Network adapters.

5. On another computer, start Internet Explorer.

6. Type the following address, and then press ENTER:http://whql.microsoft.com/hcl/

7. Search for the network adapter that you noted in step 4. Information that is contained on this Web site will tell you if the network adapter is compatible with Windows Vista.If you cannot determine the type of modem or of network adapter that you have in your computer, or if that device shows that it is experiencing a problem, we recommend that you contact the OEM or the hardware vendor from whom you obtained this adapter.

For information about your hardware manufacturer, visit the following Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/vendors/en-usIf the device that you are looking for is either an internal DSL modem or an internal cable modem, we recommend that you contact the Internet service provider that gave you the modem. Some potential problems that you might see include the following:

The modem or the network adapter is missing from Device Manager.

The modem or the network adapter is listed as an Unknown Device or with a generic name such as Ethernet Adapter or PCI Simple Communications Controller.

The modem or the network adapter is marked with either a red X or a yellow exclamation point.If you still experience network connectivity problems after you verify that the modem or the network adapter is compatible with Windows Vista and that the latest drivers for the device are installed, go to step 4.

Step 4. Create a System Restore point before you reset the Winsock protocol

Important Before you follow the steps that are described in the "Reset the Winsock protocol" section, we recommend that you use the System Restore tool in Windows Vista to create a restore point on the computer. This will let you roll back the computer to the point in time before any changes were made in case these changes create new problems.

Create a System Restore point

To create a System Restore point by using System Restore, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, right-click Computer, and then click Properties.

2. In the task pane, click the System protection link. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

3. Click Create on the lower-right corner of the System Properties dialog box.

4. In the System Protection dialog box, type a suitable name in the box. For example, type Computer before network changes, and then click Create.

5. As soon as the restore point is successfully created, the following notification is displayed:The restore point was created successfully.

6. Click OK two times.

Reset the Winsock protocol

Another possible cause of network connectivity problems is the mis-configuration or the corruption of the Winsock protocol on the computer. This protocol is used by Windows to communicate with other computers and to access resources on the Internet, such as e-mail and Web sites. If there is a problem with Winsock, Windows Vista will no longer be able to access the Internet.

Caution Programs that access or that monitor the Internet, such as antivirus programs, firewall programs, and proxy clients, may be adversely affected when you reset the configuration of the Winsock protocol. If you have a program that no longer functions correctly after you follow these steps, you may have to uninstall and then reinstall the program to restore its functionality, or you may have to repair the program by using the application’s Setup program.

After the restore point has been successfully created, reset the configuration of the Winsock protocol back to its default settings.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and in Start Search, type cmd.

2. Right-click the cmd entry that appears in the search results, and then click Run as administrator. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Continue.

3. At the command prompt, type the following, and then press ENTER:netsh winsock resetThen, you should see the following message:Successfully reset the Winsock Catalog. You must restart the computer in order to complete the reset.

4. Restart the computer.

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Amir Nur Rashid Bin Khairudin (03DDT16F1073)

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Amir Nur Rashid Bin Khairudin (03DDT16F1073)

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Step 1: Check WAN and LAN connections

Physical connections are an oft-overlooked common culprit. Check all wireless access point (AP) or wireless router ports to ensure that Ethernet cables are inserted tightly and link status LEDs are green at both ends. If not:

Verify that devices at both ends of each Ethernet cable are powered on and that ports are enabled. For example, your AP may be connected to a wall port that is disabled, or the upstream switch or modem may be off.

Try swapping Ethernet cables to isolate a damaged cable or connector.

Check your AP or router manual to ensure that you're using the right type of cable. For example, Internet/WAN ports may require crossover cables.

Connect another Ethernet-capable device, such as a laptop, to the affected AP or router port. If link status LEDs change, the device that you just replaced may be failing link auto-negotiation. Check port configurations at both ends and reconfigure as needed to match speed and duplex mode.

Figure 1. Check physical connections.

Step 2: Verify wireless adapter

It might seem obvious, but it's important to ensure the client's Wi-Fi adapter used for network troubleshooting is enabled and ready to connect.

When using a Windows client, select your wireless network adapter from the Network Connections Control Panel and check to see if its status is Enabled. If not, right-click to enable the connection. If this fails when using a laptop, look for a function key or physical button or slider-switch to take the laptop out of airplane mode. If this fails when using a removable client such as a USB adapter, remove and re-insert it.

When using an Apple iOS client, use the Settings app to verify that your iPhone or iPad is not in airplane mode and that Wi-Fi is on and ready to connect. For further iOS client troubleshooting, see Part 2 of this series.

On an Android client, use the Settings app in a similar manner to verify that your smartphone or tablet is not in airplane mode and that Wi-Fi is on. For further Android client troubleshooting, see Part 3 of this series.

Figure 2. Verify Wi-Fi client adapter is enabled.

Step 3: Verify AP and router settings

Use your wireless access point or router's administrative GUI to verify network settings for the wireless network service set identifier (SSID) to which your Wi-Fi client is trying to connect.

Locate the SSID that you're troubleshooting. On a basic wireless router, there may be just one SSID, or one for each radio band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). On a small business or enterprise AP, there may be several SSIDs used to segregate wireless clients and their traffic.

Identify the IP subnet [and, if applicable, virtual LAN (VLAN) ID] assigned to that SSID. Upon successful connection, your Wi-Fi client should receive a local IP address from this subnet.

Identify the router or AP's own local IP address that should be reachable through this subnet (and, if applicable, VLAN).

Check your router's events log or status GUI to verify that an IP address from this subnet is indeed assigned to your Wi-Fi client when it connects.

Figure 3. Verify AP or router's network settings.

Step 4: Verify

TCP/IP settings

Although we describe using Windows to manage wireless connections here, troubleshooting is conceptually similar when using other kinds of Wi-Fi clients.

Open the network connections control panel and select your wireless network adapter. If the status is still Disabled, return to step 2.

If status is Not Connected, select your wireless network's SSID and click Connect. If your network's SSID does not appear in the list or you cannot connect to your network, go to step 8 to debug wireless settings.

While attempting to connect, status may change briefly to Authenticatingor Acquiring Network Address, then Connected. At that point, use Status/Support to determine the client's assigned IP address. If the client's IP is 0.0.0.0 or 169.254.x.x, click Diagnose. If that persists, go to step 8.

Otherwise, if the Wi-Fi client's IP address is not in your AP or router's subnet, use the Properties/Internet (TCP/IP) panel to reconfigure the connection to get an address automatically and repeat step 4.

Figure 4. Verify wireless client's TCP/IP settings.

Step 5. Verify network connection with Ping

Once your wireless client has a valid IP address, use ping to verify network connectivity.

Run a Command Prompt window from the wireless client's Start menu and use it to ping your AP or router's IP address with the Internet Control Message Protocol as shown in Figure 5.

If pinging your AP or router repeatedly fails, skip to step 6.

If pinging your AP or router is successful, then ping any other wired or wireless LAN client that you wish to share files or printers with. If that ping fails, then the destination may be using a firewall to block incoming messages.

After disabling the destination's Windows firewall, ping again. If ping is now successful, then the firewall you disabled may also be blocking Windows network protocols. Reconfigure the firewall to permit the traffic you want to exchange between LAN clients. For example, re-enable the firewall and permit inbound file and printer sharing.

Figure 5. Test and permit desired traffic.

Step 6: Check wireless-specific issues

If your wireless client still cannot connect, get a valid IP address or ping your AP or router, then it's time to consider wireless-specific problems.

The wireless AP or router and client must use compatible 802.11 standards and the same network name (SSID). Use your AP or router's admin GUI to view WLAN settings and compare them to your client's wireless connection parameters.

If your SSID does not appear in the Client's Available Networks list, enable SSID broadcasts on your AP or router. Alternatively, add the SSID to your client's Wireless Networks list, allowing devices to connect even if the SSID is hidden. Be sure to match the SSID exactly, including capitalization.

802.11ac, dual-band 802.11n and older 802.11a clients can connect to 802.11ac or 802.11n APs or routers using channels in the 5 GHz band.

802.11n and older 802.11b/g clients can also connect to 802.11n APs or routers using channels in the 2.4 GHz band.

To connect older 802.11a or 802.11b/g clients, enable Mixed Mode and slower modulation and coding scheme rates on your AP or router. For example, to connect to 802.11b clients, at least the 11 Mbps rate must be enabled. To connect to 802.11g clients, at least the 54 Mbps rate must be supported. Even slow rates are needed to connect to old clients over longer distances.

Figure 6. Check radio settings.

Step 7: Look for a security mismatch

If a matched wireless client and AP or router can "hear" each other but still can't connect or exchange traffic, look for a security mismatch.

The client must support the security mode the AP or router requires: Open, WEP, WPA or WPA2. Unless the WLAN is open (unsecured), the AP or router and client must also have (or dynamically receive) the same keys used to encrypt traffic between them. Compare your AP or router's WLAN security settings to your client's wireless connection properties to match them.

If your AP or router uses WEP, set the client's encryption to WEP and match the authentication type (open or shared). Copy the AP or router's first WEP key to the client, translating from ASCII to hex if needed.

If your AP or router uses WPA-Personal, set the client's authentication to WPA-PSK and match the encryption type (TKIP). Enter the same passphrase on both devices Remember: Capitalization counts!

If your AP or router uses WPA2-Personal, set the client's authentication to WPA2-PSK, match the encryption type (AES) and enter the same passphrase on both devices. If you must support both WPA and WPA2 clients, set your AP or router to allow both TKIP and AES encryption.

If your AP or router uses WPA or WPA2-Enterprise, set the client's authentication to WPA or WPA2 respectively, match the encryption type and continue 802.1X set-up in step 8.

Figure 7. Check security settings.

Step 8: Ensure RADIUS is working

WPA and WPA2-Enterprise log the client into the network and deliver encryption keys using an 802.1X-capable RADIUS server. If you do not already have a RADIUS server, consult this tip. Otherwise, try the following:

Reconfigure your AP or router and server with a matching RADIUS secret.

Reconfigure your RADIUS server to accept requests from your AP or router.

Use ping to verify AP or router-to-RADIUS server network reachability.

Watch LAN packet counters to verify that RADIUS is being sent, or use a LAN analyzer debug RADIUS protocol issues.

Figure 8. Ensure RADIUS is working.

Step 9: Check 802.1X EAP and user login

If RADIUS is working but the client's access requests are rejected, look for an 802.1X Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) or user login problem.

Looking for more troubleshooting tips?

See Lisa Phifer’s step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot iPad and iPhone Wi-Fi connection issues and how to solve Android Wi-Fi connection problems.

Your client must support one of the EAP types your server requires and must supply a valid login and password, token, certificate or other kind of credential.

If your server requires EAP-TLS, select Smart Card or other Certificateon the client's Network Properties/Authentication panel.

If your server requires PEAP, select Protected EAP on that panel.

If your server requires EAP-TTLS or EAP-FAST, install a third-party 802.1X Supplicant program like Cisco's Trust Agent on the client.

Make sure that client and server EAP-specific properties match, including server certificate Trusted Root Authority, server domain name (optional) and tunneled authentication method (e.g., EAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-GTC).

If you are prompted to accept the server's certificate at connect time, examine the certificate carefully, verifying issuer and identity. Never add an unrecognized or suspicious certificate to your trusted list.

If EAP-TLS problems persist, use a Web browser to inspect the client's certificate and make sure the certificate is valid (e.g., not expired).

If PEAP problems persist, use CHAP Configure to prevent Windows auto-logon and enter a valid username and password when prompted.

If you still haven't spotted the problem, consult your RADIUS server's 802.1X documentation for EAP configuration and debugging hints.

Figure 9. Verify client's 802.1X/EAP settings.

Step 10: Check intermittent network connectivity issues

Finally, if your wireless client connects and pings successfully, but encounters intermittent network connectivity problems (e.g., some pings work, some fail), you may be experiencing poor signal strength, RF interference, or disconnection caused by AP roaming. See our Fixing wireless LAN problems tip for troubleshooting hints.

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