“This Webpage is not available”. “Page Not Found”. “Unable to connect to the Internet”.
Few things send shivers down an IT team’s spine quite like the dreaded call: “The Internet is down!”
A stable and reliable Internet connection is the backbone of modern businesses. From cloud-based applications and VoIP phone systems to remote work and online customer interactions, almost every aspect of daily operations depends on seamless connectivity. So, when the Internet goes down unexpectedly, productivity grinds to a halt, frustration sets in, and the pressure mounts to find a quick solution.
For employees and business owners, the sudden loss of connectivity can be stressful, especially if there’s uncertainty about what steps to take next.
So, what should you do when the Internet is down? Below are some simple initial checks you can do yourself before looking for further help.
Of course, you’re always welcome to call us on 01992 466877, and we’ll be happy to help, but doing these checks will give us a better idea of how to help you, and may reveal that the problem is much simpler than it seems at first.
Try these checks first
Is it affecting everyone? Ask a colleague, or check another workstation.
If it’s everybody, and you know where your Internet router is, try powering it down for 20 seconds and switching it back on. Or if you’re not sure, feel free to ask us and we’ll always try to help.
Don’t worry, routers and office network devices typically don’t need to be shut down gracefully.
Simply pull the plug, leave it 20 seconds and plug it back in.
It might take up to 5 minutes for the kit to fully restart and your PC to connect.
Check a couple of websites. Preferably at least one you don’t access a lot.
We recommend using bbc.co.uk as a good site to try.
If you can access other sites, it might be that the site you were looking for is offline.
If other people can access it, perhaps try clearing your browser cache if you know how to.
What about Outlook? Have you received any emails lately?
There’s also a section at the bottom of the Outlook window that will tell you if your mailbox is up to date. You can use this to quickly determine if Outlook has an internet connection.
Try another browser. If other Internet or network applications are working correctly, the problem may be limited to just the web browser on your own machine. Perhaps try another one?
Ok, for various reasons we’d normally recommend you avoid using Microsoft Edge! But in this instance, if you open the start menu, and type in Edge, it’ll give you the option to open Microsoft’s built-in browser.
If the above tips haven’t solved your problem, don’t panic.
Our team can use the information you’ve learned by trying these quick fixes to diagnose more complex problems, and at least you’ve saved some time and helped narrow down the possible problem.
Give us a call on 01992 466877 – whether you’re a customer or not – and our experts will gladly help diagnose the issue and get you back online.
