Common Network Issues
Solutions and explanations for frequent problems
Why can't I connect to the internet?
Check your network cable connections, verify IP configuration, test DNS resolution, and confirm gateway connectivity. Use 'ipconfig' (Windows) or 'ifconfig' (Linux/Mac) to check your network settings.
Why is my network connection slow?
Network slowness can be caused by bandwidth limitations, network congestion, faulty hardware, or interference. Run speed tests, check for background applications consuming bandwidth, and verify cable integrity.
What does 'Destination Host Unreachable' mean?
This error indicates that your computer cannot find a route to the destination. Check your default gateway configuration, routing table, and ensure the destination network is reachable.
Why do I get 'DNS resolution failed' errors?
DNS issues can be resolved by checking DNS server configuration, flushing DNS cache, trying alternative DNS servers (like 8.8.8.8 or 1.1.1.1), and verifying network connectivity to DNS servers.
How do I fix IP address conflicts?
IP conflicts occur when two devices have the same IP address. Use DHCP instead of static IPs, check for rogue DHCP servers, or manually assign unique static IP addresses to each device.
Why can't I access certain websites?
Website access issues can be due to DNS problems, firewall blocking, proxy settings, or the website being down. Try accessing from different devices, check firewall rules, and verify proxy configuration.
What causes frequent network disconnections?
Frequent disconnections can be caused by faulty network adapters, driver issues, power management settings, or unstable connections. Update network drivers and check power management settings.
How do I troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity issues?
For Wi-Fi issues, check signal strength, verify password, restart wireless adapter, update drivers, check for interference, and ensure you're connecting to the correct network.
Quick Troubleshooting Tips
Before You Start
- • Document the problem
- • Note when it started
- • Identify recent changes
- • Gather error messages
Basic Tools
- • ping - test connectivity
- • traceroute - trace path
- • nslookup - DNS lookup
- • netstat - show connections