“Your computer is not connected to the Internet” is not the message you want to see when you open your web browser. You especially don’t want to see that if, as far as you know, your computer IS connected to the Internet. Sure, it’s frustrating, but before you call your Internet service provider to share some choice words, why not see if the problem is on your end? The following list offers several ways to troubleshoot your Internet connection.
- Dial-up users:
- Check your cable connections. With so many cables going every which way, there’s a chance one of them has come unplugged or has been compromised. Make sure the modem is plugged into the telephone line and is fastened securely.
- Plug a telephone into the line. If the cables appear to be connected correctly, try attaching a regular telephone to the phone jack the modem uses. The problem could be the jack itself, which isn’t something most people are prepared to fix.
- Broadband users:
- Check the lights on your modem. There should be several indicators on the modem itself as to the problem. If the light says the modem is connected to the ISP, the problem may be connecting the modem to your computer and not the modem to the provider. Usually if the connection light is blinking, it’s working. Solid lights or lights that aren’t on at all indicate a problem.
- Unplug the modem and wait. If the modem lights aren’t blinking, try disconnecting the modem from the computer. Restart your computer and re-attach the cables. Sometimes resetting the modem also helps.
If, after trying everything, your computer still won’t connect. It’s probably an issue on your ISP’s end. Now you can call them up and complain. There are ways for your provider to troubleshoot the problem from afar, but sometimes they will need to send a worker to your house.