What causes Internet connectivity problems most often? My connection comes and goes a lot..?

Answer 1

For Serenity primarily.

There are two pieces to your puzzle.

The connection from your laptop to the wireless router and the connection between the wireless router and the Internet.

You should have an icon in your system tray that displays the strength of your wireless signal. It's similar to the signal with a cellular phone, the stronger the signal is the better. Wifi works best with few obstacles between user and router, it will go through sheet rock walls and glass, but has difficulty with brick or metal framed buildings. Point being if your wifi signal strength is good, it's probably not a problem with the wifi router. However, you could/should try changing the channel that your router broadcasts on, try channel 11.

Wifi uses the same frequency spectrum to broadcast that wireless home phones use. You might take notice if your connection drops whenever someone uses the telephone.

For the Internet side, if your using DSL you may have a problem with the DSL signal. DSL is notorious for having the signal drop for no reason. DSL is not an exact science technology, more like some smart guys figured out how to squeeze more bandwidth out of old copper wires. DSL is subject to a whole series of issues involving the copper wiring between you and the telephone company central office.

One way to find out where the problem lies. When the connection drops can you ping the IP address of your wireless router? But not ping your service provider? If so, the problem is with the DSL. The best answer to that is - get FIOS or cable.

Answer 2

I need to respond not because I have an answer for this question, as I too have the same issue with my wireless router, but because one responded that you may be too far from the router.

I thought this was the issue too, being a bit too far from the router. However, when I placed the router directly behind my computer, with the adapter directly in line physically with the router, I still have the same connectivity issue. I periodicly lose my conectivity and need to click on my connection icon in the notification area and click, "Repair", which then goes through the repair procedure and then I have my connection back until the next time this occurs.

I too am looking for an answer to this issue. I am in the process of talking with the technical department of my router, which is Belkin.

I have done many checks on my connection setup and configuration and it all checks out. There shouldn't be an issue with lost connectivity. However, there is. A bit of a conundrum if you ask me. I think it may have somthing to do with the last firmware update I had for my router. I didn't experiance this issue until after that firmware update.

I will watch this question to see if a viable answer is provided. Thanks for asking it. Have a nice day.

Answer 3

Are you using a wireless router? If so it could be that you are too far away from the router or your wireless card/adapter are not working right. If you are connected through cable, check all the cables and make sure they are all connected tight. If thats not it, call your internet provider and cuss them out for lousy service. lol.

Answer 4

If its a DSL, its still a phone line and anything can slow that down, wind, birds whatever.

If you're using a wireless and the signal comes and goes, get a booster, you may be to far away.

Answer 5

You modem becomes out of sync sometimes, all you need to do is turn the modem off for 10 minutes and turn it back on. It will automatically reset itself to sync with your ISP's server.