Read time: 6 min
Here at BIT Insight Group, we know your business network is the backbone of a smooth-running business operation. Think of it as the highway for everything—emails, apps, and cloud-based services. When that highway gets blocked, your entire operation can come to a standstill, and the consequences can be grave. There is a communication blackout, and productivity grinds to a halt. It can leave your clients stranded and affect revenue big time. It’s a nightmare scenario, but sadly, it’s all too common when network issues rear their head.
When this lifeline is severed, the first thing you need to do is figure out what’s going on. Identifying the root cause can save you time, stress, and, most importantly, your bottom line. Let’s walk through some practical tips to troubleshoot common network problems—because, let’s face it, no one can afford extended downtime in today’s digital-first landscape.
Six easy tips that can help fix common network issues.
1. Pinpoint the Problem
Before diving into any fixes, take a step back to understand the exact nature of the issue. Having this information can help you figure out where to focus.
Determine the Scale
Find out how widespread the problem is. Is it affecting one person, a group, or the entire network? This helps you to focus on the cause and the possible resolutions.
Is the issue affecting one person, a group, or the entire network? Narrowing down the scope helps you identify the cause and possible resolutions. If only one device is acting up, it’s likely a localized problem. But if the whole network is out, buckle up—you’re dealing with a potential catastrophe.
Seek Clarifications
Investigate the problem in detail. Ask those affected specific questions. How long has has it been? What were they doing when it happened? Have they taken any measures to solve the issue? Focusing on these details can lead to a potential solution.
Look for Error Messages
Search for any error codes or warnings. These can provide clues about the possible cause of the problems. It is essential to write these down for future reference.
2. Check the Hardware Connections
This is one of those “obvious but often overlooked” steps. Many network issues include hardware problems—like loose cables or unplugged connections.
Cables and Ports
Remember to check your cables, ports, and power cords. Are these properly and securely connected? Do you notice any cuts or damages? Use another device to assess whether the cables are still functioning correctly.
Power Sources
Make sure all the networking devices are powered on. Verify power leads and adapters. Sometimes, power failures may be responsible for network problems. Reset power sources if necessary.
Network Devices
Routers, switches, and modems should be examined to ensure all lights indicate normal operation. Restarting these devices may resolve the issue. You’d be surprised how many headaches can be avoided with a simple reboot.
3. Step-by-Step Process For Testing Network Connectivity
Testing network connectivity can help locate the point or points at which the connection fails and if the issue is device-specific or network-wide. Using simple tools and tests can provide valuable insight.
Following The Steps To Use Ping And Traceroute
Ping and traceroute commands test network connectivity to locate where the failure occurs. For example, suppose the ping command succeeds in the local context but fails when directed remotely. In that case, the occurrence is likely to be external.
Test Different Devices
Connect the network by testing various devices to determine whether the problem is with a particular device or the entire network. If one device connects while another doesn’t, the likely cause of the problem is the device rather than the network.
Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength
When using wi-fi, analyze the signal strength. Weak signals can result in connectivity issues. Translate the router or the access points and check if the connectivity has improved. It might be helpful to have wi-fi analyzers to show the signal strength and interferences caused by other signals.
4. Analyze Network Configuration
One of the most common reasons for connectivity issues is improper network configuration. IP settings, DNS settings, and configurations of routers and switches need to be evaluated, which may require an IT services partner like BIT Insight Group.
Check IP Settings
Verify the IP settings to ensure the devices have the correct IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateways. Devices that cannot access the network can be due to incorrect settings.
Review DNS Settings
Look at your DNS settings. Well-structured and accurate DNS settings would avoid problems with nearly every website and service. Only use reliable DNS servers and make sure the settings are correctly configured.
Misconfigured DNS settings may be impacting your network. This is where having an IT partner can come in handy. Sometimes, these problems are more technical and need a deeper dive.
Inspect Router and Switch Configurations
Review the router and switch settings. Verify there are no erroneous or misconfigured parameters. Changes in these settings could cause the issue.
5. Keep a Check On the Network Resource Usage
Maintaining a record of the usage of the network resources assists in digging into more existing problems and potential threat points. Several tools can be handy for this purpose. They also help in looking out for potential network trouble.
Set up including Network Performance Monitoring Tools
Set up network performance monitoring tools for the evaluation of performance. These tools will provide some critical parameters, including network traffic, the bandwidth consumption rate, and potential problems. They assist in tracking the movement of patterns and, therefore, narrowing down their locations.
Evaluation of Network Congestion
Look into the network congestion scenario. The network stresses due to heavy traffic and usage expand the general congestion of the network. It is advisable to consider increasing the bandwidth and optimizing the flow of such traffic patterns to mitigate congestion.
Determine if there are any Sources of Network Noise
While considering wireless networks, determine the sources of noise and interference. Electric appliances, walls, and microwaves may interfere with wi-fi reception and effectiveness. To mitigate interference, use various frequencies or channels.
6. Compliance And Secured Updates of the Networks
Indeed, network updates and security measures are of great importance and assist in a smooth operation. Looking at updates and security checks periodically can contrive many basic scenarios.
Update Firmware and Software
Always ensure that all networking devices are running on the latest firmware and software version. This is because updates usually contain bug fixes or enhancements on some aspects of the device. It is also good practice to perform regular updates to avoid network vulnerabilities and enhance the network’s reliability.
Scan for Malware
Make sure to perform malware scans on all devices. Malware can lead to many problems in the network, including performance and accessibility issues. Consider using reliable antivirus software and keep it current.
Review Security Settings
Secure router and firewall configuration parameters also need to be verified. The required or permitted settings should be confirmed, and verification should prove that the changes made were permissible and authorized. Appropriate security settings are a suitable defense mechanism for control of unauthorized access.
Need Help Optimizing Your Business Network?
In any business environment, a stable network is one of the critical resources, and it should not be taken lightly. Consult with BIT Insight Group to prevent wasting time and money on downtimes caused by poor network maintenance. We can put monitoring and other best practices in place. This will ensure that whatever you do on the network will be fast and efficient.
Call us now for a quick discussion on enhancing your connectivity.
