Avoid frustration with these five
easy internet device tech tips
You’re trying to find a new recipe online or checking in with your friends on Facebook and suddenly, you find yourself staring at the dreaded spinning circle on your computer. Thankfully, you can save yourself time and a lot of stress by knowing how to fix the problem with these easy steps.
Start with the website. If you are browsing a website that stops loading or refuses to open, the problem might not be your internet connection at all. It could be the site itself. Try visiting another website like Google or your favorite news outlet. If that loads just fine, the issue is likely with the original site. You can also check downdetector.com to see if other people are having similar issues.
Restart your laptop or device. This tip is the first step taken in most troubleshooting calls. This simple step, called power cycling, can reset temporary glitches and restore a connection. It is important to make sure your device is off and left alone for a minimum of 30 seconds. Otherwise, your device may not be shut down completely, which could cause the issue to persist.
Sometimes, your device might be the culprit of a poor connection to your router. If you have not updated your device in a while, restarting it can trigger auto updates (which should always be enabled) and resolve the issue.
Check for loose cords. Ensure all cables between your devices and internet router are securely connected. Your internet router should display both steady and blinking lights while running. If no lights appear, it may not be functioning properly.
For some devices that need to be plugged in to the network or for power, the cords may need to be fully secured to operate at maximum efficiency. Make sure all power cables and adapters are plugged in all the way.
Test your speed. If you still face slow-loading pages or endless buffering and if the issue occurs on more than one device in your home, something else may be affecting your connection speed. If you have a Golden West Calix router, use the MyGoldenWest Wi-Fi app to run a speed test right from your phone or tablet for the most accurate results or visit speedtest.goldenwest.net.
Just like sound, your wireless internet connection can be affected by obstructions, such as walls and metal objects. If your connection is slow, try moving closer to your internet router to see if your laptop or device or a physical obstruction is causing the connection issues.
Reboot your router. Sometimes your router just needs a quick refresh. Unplug it, wait about a minute, then plug it back in. Give it a few minutes to restart and reconnect, as it may need to update to new software.
Technology doesn’t always behave the way we expect, but a few quick steps can often get things working again. A little troubleshooting on your end can save you time and help you become the tech whiz of the family. Still running into issues? Golden West’s Help Desk is here 24/7. Call 1-855-888-7777, option 1, to speak with a technician.
