Close Menu
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Facebook LinkedIn YouTube Instagram X (Twitter)
    • Home
    • Leadership Alliance
    • Exclusives
    • Internet Governance
      • Regulation
      • Governance Bodies
      • Emerging Tech
    • IT Infrastructure
      • Networking
      • Cloud
      • Data Centres
    • Company Stories
      • Profiles
      • Startups
      • Tech Titans
      • Partner Content
    • Others
      • Fintech
        • Blockchain
        • Payments
        • Regulation
      • Tech Trends
        • AI
        • AR/VR
        • IoT
      • Video / Podcast
    Blue Tech Wave Media
    Home » 6 steps to fix an unstable internet connection
    what to do when your internet connection is unstable-July-30
    what to do when your internet connection is unstable-July-30
    IT Infrastructure

    6 steps to fix an unstable internet connection

    By Vicky WuJuly 30, 2024No Comments5 Mins Read
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • To troubleshoot an unstable internet connection, start by testing another device or website, check Wi-Fi settings and run a speed test to verify your internet package, and scan for malware that might be affecting your connection.
    • Additionally, bypass your DNS server by flushing the cache or changing the DNS settings, and monitor your bandwidth usage to ensure no single application is hogging all the available bandwidth.

    An unstable internet connection can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you rely on it for work, study, or entertainment. Whether it’s intermittent drops, slow speeds, or unexpected disconnections, there are several steps you can take to diagnose and fix an unreliable internet connection.

    Try another device or website

    Start with the obvious: is the problem only happening on one device or all your devices? If your computer is having problems, see if your tablet or someone else’s laptop can connect to the internet. If the problem only occurs on one device, you can safely narrow the issue down to that particular machine.

    If a specific website won’t load, try another site. If you can visit other websites without issues, it’s likely that the problem lies with the website you’re attempting to visit, and you’ll have to wait for them to resolve the problem on their end. Try typing the website’s address into downforeveryoneorjustme.com or downdetector.com to see if there’s a known service outage.

    If there is no known outage, it could be an issue with your browser’s cache. Consider visiting the site in a private browsing window or from a different browser to see if that fixes the connection problem. Additionally, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies may resolve the issue.

    Also read: Internet routers, the central hub of networking devices

    Check the Wi-Fi settings

    Ensure the Wi-Fi settings on your device are correct and that you are connected to the proper SSID. If not, you may be accidentally connected to the wrong network by default. Windows users and those with macOS Monterey or older can change the connection priority to ensure you connect to the correct network. Alternatively, you can deselect the auto-connect option next to any unwanted network names.

    If you’re connected to the right network and still experience problems, Windows can assist you in diagnosing the issue. Right-click on the network icon in your system tray and select Troubleshoot Problems (Windows 10) or Diagnose Network Problem (Windows 11) to run the Windows Network Diagnostic routine. This can sometimes correct common issues by resetting the adapter.

    Also read: Unveiling the optical network terminal: Your gateway to fast internet

    Check your internet package

    If your internet is working, but it’s slower than expected, it may be time to double-check with your ISP on what speeds you should be receiving. Visit a site like Speedtest.net and run a speed test. You’ll receive a number in megabits per second indicating the actual speed your computer is experiencing. Then, visit your ISP’s website and check your bill.

    If the number on your bill matches your speed test, then you’re getting the correct speeds for which you pay. If that feels too slow, you’ll need to upgrade to a faster package. If your speed test is significantly slower than the speed you pay for, you are indeed having problems, and should continue with troubleshooting.

    Scan for malware

    Sometimes your internet connection can be affected by malicious code on your computer. Spyware, viruses, and malware can each have a significant impact on your web-browsing speed and overall system performance. If nothing else makes sense, conduct a malware scan to be sure.

    Bypass your DNS server

    When you type a website into your browser, your computer looks up the IP address of that website using a Domain Name System server. Occasionally, these servers can have problems, making it difficult to visit websites using their domain names. It’s akin to having a working telephone with no contact list—you technically have the ability to call people, but you don’t know anyone’s number.

    You can attempt to resolve the issue by flushing your DNS cache. Sometimes these things get stuck, and hitting reset can help. Alternatively, you can change the DNS server outright, either on an individual device or at the router level so it affects everything on the network.

    Check your bandwidth usage

    It’s possible that everything is working correctly, but a program on your computer is using up all your bandwidth. On Windows, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc and click on the Network column to sort by network usage. On a Mac, press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type “Activity Monitor,” and navigate to Activity Monitor’s Network tab.

    If a certain app is using a lot of bandwidth—like if you’re downloading a large file—you may just need to wait until that process is finished, or cancel it to improve your internet responsiveness. If you don’t see any obvious culprits, see if someone else in the house is downloading a large file on their machine and ask them to stop.

    internet connection IT infrastructure unstable network
    Vicky Wu

    Vicky is an intern reporter at Blue Tech Wave specialising in AI and Blockchain. She graduated from Dalian University of Foreign Languages. Send tips to v.wu@btw.media.

    Related Posts

    Datum’s MCR2 delivers Next-Gen data capacity in Manchester

    July 7, 2025

    Temasek Polytechnic: Shaping future innovators

    July 7, 2025

    Lelantos: Tackles home WiFi gaps with enterprise solutions

    July 7, 2025
    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    CATEGORIES
    Archives
    • July 2025
    • June 2025
    • May 2025
    • April 2025
    • March 2025
    • February 2025
    • January 2025
    • December 2024
    • November 2024
    • October 2024
    • September 2024
    • August 2024
    • July 2024
    • June 2024
    • May 2024
    • April 2024
    • March 2024
    • February 2024
    • January 2024
    • December 2023
    • November 2023
    • October 2023
    • September 2023
    • August 2023
    • July 2023

    Blue Tech Wave (BTW.Media) is a future-facing tech media brand delivering sharp insights, trendspotting, and bold storytelling across digital, social, and video. We translate complexity into clarity—so you’re always ahead of the curve.

    BTW
    • About BTW
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team
    TERMS
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.