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Wireless Broadband - 3
Here are a few common problems that will happen to your wireless connection at sometime or another. It doesn't matter which brand of router you buy, at some time in ther future it will stop working - it's the nature of the beast!
Dropped Signal?
The most common call we get concerning a router is the dropping of the broadband signal to either (a) the computer it is attached to by ethernet cable, or (b) the wireless connection to another computer. The answer is a relatively simple one in a lot of cases - switch the router off for 30 seconds, then switch it back on again! Yes, it is often as simple as that.
Check - are all the lights back on? (This can take up to 60 seconds for all of them to come back on.
If that doesn't work then there may be a more serious problem which requires investigation. 9 times out of 10 your Internet Service Provider, if you can get to speak to them, will advise you to do the same, so save yourself a couple of quid by doing it yourself before you call them.
Password Has Been Re-Set?
For some reason best known to them, and Internet Service Provider will change your connection password without telling you. If you are sure you have the right password, or some helpful person 'my mate who knows a bit about computers...' hasn't helped you by putting in a 'better' password, then call your ISP and get them to verify the password to be used. They will ask you a few security questions to make sure they are speaking to the right person before they talk top you in depth.
If they verify the password as being the same as the one you are using, then you can always ask them to re-set it, and you can try again. Try not to use the default passwords they give you (Tiscali is 123456, AOL is abc123, for example) and think of something memorable, yet not half a mile long that takes you a week to enter!
Overheating?
| All wireless modem/routers will generate a certain amount of heat when in general use. The best way to avoid overheating, which can cause the signal to drop, is to try and stand the router on its end, rather than flat. The Netgear router, for example, has the ability to stand upright as it comes with two 'legs' in the box which I would recommend you use.
Some routers don't have additional 'legs' so you may have to compromise, but try and get plenty of air circulating around the router to help keep it cool. |
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Bad Weather
Heavy rain and other extreme weather conditions can affect the speed of your broadband connection. In some cases this may also cause connection problems. You should bear this in mind before reporting a broadband fault to your ISP.
Faulty Filter
Even the best filters in the world will give up the ghost, so before you report a possible fault to your ISP, change the filters (if you have a spair), and see if this makes any difference. Remember, you will need to plug an ADSL filter onto every phone or device plugged into the phoneline that has been converted into a broadband line.
To plug the ADSL filter in, unplug your phone/fax from the telephone walljack, plug the ADSL filter into the walljack, and then plug the telephone/fax into the ADSL filter. This will now filter the ADSL noise out when you make a phonecall/fax call. Remember, if you use Sky interactive, this will have to be filtered as well!A quick check to see if a filter is faulty:
- Plug ONE standard telephone directly and securely into the main telephone jack point (WITHOUT using the ADSL filter).
- If you can now hear a dial tone and make phone calls, the fault is likely to be with a filter, or one of the other devices you had plugged in.
- To test if an ADSL filter is faulty, plug it in between the jack point and your telephone. If the problem reappears, you'll need to replace the filter.
Check the Hardware
This includes the cables (if you are using them), especially the yellow or blue cable (the ethernet cable) that runs from the modem/router to the computer. Are they in securely? Is there sign of damage at the connectors? Has something heavy been resting on a cable causing a short? It's worth a look before you call.
Check the Phone
Check for a dial tone on your phone. Telephone line faults are often overlooked when broadband is running on its own line with no telephone attached. If you don't hear a dial tone you need to report the problem as a telephone fault to BT by ringing 151.
Other Line Faults
Check for background noise on your telephone line, if you can hear crackling, pops or whistles, this may mean:
- A device on your line is causing interference (not properly filtered, or maybe incompatible with broadband service).
- Faulty microfilter
- A telephone line fault (again, report this directly to BT)
Interference to a broadband signal (especially the high-speed MaxDSL service) can be affected by different types of electrical or radio interference. Devices that can interfere with broadband connections include:
- Broadband equipment (e.g. wireless hardware or a spare modem left connected on an extension)
- Computer equipment (e.g. scanners, external drives etc)
- Electrical appliances (e.g. microwave ovens, halogen lamps and Christmas tree lights)
- RF equipment (e.g. remote control garage doors, AM radios and central heating thermostats)
If you notice a pattern to the times you are getting disconnected, keep an eye on what other electrical equipment might be in use at the same time.
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