Thanks to Wi-Fi, offices have managed to get rid of miles of cabling. Not all devices in the office will be wireless but many, from smartphones to printers and even barcode scanners, will be reliant on Wi-Fi. If it goes down, you’re stuck. You don’t have to call in a tech support company though. You can probably fix your Wi-Fi yourself, by using these seven tips.
1. Is it switched on?
If it’s just one device that’s unable to connect to the network then the problem could simply be that it’s switched off. There may be a physical switch or a function button controlling the network adapter. To fix your Wi-Fi you may only need to switch it back on again.
2. Reboot
It’s amazing how simply rebooting a device often solves the problem.To do this in the office environment you may have to restart your computers, server and router. To reboot the router, you’ll need to unplug it and wait 20 seconds or so before plugging it in again and switching on. ‘Power cycling’, as it’s known, might fix the issue without too much disruption to your operations.
3. Reposition the router
If you can – and sometimes it won’t be possible – move the router. Ideally, the router should be in a central location. The router doesn’t have to be located where your serves. Your network should have a number of live Ethernet ports. You can run your router off any one of them.
4. Change the channel
Most wireless routers are set to use the default channel (usually that’s channel 6). But it’s not just your office that’s using it. If you’re located somewhere busy, like a shopping centre, business park or shared building, everyone else around could be using the same channel as you. Too much traffic, or interference from devices nearby, can be the root of the problem.
You can use a web browser to change the channel. It will require you to login to the router’s control panel, usually by entering the IP address (for example, 192.168.0.1) and an admin user name and password. Your router’s documentation should have the instructions you need to switch channels. Try channel 1 or 11, to see if that fixes the issue.5. Check the driver
Reinstalling the network adapter driver might be the solution if it’s just one computer that has Wi-Fi connection problems. Go to the manufacturer’s website and download the appropriate network adapter driver. Instructions should be provided, and following them should be fairly straightforward. To complete the process, reboot the computer.
6. Reset your router
Resetting the router to its factory settings is a more drastic solution, but it can be the answer. This shouldn’t be your first step to fix Wi-Fi problems, because all your security settings will be lost. Recreating them and reconnecting your devices to the router can take a while. At the back of your router you’ll find a small hole, which has a tiny recessed reset button. Hold it down for about ten seconds and then allow the router to restart.
7. Check router firmware updates
Manufacturers often issue updates for hardware, known as firmware updates. Their purpose is to fix problems that may have cropped up since the product was made, or to provide additional features. As in tip 4 above, access the router’s control panel via a web browser and look for information on upgrades for firmware. You may need to check ‘advanced settings’, ‘administration’ or ‘technical support’. You should be able to see which firmware version is currently being used and whether there are updates available. If there’s a new version, downloading and installing it will improve performance.
With luck, these tips will have helped you fix your Wi-Fi. If not, you’ll need to find a tech expert. In the tri-state New Jersey area, Quikteks can get your Wi-Fi back on track and we’ll also give you a free network security assessment. Fill out the contact form or call us today at (973) 882-4644.