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There is little more frustrating than having a patchy, unreliable internet connection. This can be the bane of businesses or simply cause outrage in your home and shouldn't be tolerated unless there is absolutely no solution. Luckily, in the majority of cases, there are some simple steps to take when your internet provider is unreliable that should help you boost your speed, improve your reliability and help you use the internet stress-free.
1. For office IT, use professionals
Poor internet in the home is one matter. Still, your office network truly does need to be quick and reliable; otherwise, your productivity will be lower and your costs higher, if you continually have to call IT support. Using professionals like Online Computers will give you a reliable network and maintenance support your business needs and should especially be considered by companies who rely heavily on internet use.
2. Check your router
Firstly, check there is nothing wrong with your router. A loose cable could be an annoyingly obvious cause of your woes, so make sure everything is plugged in correctly and tightly. Ensure all of the correct lights are on, checking in the router's instruction manual if necessary. Your router should be in an unobscured, central position so that it can reach all the corners of your home or office equally. If it isn't, your problems could simply be stemming from the fact that your router is not powerful enough to reach the further away parts of the premises. In this case, you could consider using Wi-Fi extenders, which plug into sockets and boost the signal.
3. Contact your provider
If there is nothing wrong with your router and problems persist, you should contact your provider. They will be able to walk you through rebooting your router or checking it for any non-obvious issues. If unreliability continues, you should tell your provider that you are not getting the service that you are paying for. Many providers will try and rectify the error and allow you to leave your contract early if they fail, or they could lower the price you pay.
4. Compare other deals
Internet provider comparison websites have been around for several years and are reliable ways of seeing if you are getting the best value for your money. Many providers offer "new customers only" deals, so shopping around and changing every few years can be extremely cost-effective. It is extremely easy to compare deals in your area online, but it is also worth asking friends and family who live nearby who their internet is with and whether they would recommend them.
5. Tell your provider what you have found
If you can see a deal that is better than your current one, contact your provider and tell them; some companies will match the price to retain your custom. However, in some cases, you may want to get away from your current provider altogether. If this is the case, check if they would require you to pay an early cancellation fee to move to a new provider, and perhaps attempt to find some reviews of your potential new provider to ensure it is worth the hassle of swapping.
