Bid Farewell to Interruptions: Tips to Minimize Internet Outages

I’ve always been a carefree soul, living my life to the fullest.

When life threw curve balls, I accepted them as part of my journey and kept reminding myself that I would bounce back stronger.

Until one gloomy day, a random internet outage ruined an important work deadline and, with it, the chance of a potential promotion. At first, I was in complete denial. Then came the flood of emotions: anger, depression, and a sense of helplessness. In the heat of it all, this is how I dealt with the gruesome situation:

I cried in front of the mirror

Yelled at my internet service provider (ISP)

Questioned the universe, ‘why me?’

Anxiously paced back and forth

That sudden internet disconnect not only ruined my chances of progressing in my career but also negatively impacted my mental health. The stress and frustration were driving me nuts and I realized this simply wasn’t acceptable. That, my friends, was the turning point.

I gathered myself up, reached out to my work friends, conducted thorough research, and finally found some practical ways to reduce internet disruptions.

I know you all must’ve also experienced a similar situation, which is why in this blog, I will be discussing the major causes of an internet outage and sharing valuable tips that will help you safeguard your internet connection.

Common Causes of Internet Outages

The following factors are to be blamed, if your internet connection is acting up:

Equipment Failure

The primary cause of an internet outage is poor device maintenance. Outdated internet equipment or too many devices connected at the same time can lead to an overload, which will eventually result in equipment failure.

Harsh Weather Conditions

Thunderstorms can knock out power lines, leading to widespread disruptions in the internet service. Moreover, adverse weather conditions can impact connection quality, even if they don’t damage the equipment. Heavy rain and strong winds, for instance can interfere with the signal transmission, resulting in unstable connections.

Network Congestion

A network congestion occurs when excessive number of users try to access the internet simultaneously. This results in slower internet speeds that hinder online activities.

Cyberattacks

Hackers or other cybercriminals can break into your wifi network and easily disable internet access on all of your connected devices, depriving you of a solid and reliable internet connection.

Internet Outage Survival Tips

Do you want to learn the art of preventing an internet apocalypse? Learn the following tips by heart to stay seamlessly connected at all times:

Tip #1: Restart your Modem

First things first, try rebooting your modem. You can do that by following the steps given below:

1. Unplug your modem.

2. Wait for at least 30 seconds.

3. Plug it back in.

4. The lights on your modem will turn green.

This shows that your modem is successfully connected to the internet again.

Tip #2: Adjust the Location of Your Router

Router placement is very important, if you’re using the internet over wifi. To ensure better connection, simply change the position of your router. Place it on:

A shelf in your central living room.

An elevated nested table, placed in your central hallway.

The second floor of your house.

You should avoid putting your router in the following places:

In the kitchen

In a corner of your house

Near electronics

Tip #3: Verify the Age of your Equipment

Always ensure that you’re using an updated modem, router, or gateway.

If your internet equipment is over a few years old, save up some money and consider upgrading it.

Even if you rent the equipment from your internet service provider and it becomes obsolete, you can simply request a replacement to enjoy optimal network performance.

Here are some ways to check the age of your equipment:

• Check the model number of your modem and router.
• See if your router needs a firmware update.
• Check if your router is overheating frequently.

Tip #4: Contact your Internet Service Provider

When all else fails, simply pick up your phone and contact your ISP’s customer support department.

The customer service reps will connect you with an expert who will help you identify the possible connection issues by running a diagnostic test on your internet equipment.

If this doesn’t resolve your issue, schedule an appointment with a technician who will personally visit your place to check your equipment and resolve any underlying problems.

If you’re still not satisfied and experiencing frequent internet outages, then try switching to a more reliable and stable ISP that can keep you connected, no matter what.

Tip #5: Secure your Network

A network that isn’t secure is susceptible to hacking and other cyber security threats, which can disrupt your internet connection and lead to frequent outages.

To protect your network:

• Regularly change your password
• Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
• Use a firewall
• Switch on wifi encryption

Internet Connection Still Down?

If you’ve tried all the hacks given above and are still experiencing frequent internet blackouts, then that means you need to think of upgrading to a better internet connection type. Fiber internet is a great choice in this case.

It is widely regarded as the fastest and most reliable connection type, which works well during peak usage hours. With incredible bandwidth and strong wifi coverage, fiber internet ensures a seamless online experience without any interruptions.

Frequently Asked Questions