Fix Common Computer Network Issues

Computer networks equip computers and other electronic devices to exchange data. It is what allows you to connect to the internet, send emails, print wirelessly, and share files. If they are experiencing problems connecting to a computer network, you can try to fix, bypass, or troubleshoot common issues yourself before consulting a tech expert.

Steps

Windows

  1. Check your network connection settings. If you recently updated your computer, your network connection settings may have changed. To check these settings, click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Manage Network Connections. Right-click on the connection and then select “Properties.” When prompted, enter your administrator password or confirmation.[1]
  2. Connect your computer to a Wi-Fi network. Wireless routers generate hotspots—areas near the router that are connected to a specific network. If you cannot connect to a wi-fi network, try the following:
    • Double check that your modem and router are on and properly connected.
    • Make sure that your computer’s wi-fi switch is in the on position.
    • Diagnose the issue. Click on the “wi-fi” icon (right side of toolbar). Select “Diagnose and Repair.” If there you are notified of an issue, like “unable to clear the DNS cache,” address the problem.
    • See if the network adapter is functioning properly. Log in as an administrator. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Device Manager. Click on “Network Adapters,” right-click on your adapter, and then click on “Properties.” Locate the “Device Status” section and see if your Network adapter is functioning correctly. You may need to update the network adapter driver.[2]
  3. Fix an intermittent internet connection. If your network connection disconnects from time to time, your network adapter may be set to “power-saving” mode. To turn off the mode:
    • Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Manage Network Connections.
    • Right-click on the connection and then select “Properties. You may need to enter an administrator password or submit a confirmation.
    • Locate the “Networking” tab and select “configure.
    • Open the “Power Management” tab. Uncheck the box next to “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”
    • Click “Ok."
  4. Remedy a slow internet connection. A variety of factors can slow down your internet connection. Correcting for these factors may increase the speed of your network connection. Prior to altering any settings, consider the following:
    • Are your network adapter’s drivers are updated?
    • Have installed the latest updates for your computer
    • Is your network adapter is compatible with your router’s capacities?
  5. Turn off autotuning. The autotuning feature automatically resizes TCP windows. Disabling autotuning will limit the size of the TCP window to 65535 and increase the speed of your internet connection.
    • Click “Start.”
    • Type “Command Prompt” into the search box. Hit enter to generate a list of results.
    • Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator.”
    • Type the following into the text box: netsh interface tcp set global autotuninglevel=disabled.
    • Hit "Enter."
    • Restart your Windows computer.[3]
  6. Alter your “Flow Control.” The flow control setting dictates the speed at which data is transmitted from one network to another. This software is designed to prevent a node that can transmit data quickly from overwhelming a node that receives data at a slower rate.
    • Click Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Device Manager.
    • RIght-click on the Network Adapter and then select “Properties.”
    • Open the “Advanced” tab and select “Flow Control.”
    • Locate the “Value” section and click on “RX and Tx Enabled.” Press “Ok.”
    • On some computers, “RX and Tx Enabled” may be listed as “Auto” or “Rx/Tx Pause.”[4]
  7. Enable Network Sharing. Before you conduct a deep analysis of the issue, make sure that the computer you are trying to connect to is on and that file and printer sharing is enabled on both computers.
    • To turn on "Network Discovery," click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Expand the “Network Discovery” tab > Turn on Network Discovery > Apply.
    • To turn on file sharing, expand the “File Sharing” tab > Turn on File Sharing > Apply.
    • To turn on public folder sharing, expand the “Public Folder Sharing” section. Select either “Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open files” or “Turn on sharing so anyone with network access can open, change, and create files.” Hit “Apply.”
    • To turn on printer sharing, expand the “Printer Sharing” tab > Turn on printer sharing > Apply.
  8. Override or turn off password protected sharing. To override password protected sharing, create identical user accounts for all of the computers in your workgroup. To turn off password protected sharing, click Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center. Locate “Sharing and Discovery” and expand the subsection “Password Protected Sharing.” Select “Turn off password protected sharing” and hit “Apply.”
  9. Change your Network Sharing Settings. Select Start > Computer > Properties. Locate “Computer name, domain, and workgroup settings” and select “Change Settings.” Find the “Computer Name” tab and choose “Change.” Locate “Member of” and select “Workgroup." If you need to join an existing workgroup, enter in the group name and hit “Ok.” If you need to create a new workgroup, enter in the name and click “Ok.”[5]
  10. Clear your DNS cache. If you are repeatedly receiving error messages when trying to access a website, you may need to erase your DNS cache. Open the start menu and type “Command Prompt” in the search bar. Hit enter to receive a list of results. Right-click on the “Command Prompt” result and select “Run as administrator. Enter password or confirmation if requested. Type “ipconflg/flushdns” in the command prompt.[6]

Mac

  1. Automatically join your wi-fi network. If you have to enter your wi-fi password every time you want to access the internet, your computer is not remembering your network. To correct this, click on the wifi icon in the top left corner of your screen. Click on “Open Network Preferences,” select “Advanced” and choose your network from the list. Check the box next to “Remember networks this computer has joined” and click “Ok.”[7]
  2. Overcome an intermittent internet connection. If your internet connection repeatedly and randomly cuts in and out, you can fix this issue by configuring your Mac to connect to a 5GHz network instead of a 2.4 GHz network. The 5GHz network has a shorter range, but has less interference.
    • Click on the Apple icon and select “System Preferences.” Click on “Network” and select “Advanced.”
    • Scroll through your list of Networks until you find your 5GHz or 5G network. Click on this network and drag it to the top of the list.
    • Click on the “Plus” icon below the list and enter your password.
    • You may also try turning on and off your wi-fi and/or router.[8]
  3. Correct for slow internet by altering your DNS. DNS, or Domain Name System, translates a web address into an IP address and stores the information on your computer. Your computer automatically uses the DNS associated with your router. For faster processing times, you can manually change your DNS to one of two free providers: Open DNS or Google DNS.
    • Click on the Apple icon and select “System Preferences” and click on “Network.” Click “Advanced.”
    • Select your network from the list and then open the “DNS” tab.
    • Click on the “+” icon under the “DNS Servers” column.
    • Enter in an IP addresses for a free DNS server.
      • OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 or 208.67.220.220.
      • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4.
    • Click “Ok” and then select “Apply.”[9]
  4. Resolve home sharing issues. Home sharing allows multiple devices, including computers, tablets, and Apple TVs, to connect to and utilize the files in your computer’s iTunes library. If you are having trouble with this function, try the following:
    • Turn on home sharing. After you launch iTunes, enter your Apple ID and password. Select File > Home Sharing. Turn on “Home Sharing.
    • Make sure all of the devices you want to connect with use the same Apple ID and password.[10]

Tips

  • Always make sure your router is on and connected properly.
  • Always make sure your wifi is turned on.
  • Some issues can be bypassed by setting up a static IP.

Warnings

  • Be cautious when editing the registry, as careless modification can adversely affect your computer, potentially to the point of rendering it unusable.
  • The solutions presented in this article will not work for all issues, when in doubt do not be afraid to ask.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/troubleshoot-network-connection-problems
  2. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/troubleshoot-network-connection-problems, http://ccm.net/faq/298-what-is-wifi-and-how-does-it-work
  3. ↑ http://www.speedguide.net/faq/how-to-disable-windows-vista-tcpip-auto-tuning-247
  4. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/troubleshoot-network-connection-problems, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_control_(data)
  5. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/join-create-workgroup#1TC=windows-7, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/troubleshoot-file-and-printer-sharing
  6. ↑ http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/domain-name-system-faq#1TC=windows-7
  7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201735
  8. ↑ https://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/04/05/common-mac-problems-fixes/
  9. ↑ http://www.macworld.com/article/2824564/slow-internet-edit-your-dns-settings.html
  10. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202190
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