How do I troubleshoot my wireless network?

Troubleshooting is a logical process of tracing a fault in a computer network and setting it right quickly and efficiently to recover the network. A computer network fails or stops working when one or more computers go off the network suddenly.

In real terms if you talk, these days wireless networking is becoming quite complicated for end users. This is because the network does not have any physical picture to visualize or analyze its functioning. It is just the signs and signals that make us aware but what exactly happens behind is scene is just your perception. With this many problems come into existence paying way to common wifi errors.

Keeping in mind the complexity of network connection and the need of end users, here is a helpful guide for all to have a clear insight into the causes of network troubleshooting, tips to resolve the problems, and the most common errors that often come into scene while using the network on your computer or laptop.

Causes of Network Failure

Some of the common causes of a network failure are:

Network card, also known as network adaptor or network interface card (NIC) is not functioning properly. NIC is an expansion card installed or in-built in a computer that enables the computer to connect to a computer network.
Wrong software settings in a computer
In an attempt to secure the computer, sometimes firewalls prevent the computer from linking to other devices on the network
Faulty wireless connections
Damage to the network hardware such as switches, bridges, repeaters, routers, etc

Tips to Resolve Troubleshooting Network

Some of the tips on troubleshooting are given below.

Check the wired connections: The first step is to see that all the cables, especially the network cable, are properly inserted in the right sockets. Also ensure that the cables are not damaged and loose. You also need to check that the current is passing through the plug-in points. Sometimes, a problem lies with the electrical equipment and not with the network.
Check the Light Emitting Diode (LED) signals: Observe the LED signals of the network to check the functioning status of different devices connected to the network. For example, if the LED signal is green, it indicates that the network card is successfully receiving wireless signals. Alternatively, an orange signal indicates loss of the signal.
Check protocols: Ensure that the protocols installed on a computer are correct. Check that all the computers on a network have a different IP address but the same subnet mask.
Identify access points that are malfunctioning: For this, you first need to open a Command Prompt window on the networked computer and ping the wireless access point that you feel is malfunctioning. If the access point does not reply to the ping, then you know that the fault lies with access point.
Configuration issues: Many times the problem lies with the network configurations rather than the hardware installed. Therefore, to identify the configuration problems check the signal strength, verify that the SSID (Service Set Identifier), and ensure that the Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption key of the right size and format has been entered.

Common Network Errors

There are many common network errors that often come into picture when considering the functioning of a wireless network. Some of the most common network problems are:

Error 1: “A Network Cable Is Unplugged”

The best solution to resolve this error is:

First try and disable the Ethernet network if in case that is not in use
Check the ends of your Ethernet cable
Check whether the cable is securely connected to the network adapter
Check and verify if the cable is damaged
If damaged replace the cable
If damaged replaced the adapter

Error 2: “Conflict of IP Address”

To ensure there is no conflict of IP address, follow the steps below:

If in case you have a fixed IP address then configure each local host with the IP address
If in case you have dynamic IP address then make sure that release and renew the address
Check and verify the router and configure the DHCP server

Error 3: “The Network Path Cannot Be Found”

If unable to follow the network path, follow the measures:

Update the TCP/IP configuration
Try and reboot all device
You can try disabling local firewalls
Replace the path names with valid names
Work by modifying the security settings of the network

Error 4: “Duplicate Name Exists on the Network”

Know what to do when a duplicate name displays on the network connection:

First and foremost change your computer’s name
Use a name that is unique
Reboot all devices

Error 5: “Err Connection Reset”

Learn how to fix err connection reset problem:

Check and verify the internet connection
Analyze the working of the VPN connection
Check local firewall configuration
Reset TCP settings
Reset IP configuration
You can even try clearing the browsing history
Disable protection software

These are just a few errors. However, there are many more that are known to create troubleshooting problems and hamper the functioning. Hoping this troubleshooting guide was helpful for you to get through the common network errors while helping you fix the errors and go ahead with a flawless functioning of your system under a secured and continuous network.