The Most Common Network Issues and How You Can Solve Them

There can be several network issues your company could be facing. Slow network speeds, weak Wi-Fi signals, and damaged cabling are a few examples.

Before solving a network problem, you must know the various network issues you could be meeting down the road. Here are nine common network issues and their solutions so you may address them promptly and appropriately.

Solution Network

Issue

A slow network is a common problem for people who are on the go and need to access their files or do some work. It can be frustrating to wait minutes for a page to load or an email attachment to open.

Solution

If you are having issues with your network speed, you should first try rebooting your router and computer. It will not always solve the problem, but it could be as simple as a minor glitch in your system that needs to be fixed.

If this does not work, consider upgrading your wireless card or changing the frequency it is set on.

You should also ensure that no other devices interfere with the signal in your areas, such as microwaves or cordless phones.

Weak Wi-Fi Signal

Issue

Wi-Fi signals are only sometimes good enough for the devices to connect to the internet. It is because of the distance between them, obstacles in the way, and interference from other devices.

Solution

The first solution to fix a weak Wi-Fi signal is changing the router location. It is common for your router to be too far from where you need it most. You can solve the issue by moving your router closer to that area or by adding an extender or a repeater to amplify your Wi-Fi signal strength.

The second solution is to change the wireless channel on your router so that it doesn’t interfere with other devices in the area, such as cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors. You can resolve the issue by going into the settings and selecting a different channel in the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band.

The third solution is to change the wireless mode on your device if you are using a dual-band device like Apple TV 4K or Amazon Fire TV.

These solutions are not only for home use but also for office settings.

Physical Connectivity

Issue

The need for physical connectivity solutions has grown, with many preferring to work remotely. As a result, companies are investing in technologies that provide physical connectivity to remote workers.

Solution

Physical connectivity issues have been around for a long time, and many solutions are available for tackling these issues. However, each solution is best suited for different types of businesses and workplaces.

The most common type of physical connectivity solution is the Wi-Fi connection. Many companies use this as their primary way to provide physical connectivity to their employees because it is cheap and easy to set up. However, Wi-Fi connections can sometimes be unreliable, and they are only sometimes fast enough to support video conferencing or other high-quality video streaming services.

Another popular option is the cellular network connection which provides mobile broadband coverage over a wide range of areas, including rural areas where Wi-Fi coverage may be limited or non-existent.

Excessive CPU Usage

Issue

Excessive CPU usage is a significant issue for any company. It can cause many problems like slowdown in the system and even crashes.

Solution

The first step is to check which task is the root of the problem. You can use Task Manager or Resource Monitor to determine which process has high CPU usage. If too many tasks are running at a time, some are likely unnecessary. Stop or disable the ones not required at the moment or at all.

Sometimes, one process takes up all your CPU power, but you need to know why. In this case, you should restart your computer and see if it fixes the issue.

Slow DNS Lookups

Issue

Slow DNS lookups are a common issue faced by many webmasters. They are caused by the caching of DNS records and can be fixed with a few tweaks to the server or DNS records.

Solution

There are three ways to fix slow DNS lookups:

Clear the cache on your computer and router
Change your router’s settings
Change your DNS records.

Duplicate and Static IP Addresses

Issue

Duplicate IP addresses are a significant issue for ISPs and enterprise networks. They can cause network congestion and affect the performance of your network. Static IP addresses can solve this problem by assigning an address to a device.

Solution

If you have duplicate or static IP address issues, here are some solutions that you can use:

Assign static IP addresses to devices with high-traffic volumes
Configure the DHCP server so that it doesn’t assign duplicate IPs when it assigns new ones from its pool
Manually configure the DHCP server to assign a different range of addresses each time it gives new ones from its pool.

Exhausted IP Addresses

Issue

If you have ever tried to access a website and got an error message that the site is unavailable, there’s a good chance it has been taken down because it ran out of IP addresses.

Solution

To avoid this issue, companies should use tools for IP address management to better manage their IP addresses and allocate them in advance. This way, they can avoid running out of IP addresses and having to take their site down.

Can’t Connect to Printer

Issue

The most common type of printer problem that people face is the inability to connect to the printer. Several reasons, such as a faulty cable or an outdated driver, can cause it.

Solution

The first step in resolving this issue is to check that the printer is turned on and connected to a power source.

If this doesn’t work, you might need to reset the printer. You can do this by unplugging it from the power source and plugging it back in again.

You can also check if you have the proper drivers installed and if they are up to date. You should check your router to ensure it’s on and has an internet connection.

VLAN and VPN Problems

Issue

A few common VLAN and VPN problems can occur when using these technologies. For example, you may experience broadcast, multicast, and security difficulties.

Solution

There are a few potential solutions if you’re having VLAN or VPN problems.

First, try restarting your router or modem. It can often fix minor connectivity issues.

You may need to adjust your firewall settings if that doesn’t work. It is usually done through your router’s web interface.

You may need to contact your ISP or network administrator for help if you’re still having trouble.

Lastly, you may need to replace your router or modem if all else fails. It is usually a last resort, but it can sometimes be the only way to fix significant connectivity issues.