Solving Network Problems - A Practical Guide
Experiencing network problems at the office? From WiFi not working to slow connections - discover how to solve the most common problems yourself.
“The internet isn’t working.” One of the most heard complaints at the office. Solving network problems can be frustrating, but with a systematic approach, you can often get far.
Step 1: Isolate the problem
Before you start troubleshooting, you need to know where the problem is.
| Who has the problem? | Probable cause |
|---|---|
| One person | Local problem (computer, cable, WiFi) |
| Everyone | Central problem (router, switch, internet) |
| Specific group | Network segment or switch problem |
| What doesn't work? | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Internet | External connection, router, ISP |
| Internal systems | Server, switch, internal network |
| Specific application | Application itself or server it runs on |
| When did it start? | Approach |
|---|---|
| After a change | Reverse the change |
| Suddenly | Hardware failure, external outage |
| Gradually | Overload, wear and tear |
The most common problems and solutions
Problem 1: “No internet”
The classic problem. Everyone can’t access the internet.
Check the ISP
Call your provider or check their outage page
Restart the router/modem
Off, wait 30 seconds, back on - solves 50%
Check cables
A loose cable on the router can bring everything down
Check the firewall
Sometimes an update accidentally blocks traffic
Problem 2: “WiFi is slow”
Everyone can connect, but it’s frustratingly slow.
Read more in our article about improving business WiFi.
Problem 3: “Can’t connect to WiFi”
You can see the network, but connecting doesn’t work.
Forget network and reconnect
Old configuration can conflict
Check MAC filtering
Is the device allowed?
DHCP problem
Are there still IP addresses available?
Driver update
Outdated WiFi driver can cause problems
Problem 4: “Printer not reachable via network”
A classic. The printer was just working, now it isn’t.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| IP address changed (DHCP) | Configure a static IP |
| Firewall blocking | Check Windows Firewall after updates |
| Driver corrupt | Remove printer and reinstall |
| Subnet problem | Is the printer in a different subnet? |
Problem 5: “Connection keeps dropping”
Problem 6: “VPN doesn’t work”
Home workers who can’t connect to the office.
| Cause | Solution |
|---|---|
| ISP blocks VPN ports | Test with mobile hotspot |
| Firewall blocking | Check both home and office firewall |
| Certificate expired | Renew VPN certificates periodically |
| Server problem | Check VPN server capacity |
Problem 7: “Everything is slow, even with cable”
The network is consistently slow, regardless of WiFi or cable.
Diagnostic tools
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| ping google.com | Test if a device is reachable |
| tracert google.com (Windows) | See the route to a destination |
| speedtest.net / fast.com | Test your internet speed |
| ipconfig /all (Windows) | View your network configuration |
| nslookup google.com | Test DNS resolution |
| netstat -an | View active connections |
When professional help is needed
A good local network management partner can not only solve problems, but also implement monitoring that prevents problems.
Prevention: better than cure
Documentation
Network diagram, IP address list, passwords securely stored
Monitoring
Alerts on outages, bandwidth monitoring, periodic health checks
Maintenance
Firmware updates, cable management, periodic review
Redundancy
Backup internet line, spare switch, UPS for network equipment
90%
fewer outages
with proactive monitoring
50%
faster recovery
with good documentation
99.9%
uptime
with redundancy
Conclusion
Solving network problems starts with systematic thinking. First isolate where the problem is, then work on the solution. Many common problems have standard solutions - it’s all about the right diagnosis.
Barion Team
IT specialists making complex technology understandable for SME entrepreneurs.
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