There is nothing that can slow down an entire workplace faster than issues with the router and wi-fi. When networks go down and outages occur, work comes to a grinding halt. From one side of the office to the other you will hear, “uh oh, what happened?” According to TechTarget, “most companies experience on average at least two network outages every month.” On the backs of these network issues come connectivity issues such as slow connection speeds, a wireless connection that keeps failing, and a down DNS. Let’s take a closer look at what these issues involve and what you can do to prevent them from happening in the first place.
Sluggish Network
If people at your workplace are complaining that the system is reacting slowly there are potentially several reasons that could be causing this. Some of the top reasons could include an increase in traffic on your network, the addition of video conferencing software or streaming software, the sheer number of programs running, spyware or malware issues, wireless signal interference based on placement in your office, or insufficient bandwidth. If bottlenecks are only happening during peak work hours, then there may be ways to reduce usage during that part of the day. However, if the network usage has outgrown the available bandwidth, then it’s probably time for an upgrade.
Physical Connectivity Issues
When internet connections are suddenly lost completely, rather than becoming sluggish over time, one of the first things to look for is a loose cable connection or one that has been disconnected entirely. These things do happen as cord management is not always top on the list of chores in the workplace.
Weak Wi-Fi Signal
Depending upon the size and configuration of your workplace, the wi-fi signal may be weak in some corners and nooks especially if there is signal interference due to other technology. Devices such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and Bluetooth can interfere with wi-fi.
Unreliable Internet Access
Businesses should be aware that slow internet connection could be caused by the organization's Internet Service Provider. Physical infrastructure or an upstream transmission line may be out of order causing your network issue. Be sure to check with them as you troubleshoot your network issue. Online outage maps can usually be a great help in ruling this out as a cause of your network issue. Network issues are not unusual but they can be devastating to productivity if they last hours, days, or even weeks at a time. Getting to the root of the problem should be paramount for your managed service provider or IT department. Be sure to keep these issues in mind as you investigate your network problems. Sluggish connections, disconnected cables, wi-fi interference, and ISP issues are some of the more common problems that may be able to help users solve their network predicament in a timely manner. Talk to our team at Spectra Networks about how our managed support team can help you unravel these common but annoying IT issues.
