Homeowners and businesses alike need a reliable network connection to perform essential tasks and communicate with others. Unfortunately, poor connectivity hinders communication.
It’s difficult to maximize coverage if you’re not sure what the issue is. These are the biggest technical problems that can degrade your network.
Loose or Worn Cables
Loose or worn ethernet cables are a common cause of network failure. Poor wiring can result in slow speeds and disconnects, no matter how well you’ve designed your infrastructure. If your cables are buried, bent, or terminated incorrectly, it will cause issues down the road.
It’s good to check over your network now and then to ensure the ethernet cables are working correctly. You can use an ethernet cable tester to ensure your network environment functions perfectly. It’s also good to have at least a Cat 6a cable to ensure it’s got enough throughput for users.
Excess Noise
Your network connection can also be affected by excess noise in the environment disrupting the signal. Cable noise occurs when the equipment picks up interference from outside sources. It results in impaired transmission of data, which can degrade the network.
Proper installation of outdoor equipment is essential for avoiding noise. Ground loops can occur if there are other cables buried nearby. Learning how to fix a ground loop will enable you to set up your network without issues. Additional shielding and patch panels may be needed to protect the network quality.
Malfunctioning Equipment or Devices
If you can’t find any other problems with your network, the issue may be due to broken or outdated equipment. In such cases, you may be able to simply update your client software. However, if that doesn’t work, you may need to replace it altogether.
Modems, routers, and extenders can also cause issues if they’re incompatible with the signal. Check with your ISP to ensure your equipment will work correctly. You should also ensure your devices are compatible with the wireless signal. While newer devices often support WPA and WPA2, older ones may support only WPA.
The internet is a convenient place to access essential information and services. If you have a poor network signal, it can make it challenging to get things done. Understanding the most prominent technical problems that can degrade your network will ensure you can connect when it matters most.
