You can reset your network settings if you are having problems getting connected to the Internet or to other computer’s on your LAN. A home or small office network consists of several important settings: the router, workgroup, the computer’s network adapter and the modem. If any of these are configured incorrectly you can no loger access Internet or local PCs. If your Internet worked but now it does not, you can try the following steps to regain connectivity.
Power Cycle Your Router
Power cycling your network is a technique used to attempt tho re-establish communication between the modem, the router and the PC. Usually, your ISP will provide your modem and router with an external IP address. The router then provides computer’s behind it with an internal IP address. Power-cycling the network will often renew IP addresses and get things working again. To do this, shut down your computer, unplug the router and then unplug the modem. Plug them back in, starting with the modem, then router. Give each a few minutes for all lights to go green, then power up the computer.
Make Sure the Network Adapter is Enabled
It is also possible to accidentally turn off your network adapter. This is especially true on laptops that have buttons or switches that allow you to disable your Wifi. To determine if your adapter is disabled, right-click My Computer, select Properties, then click the hardware tab. Under Device Manager look for your network adapter and confirm there is no red X over it. You can enable it again from the same place.
Check Your IP Address
To make sure you have an IP address local to your network, go to Start<Run and type cmd and hit OK. Type ipconfig /all and confirm you have an IP address similar to 192.168.1.2. If you have a 169.x.x.x IP address, then your computer is not getting an IP from the router, as it should. You can try right-clicking your network connection icon down by the clock and selecting “Repair” to see it that resolves the problem. If you have a wired connection, you can try a new cable.
You can also check to confirm your adapter is setup to automatically get an IP address from the router. To do so, go to the Control Panel, open Network Connections and then right-click your connection and select Properties. Highlight TCP/IP and choose properties again. Unless you have previously specified otherwise, make sure this is set to Automatic. If not set it to Obtain IP Address Automatically and reboot the computer.
Check the Router Settings
Normally, the router should have an IP address just like your computer. It will have the aforementioned external IP address provided by your ISP and it will have what is know as a gateway address for your interior network. This is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 depending on the manufacturer. Within the network setting administration, you will find an option for it to act as a DHCP server. Make sure this is enabled. You will also find a SSID setting. This should be named whatever your workgroup is to kep things simple.
In conclusion, there are multiple factors that can prevent Internet connectivity, so you must do a process of elimination. Ask yourself, is it strictly wireless? Are all computers having problems or just one? If I plug directly into the modem can I connect? By performing these troubleshooting steps, you should quickly be able to determine which component is causing the problem.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi there. My problem is my D-Link router Model:WBR-1310. I reset it and now I need a new IP address? My internet explorer will not work. The connection is fine. And I don’t remember if the Router even come with a disk so I can re install. Plz help.
Desiree
If you reset the router, you’ll should probably unplug it, then unplug the cable model and then plug everything back in reverse order–cable modem, wait a couple minutes, then plug in the router.
If this doesn’t fix it, you will probably need to login to the router and make sure it is setup as a DHCP server (which means it gives IP addresses to computers). If you need more help, join our free forums.
Hi, I’m really stuck, i’ve done all you have suggested above and nothing, my laptop is showing IPV4 & IPV6 not connected but do not know how to connect it, does anyone have any ideas. Also when i try to do ip /config bla bla nothing, except it does say echo request failed. Access denied, would this be the problem if so, can anyone please, please help me to fix it, i’m not great with computers and this stupid laptop will soon be taking a flight out of my damn window……..
You might want to join our forums for extended help–it’s free.
Does the network adapter in the back of the PC where the network plug is connected have flashing lights? Make sure the device is not disabled in the Control Panel Device Manager.