I Cannot Connect to the Internet Through My Browser

Troubleshooting Internet Connectivity

If your Internet browser cannot display any Web pages using your home Internet connection, the causes can be many. Your browser could be experiencing a software issue, the site or sites you are visiting could be experiencing issues of their own or your ISP (Internet service provider) could even be experiencing an Internet outage in your area. Taking a few simple steps on your own can help diagnose the connectivity problem and restore your ability to browse websites.

Instructions

1. Connect using a different browser. If you have an alternate browser program on your computer, open it and try to route to a few different websites. If you are able to get to Web pages in your alternate browser but not in your primary browser, your primary browser is most likely experiencing a software issue and may need to be reinstalled. If you cannot go online with any of your browsers, some further troubleshooting is required to diagnose your issue.

2. Reset all devices. It is always surprising how many Internet connectivity issues can be resolved with a simple reset of your entire home network. Locate the power cord of your Internet modem, as well as the power cords of any home networking devices (routers, switches, hubs, etc.), and unplug them for a full 30 seconds. Plug them back in and restart your computer to allow for all the devices to complete their boot cycles. If your connectivity is not restored after the reset, it will be necessary to bypass your home networking device.

3. If you use a router or any other home networking equipment with your Internet connection, this device could potentially be blocking your connection. To bypass the device, locate the Ethernet cable on the back of your Internet modem and trace it to see what the other end of the cable is plugged into. If it plugs into a networking device, unplug it from the device and plug it straight into one of your computer's Ethernet ports so that you have one direct connection from the modem into your computer. Reset the modem in the manner described in steps 1 and 2 and test your connectivity.

4. Contact the technical support department of your ISP. If your Internet connectivity is still not restored at this point, this is probably the extent of the troubleshooting you can do on your own and the best idea is to contact a technical support representative at your ISP and have them take you through further troubleshooting.