Having connection problems? Start here.

Favorite website down? Animated gifs loading slowly? You're in the right place. This site is more than just an Internet connection tester - it's also a comprehensive walkthrough for troubleshooting your Internet connection. Test your connection as you make changes (click the banner!) without having to refresh the page. You can check the uptime and performance of a particular website using these tools:

Any visible HTTP status codes such as 301 or 404 generally indicate that a website is online, but temporarily inaccessible (try a different URL?). Should your browser fail to connect altogether, consider clearing your DNS cache, which is responsible for mapping domain names (e.g. "ismyinternetworking.com") to IP addresses.

DNS is usually provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), but you can try a different DNS provider by (temporarily) switching to OpenDNS. If that URL doesn't work (which is an IP address and should not require a DNS lookup), then it's unlikely a DNS issue.

What can I do to make my connection faster?

Your Internet connection's maximum bandwidth is ultimately dictated by your ISP, but if you're not reaching that limit, there are a number of strategies you can employ to make your connection faster. Wireless signals can be improved by simply physically relocating closer to the access point. Better hardware can also improve signal and connection strength: an 802.11 AC Wifi Router or range extender, when paired with an 802.11 AC Wifi Adapter, can offer significant improvements in range and bandwidth over older generations of Wifi. For immediate improvements,

If none of the above options work for you, or if you're using a wired connection, try the following:

You can test your Internet speed via Speedtest.net, Speakeasy's Speed Test, or SpeedOf.Me's Mobile Speed Test.

What if nothing loads at all?

Any one of the components that bridge your computer to the internet could be broken, so you'll may have to diagnose each one individually. If your hardware configuration hasn't changed recently, it could very well be a software issue. Listed below are some potential fixes for temporary software problems that can get you back on track.

If none of the previous fixes work, it's time to start investigating hardware problems. The actions below go over the hardware components that could be preventing you from connecting to the Internet.

How do I determine if my router is working?

Try to access your router's control panel via your browser (192.168.*.*) on a wired connection. In the table above, you can find control panel IP addresses for common router manufacturers under the "IP Address" column. Alternatively, you can find it in your router's manual. Type the IP address into the address bar of your browser, press enter, and the control panel page should appear. If the IP address of your router is not listed above or doesn't work, try the following:

When prompted for a username and password, try a combination of (blank), "root", and "admin". Default usernames and passwords for common router manufacturers can be found in the above reference table. The alternative username/password combination is used less often.

If the control panel says something similar to "Searching for Server" or "First-time Setup", then your ISP is having issues. Consider giving them a call to see if they are aware of connectivity problems on their end. A support number can be located on your latest internet bill. Otherwise, if the control panel page never loads (with no login prompt), and you're absolutely certain about the address, consider trying another router. This is rather time consuming, but can determine if your router is at fault or your ISP is at fault.

Online, or at your local electronics store, you can find fully capable routers ranging anywhere from cheap to expensive. If a brand new router fails to connect as well, the issue is likely due to your ISP and your router(s) are perfectly fine. If the new one connects, your old router is having problems, you can stick with your newly purchased one (or return it for a higher-end router).

Alternatively, as a last resort, you can try to fix your existing router one with a hard reset that restores it to factory settings. Warning: This operation is irrevocable and your old router settings will be permanently deleted, so we recommend one more series of reboots before attempting a reset. Begin by locating the reset button on your router, which may be underneath or in the back, and will likely require a paperclip to push in. You have two options (taken from the DD-WRT Wiki), have a stopwatch ready:

Performing a hard reset will require you to set up your router again. Refer to your router's manual for details.

I've tried everything above and I still don't have a stable connection!

No amount of restarting and updating can make up for a poor quality connection provided by your ISP. Temporary setbacks are usually resolved within a day or two, but if you continue to experience regular disconnects, consider switching to a different ISP. Consumer Reports offers a scored ranking of ISPs based on several critera. DSLReports offers consumer ISP reviews that can be narrowed down to your region.

© Copyright 2011-Is My Internet Working. Written and maintained by Brian Cui. Is My Internet Working is not to be held responsible for any incidental, consequential, or indirect damages from the information written on this website. We cannot guarantee that everything on here is perfectly safe. By following the guides on this site you assume total responsibility and risk of possible damages.

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v3.0.0 "Revolution" | Last updated 02/13/2018.
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