Practical examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems

Real‑world examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems at home

Let’s start with the place most of us notice issues first: home Wi‑Fi. These examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems are based on real situations tech support teams see every day.

Example 1: Wi‑Fi shows “connected” but no internet

You’re on your laptop, the Wi‑Fi icon says you’re connected, but websites spin forever.

In this example of a fix, the steps usually look like this:

You begin with the modem and router. On a typical cable setup, the modem is the box from your internet provider, and the router is the box that creates your Wi‑Fi network. Unplug both from power, wait a full 30–60 seconds (yes, the wait actually matters), then plug the modem back in first. When its lights stabilize, plug in the router.

Next, you test a wired connection. If you can, plug your laptop directly into the router or modem with an Ethernet cable. If wired works but Wi‑Fi does not, you’ve narrowed it down to a wireless issue — maybe a bad router, outdated firmware, or interference.

Finally, you check DNS settings. On Windows or macOS, you can set DNS to a reliable public service like Google (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1). Misconfigured DNS is a surprisingly common reason you’re “connected” but can’t reach any websites.

These are classic examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems that look like a provider outage but are actually fixable at home.

Example 2: Wi‑Fi is fine in one room, terrible in another

This one is almost always about distance, walls, and interference.

In a typical two‑story home, the router sits in a corner by the TV, and the office is upstairs on the opposite side of the house. Signal has to fight through walls, floors, and sometimes appliances like refrigerators or microwaves.

Here, examples include steps like moving the router to a more central, elevated location — ideally not on the floor and not tucked in a cabinet. Small change, big payoff.

If moving it isn’t possible, you look at Wi‑Fi extenders or mesh systems. Many providers now offer mesh equipment that creates multiple access points around your home. For 2024–2025, Wi‑Fi 6 and Wi‑Fi 6E mesh systems are common upgrades that handle more devices and reduce congestion.

You can also change the Wi‑Fi channel in the router settings if neighbors are crowding the same frequency. Free Wi‑Fi analyzer apps can show which channels are overloaded.

This is a good real‑world example of how physical layout and interference, not “bad internet,” cause connectivity problems.

Example 3: Only one device won’t connect, others are fine

If your phone refuses to connect but your laptop and smart TV are happy, the problem is probably on the device itself.

In this example of targeted troubleshooting, you:

Start by forgetting the network on that device, then reconnect and re‑enter the password. Typos, old passwords, and corrupted saved settings are common.

If that doesn’t work, toggle Airplane Mode on and off, or turn Wi‑Fi off and back on. This forces the wireless adapter to reset.

On phones, you can also reset network settings entirely. On Android and iOS, there’s a system option to reset Wi‑Fi, mobile data, and Bluetooth without wiping the whole device. It’s annoying because you’ll need to re‑enter Wi‑Fi passwords, but it often solves stubborn connectivity bugs.

Finally, check for OS updates. Vendors frequently push network driver and stability fixes in system updates. Keeping devices updated is one of the quiet best examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems before they even start.

Work and school examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems

Enterprise and campus networks add extra layers: VPNs, firewalls, proxy servers, and security policies. The examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems here look a bit different from home fixes.

Example 4: VPN connects, but internal apps won’t load

You log into the company VPN, but your internal CRM or file shares won’t open. Public sites like news pages work fine.

In this scenario, examples include steps such as:

First, confirming you’re on the correct VPN profile or gateway. Some organizations use different profiles for different regions or departments. Using the wrong one can connect you, but not to the right internal network.

Next, checking split tunneling. Some VPNs only send traffic for specific domains over the VPN. If your DNS is misconfigured, your device may be trying to reach internal resources via the public internet instead of the tunnel.

Then, verifying DNS and IP settings. On Windows, running ipconfig /all can show whether your DNS server is the corporate one or a leftover from a previous network. On macOS, you can check under Network > Advanced > DNS.

Finally, contact IT with specifics: exact time, app name, error messages, and whether others are affected. In business environments, the best examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems always include good reporting — that’s how admins spot patterns and fix misconfigurations.

Example 5: School Wi‑Fi connects, but some sites are blocked or broken

Universities and K–12 schools often use content filters and firewalls. You might connect to campus Wi‑Fi, but certain learning platforms or collaboration tools just won’t load.

Here, examples include steps like:

Trying a different browser. Some learning management systems (LMS) behave differently on Chrome vs. Safari vs. Edge.

Checking whether the site is on a blocked‑content list. Many school IT departments publish lists of approved and blocked sites on their support pages.

Connecting through the official campus VPN if one is provided. Some library databases and research tools are only reachable through the school network or VPN.

If you suspect over‑blocking, gather details (URL, time, what exactly fails) and send them to the IT help desk. Schools often adjust filters once they know a legitimate educational site is being blocked.

For digital literacy and safe network use in education, organizations like the U.S. Department of Education offer guidance on secure technology practices: https://tech.ed.gov

Technical examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems on computers

Sometimes you need to pop the hood a little: IP addresses, DNS, and network adapters. These examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems are still beginner‑friendly, just slightly more hands‑on.

Example 6: Windows PC says “No Internet” after an update

A Windows update finishes, you reboot, and suddenly there’s a yellow triangle on your network icon.

In this example, you:

Run the built‑in Network Troubleshooter. It’s not magic, but it can automatically reset adapters and detect obvious issues.

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run a few classic commands:

• ipconfig /release followed by ipconfig /renew to ask the router for a fresh IP address.
• ipconfig /flushdns to clear cached DNS entries that might be pointing to the wrong place.

If that fails, reset the network stack with netsh int ip reset and netsh winsock reset, then restart the PC. These commands can fix corrupted network components that updates sometimes disturb.

Microsoft documents many of these steps in its Windows support pages: https://support.microsoft.com

These are textbook examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems when the issue appeared immediately after a system change.

Example 7: IP address conflict on a small office network

In a small office with a basic router, two devices might accidentally get the same IP address. Symptoms: random disconnects, devices dropping off the network, or error messages like “IP address conflict detected.”

Here, examples include steps such as:

Checking each device’s IP address in its network settings and confirming they are set to obtain an IP automatically (DHCP), not manually.

Restarting the router so it refreshes its DHCP leases.

If you must use static IPs (for printers or servers), assign them outside the router’s DHCP range. For example, if your router hands out addresses from 192.168.1.100–192.168.1.200, put static devices at 192.168.1.10–192.168.1.20.

These are practical examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems that stem from configuration, not hardware failure.

Mobile and public network examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems

Phones, tablets, and public Wi‑Fi bring their own quirks — captive portals, data limits, and security restrictions.

Example 8: Phone connects to public Wi‑Fi but pages won’t load

You’re at an airport or coffee shop. The phone shows a Wi‑Fi connection, but nothing loads.

In this example of a public Wi‑Fi fix, you:

Open a fresh browser window and try visiting a non‑encrypted site like http://example.com (note the http, not https). Many public hotspots use a captive portal — a login or terms‑of‑service page — that only appears when you first browse.

If that doesn’t appear, toggle Wi‑Fi off and back on, or forget and rejoin the network. Sometimes the portal gets stuck.

If you see the portal but it won’t submit, try turning off any active VPN temporarily. Some captive portals don’t play nicely with VPNs.

Be cautious with public Wi‑Fi. For safer use, federal agencies like the Federal Trade Commission share tips on securing your devices on public networks: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov

Example 9: Mobile data not working, Wi‑Fi fine

You leave the house, and suddenly your apps complain about no connection, even though everything worked on Wi‑Fi.

Here, examples include steps like:

Checking if Mobile Data is actually enabled in system settings.

Toggling Airplane Mode on and off to reset the cellular radio.

Verifying you haven’t hit a data limit or throttling threshold with your carrier. Many carriers show this in their apps.

Resetting APN (Access Point Name) settings to the carrier default. Incorrect APN settings can break mobile data while calls and texts still work.

These are everyday examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems that live entirely in the cellular world, not your home network.

When to stop DIY and call your ISP or IT support

Not every issue is worth hours of tinkering. Knowing when to stop is part of smart troubleshooting.

Examples include situations where you should escalate:

• No lights or only error lights on your modem for more than 10–15 minutes after a reboot.
• Multiple neighbors on the same provider reporting outages.
• Repeated drops at the same time every day, suggesting provider congestion.
• Corporate VPN or internal app failures that persist after you’ve followed your organization’s documented steps.

At that point, your best examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems are simple: gather evidence (times, error messages, what you’ve tried) and hand it off. Support teams appreciate clear notes — and you avoid repeating the same basic tests over and over.

For general digital safety and network best practices, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) offers accessible resources: https://www.cisa.gov

FAQ: Short examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems

What are quick examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems at home?

Power‑cycle your modem and router, test with a wired connection, forget and reconnect to Wi‑Fi on problem devices, and check whether the issue happens on multiple devices. Those fast checks tell you whether the problem is with your provider, your router, or one specific device.

Can you give an example of a fix when Wi‑Fi is connected but there’s no internet?

Yes. A common example of a fix is: unplug modem and router for 30–60 seconds, plug the modem back in first, then the router, and set your device’s DNS to a public service like 8.8.8.8. If a wired connection works after that but Wi‑Fi does not, the router’s wireless settings or firmware may need an update.

What are good examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems on a work VPN?

Verify you’re using the correct VPN profile, disconnect and reconnect, check whether split tunneling or DNS settings are misdirecting traffic, and try connecting from a different network (home vs. mobile hotspot). If problems persist, send IT a detailed report with times, apps affected, and any error codes.

Are there examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems that improve security too?

Absolutely. Updating router firmware, changing default admin passwords, turning off unused remote‑management features, and keeping operating systems patched all reduce both outages and security risks. These are some of the best examples where a single action improves reliability and safety.

When should I stop trying examples of DIY steps and call a professional?

If you’ve restarted equipment, tested multiple devices, tried both wired and wireless, and checked your provider’s status page — and the problem has lasted more than an hour or two — it’s time to call your ISP or IT support. Persistent errors after you’ve tried several reasonable examples of steps to resolve connectivity problems usually indicate something outside your control.