It only takes seconds for a normal day at your company to turn into something catastrophic. This is especially true regarding your company’s information technology. Problems like these are why approximately 20% of small businesses fail within their first year.
Understanding how to resolve business computer network issues goes a long way toward getting the best results for your situation. However, not everyone knows where to start.
We’ve put together a brief guide that outlines the key information you need to know about business network troubleshooting. Let’s explore how you can recognize and resolve network issues as fast as possible.
Table of Contents
1. Check the Hardware
Checking your hardware is the first step you should take when troubleshooting. There is no shortage of issues that could stem from hardware problems.
In some cases, the hardware might have accidentally been disconnected from the network. This is fairly common in crowded offices that have many devices, as errant movements could unplug a cord.
Resetting the hardware tends to resolve many network-related issues, as well. While it might sound too good to be true, turning the device off and on again could be the solution you need.
However, you’ll need to leave the device off for at least 60 seconds before turning on. This allows it to complete a full power cycle.
2. Use ipconfig
For those unaware, this is a term you can enter into a computer’s command line interface (CLI) to check for network connectivity issues. In the list that appears once you enter this prompt, the “default gateway” mentioned is your router’s IP address.
The IP address of the device you’re using is listed next to “IP Address.” If either of these numbers start with “169,” connectivity problems will persist.
This means your computer isn’t getting a valid IP from your router. If the IP addresses start with any other number, they are valid and the problem lies elsewhere.
You can type “ipconfig/release” and then “ipconfig/renew” to discard their current IP address and get a new one. There’s a good chance this will solve your problem.
If not, you can try plugging your computer directly into the modem. If this resolves your issue, it means your router is the source of the conflict.
3. Use Ping and Tracert
Network problems often occur at some point between the router and the Internet. You can use a ping tool to identify Issues like these. Open your CLI and type “ping 8.8.8.8” to have your device reach out to a large, well-known server.
In this case, the command pings Google DNS servers. You can add “-t” to the end of this command to have it continuously ping the server while you troubleshoot. If the pings fail for whatever reason, you’ll receive an error message with details.
The “tracert” is also useful in this scenario. Similar to the above, you can type “tracert 8.8.8.8” to gain insight into each step that occurs between your router and the Google DNS servers.
This process allows you to pinpoint where the errors occur. If the problem manifests early in the pathway, your network may be the culprit.
4. Perform a DNS Check
On the command line interface, you can type “nslookup” to figure out if there’s an issue with the server you want to connect to. For instance, you could perform a DNS check on Facebook.com and learn that your request was either refused or timed out.
You might also get a message that there was no response from the server or that the network is unreachable. It’s worth noting you can use this command to check your own DNS server, as well.
5. Contact the ISP
If the above strategies don’t work, you can contact your Internet service provider to learn if they also have issues. There could be an outage they’re dealing with that affects your service. Many ISPs offer outage maps that allow you to see if other people in your area Are having the same issues.
If there is an outage, you’ll need to wait until your ISP resolves the problem. If possible, you should use a secondary network until things get back up and running.
6. Check on Virus and Malware Protection
There’s a chance that viruses or malware could cause your network issues. If you have network problems and your virus protection is disabled, this is likely the source.
Even low-complexity malware can cause significant disruption. Keep this in mind moving forward, as it’s one of the more serious problems you can deal with. Not only will you have to fix your network connectivity, but you’ll also potentially deal with data breaches.
There’s no shortage of hackers looking to procure sensitive information from businesses. Without the right safeguards in place, you risk dealing with a catastrophe.
7. Review Database Logs
Go through database logs to ensure that your databases are operating as they should. Many scenarios are impacted by malfunctioning or full databases.
In these scenarios, the problems with your database could impact your network’s performance. If you don’t have an in-house IT team, consider IT outsourcing to help you understand your database logs.
8. Work With a Professional
Working with professional IT solutions is one of the most notable ways you can get started with business network troubleshooting. They have the resources and tools to help ensure you get started on the right track. When looking for someone to hire, explore their past reputation.
See what other people have to say about the results they got from working with the company. Look for reviews that talk about timeliness, accessibility, and performance. Pricing is another attribute to consider.
It’s never recommended to go with the cheapest option you find. These will often fall short of your goals and make it more difficult to maintain your network.
You also don’t need to choose the most expensive provider. There’s a point of diminishing returns regarding what you get from what you pay.
Instead, a company in the middle of the price range can meet your needs without stretching your budget. What kind of customer support do they offer? You should have no trouble getting in touch with someone when issues arise.
Otherwise, you’ll have to overcome issues on your own. This can be frustrating, and it can even be impossible in some circumstances.
The services you’ll find at https://www.stonebridgemsp.com/tucson-managed-it-services/ are a great example of what you should keep an eye out for. With enough vigilance during your search, you shouldn’t encounter issues when looking for the best professional.
Troubleshooting Flowchart
The order in which you perform certain checks matters. It will directly impact the results you get. Listed below is the optimal way to network issues.
Collect Information
Before moving forward, you’ll need to collect as much information as possible. This allows you to have a clear understanding of what the problem is.
You should also speak to as many users as you can. The more insight you have into the network issue, the better.
Log the Data
Create custom logs with the information you obtain. These should document the problems that occur and the steps taken to resolve them.
It’s also crucial to write down the date and time the problems were occurring. If you can determine the source of the issue, document the MAC or IP address.
Check Access and Security
There should be no security issues across the different permissions given to users. Problems sometimes occur due to user error.
For example, an employee who shouldn’t have access to firewall settings could accidentally modify them. If you notice access concerns, you should remove privileges immediately. Using multifactor authentication and zero-trust policies goes a long way toward keeping data safe.
Use an Escalation Framework
An escalation framework signs of value to the issue based on its severity. The last thing you want is to burden your IT crisis teams with innocuous problems.
If low-level IT support can’t solve the issue, you can escalate it further. It’s much better to send the problem upward through the hierarchy than have it pass through five different people.
Implement Monitoring Tools
Active monitoring goes a long way toward preventing future threats. The sooner you identify issues, the faster you can take action.
The use of monitoring tools also allows you to gauge the efficacy of your strategies. There are many free and premium tools available, so research your potential options to find the ones best for your situation. The provider you hire likely has a comprehensive knowledge of some of the most popular.
This allows you to avoid the steep learning curve these tools often come with. You won’t have to worry about investing time and resources into training your team on how to use them.
Don’t Overlook Business Network Troubleshooting
Without the right business network troubleshooting methods, you run the risk of encountering major problems you can’t resolve. The good news is that the tips in this guide will help ensure you make the right decisions for your situation.
Looking for other info on how to run a successful business? Our blog has plenty of articles like this one you can learn from. Be sure to check them out today!
