How To Fix Wireless Connection

Ok I admit it.  I am a tech guy and by default that goes with being a Jedi.  Everything around you is adapting to the wireless technology and you can not be just an onlooker or else technology will leave you behind eating its dust.  Ever experienced trying to connect a device but have been pulling your hair looking like Einstein because you can't understand why you can't connect?
Here are a few things you can do to fix your wireless connection.

First you need to understand that wireless technology is susceptible to interference.  To know why there are interferences and what causes interferences I will first define "wireless".

Wireless telecommunications, is the transfer of information between two or more points that are physically not connected. Distances can be short, as a few meters as in television remote control; or long ranging from thousands to millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications. It encompasses various types of fixed, mobile, and portable two-way radios, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless networking. Other examples of wireless technology include GPS units, Garage door openers or garage doors, wireless computer mice, keyboards and Headset (telephone/computer), headphones, satellite television, broadcast television and cordless telephones.


One device we normally don't see but we have been enjoying the service it provide in the office, restaurants and mall is the wireless router.  At home without question, your router is one of the most useful and convenient tech devices you own. But many of you probably view it as one of the biggest sources of frustration, anxiety, and downright anger. The fact is, setting up a home router—and keeping it running—is still more complicated and demanding of tech knowledge than the average user would like it to be.
Part of the problem is that routers do so much more than average user can understand. A router performs two primary functions.

First, it routes data packets between networks.

Second, it serves as a wireless access point, sharing the inbound Internet connection with all devices on a home network.

A router is the central figure in a home network, connecting the vast Internet with our comparatively, tiny (yet increasingly sophisticated) private networks. That's a complex set of responsibilities for a small, inexpensive device to perform. Most routers manage to do all these job reasonably well for the vast majority of the time. But, because all of these functions are critical to a router's network, when your router begins to act up, you're likely to forget the fact that it functioned flawless for weeks, or even months, at a time.
And your router will act up, from time to time. Unfortunately, these bridges between the wilds of the Web and a home user's local area network, or LAN, are the perfect breeding grounds for a host of problems. Not being able to browse the Internet, intermittent connections drops, and dead spots in wireless coverage, are just a small sample from the endless litany of migraine-inducing Wi-Fi weirdness on those rare occasions when routers fail at their tasks.

You have the power to re-mediate many of these issues, even if you cringe at the thought of troubleshooting your wireless network.  Here are some down-and-dirty troubleshooting tricks you can try before you call technical support:

1. Make sure you check the physical connections.  That means making sure your router has power.  Check if it is properly plugged to the power outlet and that the switch is on.  Check for the light indicators of the router if it is showing connected to your DSL modem to get internet and also if its wireless feature is switched "on".  That goes the same with your DSL modem make sure it is properly wired. Make sure phone wire is not loose.  DSL light on your modem should always show steady light indicating that it is connected to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and not blinking.

2. Check if the wireless switch on your device is on.  Most device that is capable of connecting to another wireless device has an "on" "off" switch.  So make sure you check if it showing "on".  If you are having trouble connecting to your wireless router try switching it "off" and "on" again.


3. Check for wireless interferences.  Other wireless devices can interfere with your router's wireless connection.  Devices such as wireless phones and other that I've mentioned earlier.  Most wireless device has a channel switch that you can play around to change the frequency it is operating in.  Water can also be an interference so if you have an aquarium or fishbowl in between the router and your wireless device, try relocating it.  Motorized equipments, fluorescent lights, halogen lights can also cause interference because it emits EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference).

4. Distance and walls.  All wireless signal has a limitation on distance and signal strength weakens if it passes through a wall.  So make sure you place your router in an open space and preferably in the center area of your house or office to take advantage of the signal strength.

5. Stop the Wireless Zero Configuration.  Before writing this article I promised myself not to touch anything more technical but I can't help but mention this one thing that can also keep your sanity in fixing the wireless connection of your computer.  The "Wireless Zero Configuration"  is a process run by your computer to start a wireless connection with other wireless device.  If it is still running while wireless connection is active it can cause problem with your wireless connection.

Solution: shut it down and see if the situation improves. Here's how:
Click "Start."
Click "Control Panel."
Click "Administrative Tools."
Click "Services."
Scroll down to "Wireless Zero Configuration." It probably says "Started" next to it. Right-click on it and select "Stop."
Then use the Internet for a while and see if you notice an improvement. If you do, then you'll want to keep Wireless Zero Configuration permanently disabled.

So that's it!  I said it.  Those are some simple things you can do before calling a tech support and sharing a piece of your mind on the poor tech guy.  It will also save you time waiting for your turn to be helped.

Till then my friends.... May the "Force" be with you always!