Basic DSL Router Troubleshooting Made Easy

Let's face it, no one likes to call technical support if they don't have to. Having to call technical support can be time consuming and can at times, be very aggravating. The following simple steps will save time on your Internet service interruption, and if you do have to call technical support, you'll have already done some of the troubleshooting steps before calling.

If your Internet service was working previously, the first thing to try to save time and effort before getting into the wiring is a process called "power cycling."

1. Simply shutdown/turn off both your computer and the DSL Router.

2. Then turn on the DSL router and allow it to completely startup. Make sure that you see at least a power light, and an Internet/WAN (Wide Area Network) light light before turning the computer.

3. Once your computer is completely started-up look again to the DSL router and now there should be an Ethernet/LAN (Local Area Network) light lit-up as well.

If this doesn't immediately get you reconnected to the Internet then check all the physical connections for a secure fit.

1. Make sure the power cable is securely connected to the DSL router and wall power socket, and the DSL router is turned on.

2. Make sure there is a Internet data cable is connected to the DSL router, and at the other end the cable should be connected to an Internet data source. For DSL the Internet data source cable will be a telephone cord that connects from the DSL router to a DSL filter at a wall jack. This is a push-in clip style connection. Depress the clip and remove cable from the socket, check socket and clip-end for damage or dust/dirt, then place clip back into the socket. Press firmly and listen or feel the clip "snap" back into place. If the clip is damaged or missing replace the cable as soon as possible.

3. Make sure that you have an Ethernet cable connected to the DSL router at one end and the other is connected to the NIC (Network Interface Card) in your computer. The Ethernet cable looks like a thick telephone cord (they come in varying colors), although the end clips are larger than a regular telephone cord and will not fit into a standard telephone wall jack.

As a final step shutdown/turn off both your computer and the cable modem. Then first turn on the DSL Router and allow it to completely startup. Make sure that you see at least a power light, and an Internet/WAN (Wide Area Network) light before turning the computer. Once your computer is completely started-up look again to the DSL Router and now there should be a Ethernet/LAN (Local Area Network) light lit-up as well. Try using your favorite Browser, IM or email client.