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Consistent internet connection

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Tags: Microsoft, Networking, Windows

In our household, we share a single ethernet cable among three devices: two Microsoft PCs and a laptop. Recently, both PCs lost their internet connection. Strangely, one of them can only access Google-related sites like YouTube and Gmail. We observed that when we first connect the laptop and then switch the cable back to either PC, full internet access returns. This pattern keeps repeating. How can we ensure a consistent internet connection for each device without having to randomly connect the laptop first?

I’m not tech-savvy, but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Topic

Reply To: Consistent internet connection

In reply to Consistent internet connection

It seems like you’re experiencing some issues with sharing a single Ethernet cable among multiple devices. The behavior you’re describing could be due to a few reasons, and there are some steps you can take to try and ensure a consistent internet connection for each device without needing to connect the laptop first:

Check the Ethernet Cable: Ensure that the Ethernet cable you’re using is in good condition and not damaged. Sometimes, faulty cables can cause intermittent connectivity issues.

Router Configuration: It’s possible that your router may have some settings that are affecting the way devices connect to the internet. You should log in to your router’s admin panel and check for any Quality of Service (QoS) settings or bandwidth allocation settings that might prioritize one device over the others. Adjust these settings if necessary to ensure fair distribution of bandwidth.

Static IP Addresses: Assign static IP addresses to each of your devices. This can help prevent IP conflicts and ensure that each device consistently gets the same IP address when connected.

DHCP Lease: If you’re using DHCP to assign IP addresses, try increasing the DHCP lease time on your router. This will make sure that devices maintain their IP addresses for a longer period, reducing the chances of conflicts.

Restart the Router: Occasionally, routers can become overwhelmed or experience issues. A simple router restart can often resolve connectivity problems.

Firmware Update: Check if there are any firmware updates available for your router. Sometimes, updating the router’s firmware can address known bugs or issues.

Network Switch or Hub: If you’re using a network switch or hub to split the Ethernet connection, it might be malfunctioning. Try replacing it with a new or known working switch or hub.

Network Isolation: If the problem persists, you might consider setting up a dedicated switch or router for each device to isolate their connections. This can ensure consistent access without interference.

Professional Assistance: If the problem continues despite trying these steps, consider reaching out to your internet service provider (ISP) or a professional network technician. There might be underlying issues with your internet connection that require expert assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and hopefully resolve the inconsistent internet connection issues you’re facing with your devices.

Re: internet connection

In reply to Consistent internet connection

Use a switch to connect more devices to one modem port. Or use WiFi.

[ramrammarketing]

Reply To: Consistent internet connection

In reply to Re: internet connection

In our household, we share a single ethernet cable among three devices: two Microsoft PCs and a laptop. Recently, both PCs lost their internet connection. Strangely, one of them can only access Google-related sites like YouTube and Gmail. We observed that when we first connect the laptop and then switch the cable back to either PC, full internet access returns. This pattern keeps repeating. How can we ensure a consistent internet connection for each device without having to randomly connect the laptop first?

I’m not tech-savvy, but any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by ramrammarketing.
• This reply was modified 11 months ago by kees_b.

It may help you

In reply to Consistent internet connection

It sounds like your router might be assigning IP addresses dynamically, and there could be conflicts causing this issue. To fix this, try restarting your router and all devices connected to it. Additionally, you can assign static IP addresses to each device in your router’s settings. This ensures that each device always gets the same IP address, avoiding conflicts. If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, you might want to ask someone with technical knowledge to assist you. Hope this helps!

[elsaelijah37]

Reply To: Consistent internet connection

In reply to Consistent internet connection

It seems like you’re encountering an issue with your network setup that might be related to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and IP address allocation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you resolve the problem:

1. **Restart the Router:**
First, try restarting your router or modem. Unplug it from the power source, wait for about 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This can often resolve connectivity issues.

2. **Check Ethernet Cable:**
Ensure that the Ethernet cable is not damaged and is securely connected to the router and the devices.

3. **DHCP Configuration:**
It’s possible that your router is not properly assigning IP addresses to all devices. DHCP should automatically assign IP addresses to connected devices, but sometimes it can get stuck or experience issues.

– **Release and Renew IP Addresses (Windows):**
On each PC, you can try releasing and renewing the IP address:
– Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
– Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
– Then, type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.

– **Release and Renew IP Addresses (Laptop):**
You can also do this on the laptop in case it helps:
– Open a Command Prompt as mentioned above.
– Type ipconfig /release and press Enter.
– Then, type ipconfig /renew and press Enter.

4. **Static IP Addresses:**
If the issue persists, you can assign static IP addresses to each device manually. To do this:

– On each PC and the laptop, go to the network settings.
– Look for the option to set a static IP address and configure it. Make sure each device has a unique IP address within the same subnet. For example:
– PC1: 192.168.1.10
– PC2: 192.168.1.11
– Laptop: 192.168.1.12
– Set the Subnet Mask to 255.255.255.0, and the Default Gateway to your router’s IP address (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).

5. **DNS Configuration:**
Ensure that the DNS (Domain Name System) settings on each device are set to automatic or use the DNS servers provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Incorrect DNS settings can sometimes lead to connectivity issues.

6. **Router Firmware Update:**
Check if there’s a firmware update available for your router and apply it if necessary. Router firmware updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve such issues.

7. **Contact Your ISP:**
If none of the above steps work, con

• This reply was modified 11 months, 1 week ago by elsaelijah37.

[kees_b]

Reply To: Consistent internet connection

In reply to Consistent internet connection

It sounds like you’re experiencing issues with your network configuration that result in intermittent internet access for your devices. Here are some steps you can follow to help resolve the issue:

Check Physical Connections:
Ensure that the Ethernet cable is securely connected to the router and each device. Sometimes loose connections can cause network issues.

Router Reboot:
Try rebooting your router by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for about 30 seconds, and then plugging it back in. This can help refresh the network settings and resolve connectivity problems.

IP Address Renewal:
On each of the Microsoft PCs, you can try renewing the IP address. Here’s how to do it:
Press Win + X on your keyboard and select “Windows Terminal” or “Command Prompt” (depending on your Windows version).
Type the following command and press Enter:
ipconfig /release
Then:
ipconfig /renew
This will request a new IP address from the router and may help resolve any IP conflicts.

Check Router Settings:
Log in to your router’s web interface. You can usually access this by entering the router’s IP address (commonly 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) into a web browser.
Check for any settings related to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and ensure it is enabled. DHCP is responsible for assigning IP addresses to devices on your network automatically.

Static IP Address Assignment:
If you continue to experience issues, you can try assigning static IP addresses to your PCs. This ensures that each PC always gets the same IP address from the router. To do this, consult your router’s manual or look for a DHCP reservation feature in your router settings.

Network Troubleshooter:
On Windows, you can run the built-in Network Troubleshooter to diagnose and fix network problems. To do this:
Click the network icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner).
Select “Troubleshoot problems” and follow the on-screen instructions.

Update Network Drivers:
Ensure that the network drivers on your PCs are up-to-date. Outdated drivers can sometimes cause connectivity problems. Visit the manufacturer’s website for your PC to download the latest network drivers.

Consider a Network Switch or Hub:
If your router has limited Ethernet ports, you might consider adding a network switch or hub to expand the number of available ports. This would eliminate the need to swap cables between devices.

• This reply was modified 11 months ago by kees_b.

Solution

In reply to Consistent internet connection

Your issue could be related to IP address assignment. Try rebooting your router or enabling DHCP to ensure each device gets a consistent IP address. This might stabilize your internet connection.

[Author]

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