Most practices today rely on technology for many different activities. You might stream music throughout to create aesthetics and a calming vibe. Your staff may depend on terminals in various rooms to access the internet or patient files. Even the break room may have streaming capabilities to give people access to their favorite shows.
It all works … until it doesn’t.
You lose connection and go into a panic.
Or maybe the internet connection is just sllooowwww …
What happens when your WiFi goes down? How do you restore access to get your practice back up and running?
Luckily, you can do some troubleshooting on your own and restore your WiFi for better connectivity. Here are a few of the most common problems.
Slow or zero connection in some rooms
WiFi broadcasts as radio waves out from the router. If the router is located at the far end of your practice, it may have trouble reaching devices throughout your commercial location.
A typical WiFi router operates on a traditional 2.4 GHz band and can reach up to 150 feet indoors. Older routers decrease the distance.
Location is everything. The further you are from the router, the weaker the signal. Physical obstructions such as walls can also impact the signal. Ideally, the router will be in a central location, up high in the ceiling, where it can bypass obstacles.
Slow internet everywhere
If the entire network seems to be slowing down, transmission may be a problem. Electromagnetic waves from other wireless devices can add unwanted noise interference into your space. It may also be a case of interference from other nearby networks. Consider changing the channel on your router settings. Most routers have multiple channels to transmit from. Play with different channels until you find one that increases your speed.
One device can’t connect
Sometimes you run into an issue where one device can’t find the WiFi signal. It’s probably a network issue. The easiest way to solve it is to turn the device’s WiFi off, wait a few seconds, and then turn it back on. Rebooting the device can also solve the problem.
If that doesn’t solve the issue, you can try unplugging the router, waiting 30 seconds, then plugging it back in.
Manage users
Age can cause a lot of problems with internet connection. If your WiFi is running slow, take a look at how many users are on the network. Are there devices hogging the system that aren’t even in use? Are there devices coming from other resources?
This is a chance to add protective access to ensure only necessary devices are attached to the system. It also gives you a chance to distribute bandwidth based on user demands. This can alert you to specific devices using more than their share of upstream or downstream bandwidth.
It’s time to upgrade the router
If you’ve been using the same router for a couple of years, it may be time for an upgrade. Internet speed has changed a lot in the past few years. You can start by updating the router’s firmware. It might be time for a new router if that has little impact.
Have more questions about your WiFi signal? Have specific questions about your technology? Maybe it’s time to bring in Help desk service to ensure your practice’s issues are always met.
For IT Strategy, Cloud Conversion, or Help Desk Services reach out to us at Silver Linings Technology 360-450-4759.
