Intermittent Internet Connection? Here's What You Can Do

Having a bad day because your internet connection seems to disconnect very so often for no reason?

Well, here are some methods you could use to determine where the problem lies (as much as you can anyway) before contacting your ISP in rightful anger.

Please take note that I'm not exactly VERY tech savvy myself but I do have a general idea of how things work, and hence, I've tried writing this guide in the simplest way I know how. Hope you'll find it easy enough to follow!

Before we start

First things first, you need to understand that there are several "devices" that your connection will go through before reaching a website. Here's a (hopefully) helpful flow chart.

*pending*

Try to remember the names of these "devices" because I'll mention about them in the step-by-step guide below.

Also, perform these simple Quick Fixes to see if they help:

1. Restart both router and modem - turn off both your router and your modem (router first and then modem) for 10 seconds and then turn them back on (modem first and then router)
2. Restart your computer with the automatic Windows update on - if there are important updates, your PC will automatically update all the necessary items.
3. Flush your DNS - Guide

Step 1: Check whether the intermittent internet connection problem originated from your laptop/ PC

Here's what you can do:

Using WiFi

- Check the internet connection* on your other devices. You can do so by loading an app that require a stable connection to run properly like a game app or you could run a Pingtest.

*Make sure your devices are all connected to the connection you're having trouble with.

Using an internet cable
- Plug the same cable you're using into another PC and check the connection on Pingtest.
OR
- Replace said cable with a new one (that has been tested at the store, if possible) and check the connection on Pingtest.


Outcome and Solution:

• Using WiFi: Internet is still intermittent on other devices - Problem isn't related to your PC

Solution: Proceed to Step 2

• Using WiFi: Internet is NOT intermittent on other devices - Problem lies with your PC

One more test: 
Try connecting to the internet using an internet cable (a new/ a tested one - you'll need to make sure the cable is not faulty). If the connection is stable, then...
Solution: Update your wireless driver

If not: Perform troubleshooting on the PC you're having internet problems with, and don't forget to scan your PC for any malware and viruses using reliable software like Malwarebytes (for malware), or any of these antivirus programs - Kaspersky, Avast. AVG, McAfee, Avira, etc etc or even Windows Defender

• Using an internet cable: Internet is still intermittent on other PC/ with new cable - Problem isn't related to your PC

Solution: Proceed to Step 2

• Using an internet cable: Internet is NOT intermittent on other PC/ with new cable - Problem lies with your PC/ internet cable

Solution: Replace internet cable, check PC internet settings (Something must be interfering with your connection) and don't forget to scan your PC for any malware and viruses using reliable software like Malwarebytes (for malware), or any of these antivirus programs - Kaspersky, Avast. AVG, McAfee, Avira, etc etc or even Windows Defender

Step 2: Check for packet loss

A brief explanation on the term "packet loss". The data travelling in your internet connection is actually called "packets". If there's a loss during the packet delivery from your PC/device to the server (of the website you're using or connecting to), then the data you send will be incomplete.
More on Packet Loss.

Here's what you do: 
- Connect your PC directly to the modem (not the router) using a working internet cable if possible (To reduce any possible error due to using a WiFi connection)
- Do a packet loss test (Windows 10 guide below)

1. Right click on the Start Menu button and select "Command Prompt"
2. Type the stuff I've underlined in red, letter by letter, space by space: 
   
3. Press Enter and let it run for awhile (maybe around 5 minutes or so). Then, press Ctrl+C to stop the test.
4. If there's a packet loss issue, you will see multiple "Request Timed Out" in between the pings like this
   
   and you should also see this (circled in red) at the end once you've ended the test. 
   
   Ideally, packet loss should be within 1% to 2.5% at most. If the percentage reaches anywhere near 5% and above, you should be worried as the quality of your internet connection will be somewhat disrupted, especially if you play online games which relies on twitch reflexes.
5. Take a screenshot of the results (the end part - with the percentage) of your packet loss test. (Press PrtScrn button, paste the image in Paint and then save the image)

Outcome and Solution:

• There IS an approximately 5% and above packet loss percentage.

Solution: There IS a problem with your internet connection. Proceed to Step 3

• There ISN'T an approximately 5% and above packet loss percentage.

Solution: The problem ISN'T related to your connection, but possibly related to your router, or the connection between your router, modem and the telephone port. Check cable connection between router and modem as well as modem and your telephone port. Perform troubleshoot on router. If the router is provided by your ISP, you can try calling them to get some help.

Step 3: Check where the packet loss occur

Remember the flow chart at the very beginning? Well, we're going to determine where exactly (if possible) the packet loss occurs. However, please note that this method is not foolproof. It might or might not work.
More on Traceroute and How to Use It to Identify Problems.

Here's what you do:
- Run a Traceroute (while still connected via internet cable to the modem)

1. Go back to your opened Command Prompt
2. Type the stuff I've underlined in red, letter by letter, space by space:
   
3. Press Enter to run the Traceroute and wait until you see the text "Trace Complete"
4. Take a screenshot of the results of your test.

Outcome and Solution:

• "Request Timed Out" on the first hop (meaning the first line) - The problem possibly lies with the device your PC is currently directly connected to be it a router or a modem

Solution: Check cable connection between router and modem as well as modem and your telephone port. If you suspect the problem lies with the modem, contact your ISP. 

Note: You may need to disable your Windows Firewall if your Tracert result returns a "Request Timed Out" starting from the first hop (meaning the first line onward).

• "Request Timed Out" on second or third hops - The problem possibly lies with your ISP

Solution: Contact your ISP tell them in detail of your internet problem. Mention about the tests you've run and ask them if they would like to see the results. If so, send them the screenshots you've taken.

• "Request Timed Out" on certain lines but not others

Solution: Sometimes, your traceroute request might be blocked by certain routers/ servers on its way to the google servers. If that's the case, you can try running a traceroute to another reliable server. You can get some choice servers here.

• "Destination Net Unreachable"

Solution: The site you're trying to reach is down/unreachable somehow. You should try unning a traceroute to another reliable server. You can get some choice servers here.

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Right, so I've gotten proof that I'm experiencing packet loss and I'll be contacting my ISP tomorrow. I hope my shoddy guide helps :) If not, feel free to post your questions in the comments and I'll see if I can help. 

Again, please remember that I'm not a network expert or anything and most of the stuff I know/ somewhat know comes from good old Google - I did a LOT of reading.

**All links in this article will redirect you to an ad site for 30 seconds at most. You can easily skip the ad after 15 seconds I think. Thanks for helping me out by clicking the links :)