Your IT network may run so smoothly most of the time that an occasional lapse takes you completely by surprise. But when that network failure does occur, here are a few possible problems to check for, courtesy of our Austin tech support crew at Gravity Systems.

Hardware issues (including user error) - Obviously, not every IT problem can be solved with, “Have you tried turning it off and on again?” But you’d be surprised at just how often a simple error such as a loose plug or powered-off device can throw a network out of kilter. A dying piece of hardware might also turn out to be the weak link in your network’s chain.

DNS glitches - DNS stands for Domain Name System. DNS servers translate input domain names into IP addresses, connecting to those addresses to open web pages. If your attempts to connect draw error messages such as “Network  Is Unreachable,” ``Refused,” “Timed Out,” or “No Response From Server,” you may have a DNS problem.

ISP problems - Your network failure might actually be an Internet service provider (ISP) problem. You can check this by accessing the Web through a non-networked device and searching for local ISP outage reports. You can also call your ISP and find out firsthand whether they’re having problems on their end.

Malware-related shutdowns - If your IT system’s malware protection is doing its job, it will flag obvious malware or suspicious activities in an application or device. It may even shut that application or device down, creating network glitches.

If you’re like so many busy professionals, you may not have the time, skills, or inclination to handle these and other network failures yourself. But thanks to Gravity Systems, you don’t have to. For the most effective, efficient network troubleshooting and repairs, contact our team today so we can get you networking again!