No rest for the weary
So, you decide to take a break and do something relaxing with your family (or even your friends who helped you move). You’re thinking you should just pop some popcorn (believe it or not, you have located the popcorn) and gather around the living room TV to stream your favorite movie or show. But there’s one tiny problem. And it hits you once you power on the TV. No internet.
Maybe this scenario sounds only too familiar to you. Or maybe you’re here today because you’re trying to get ahead of the game and get your internet set up in time to prevent these problems.
Whatever your particular internet (or lack of internet) situation, today is #InternetDay. And that makes it a perfect time to talk about getting internet set up in your mobile home. And let’s add a few troubleshooting tips, too, for good measure.
Determine what you’re looking for
Let’s start by taking a quick inventory of what exactly you’re looking to get. Do you want just internet? Or are you looking to get both internet and phone service from the same provider? Some of you may be interested in getting even more – internet, phone, and cable TV – in one fell swoop.
Choose an internet service provider
Once you have an idea of what it is you actually want, move on to choosing an internet service provider. First off, figure out which providers offer service in your area. If you’re in a rural area, service may be cost prohibitive or providers may not be able to set it up for you.
Once you’ve nailed down providers that do have coverage where you live, it’s up to you to select the one you want. In addition to using your own criteria for comparison shopping, consider asking neighbors for their recommendations. Ask what internet service provider they use and if they’re happy with their experience.
And select a plan
Be sure to select a plan with enough data for your needs. Some providers also offer phone and cable TV, so you may choose to get those, too. However, don’t end up paying for more than what you need. If you have a cell phone and wouldn’t really use a landline, why pay for it?
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Let the internet service provider handle the set-up
The good news here is that you don’t have to do this stuff yourself. Leave the set-up to the professionals. The internet company should send someone to your house and let you know when to expect their representative. But if they don’t, you can always ask.
Their employee will set up your hardware. They may run cables and even get up on your roof if necessary.
Troubleshoot – before you call the pro’s
Of course, once your internet service provider finishes the set-up, it would be great if your internet worked just right for as long as you live in your home. Unfortunately, you can’t guarantee this will be the case. As with other areas of life, it’s common to run into a hiccup or two.
However, if you do run into a setback, all is not lost. If your internet fails you, here are a couple of things to try.
Tip #1. Reboot the router
If you’re stuck with no internet, rebooting your router could get you back up and running.
Tip #2. Reboot the computer
Though this may sound strangely simple, restarting your computer may right the internet problems in some cases. Since it’s very easy to do, give it a shot.
Tip #3. Check if the router is properly connected to the power source
Obviously, if your internet router requires power and has none, it’s not going to work. So, double check those electrical plugs.
Tip #4. Head to your internet service providers’ website
Yes, this option will only work if you have another way to access the internet. But if you can pull up a webpage on your mobile phone, then use that method as a workaround. They may have some self-troubleshooting options listed on the site. And if they do, try them. Finally, if you’ve exhausted the service provider’s online suggestions, you can always head to their contact page and reach out to them for assistance.
Bonus tip: what you can do for a weak Wi-Fi signal
If your problem is that your Wi-Fi signal is great in some areas of the house but not-so-good in others, we’ve got you covered. Head out and buy a range extender (or stay right at your computer and purchase one online if you prefer).
Life with internet awaits…
Once you’ve got your internet set up, you’ve got the green light for that family movie night. Plus, you can get to those emails that have been piling up. Or maybe there’s some research on your local surroundings you need to do. Additionally, if you’re working on setting up a home office, having internet access may give you the freedom to get started on your work even if you haven’t unpacked your printer and office supplies yet.
