Basic Internet Trouble Shooting

Classroom teachers with an understanding of technology are often called upon by students and fellow teachers to solve basic problems with internet connections.

There are two main possibilities that can cause difficulties with internet connections: 

1. There is a problem with the website or the host server.
2. There is a problem somewhere between your computer and the host server.

Internet Connection Problems

• Lock up - your web browser is locked up and other programs are still working: quit and restart browser application.  If the problem occurs only on a specific site, avoid the site or use a different browser.
• Net Connection - the browser is fine, but none of your usual websites can be located.   The Internet connection may be down.  Try to restart the connection or reboot the computer and try again.
• Reload images - you can access web sites but graphics don't show up.  Reload the page.  If the problem persists, the server is probably overloaded or the graphics have been moved and are no longer accessible.

Site Connection Errors

desi-zone.com

• Local or domain server is down 
• Firewalls - school district firewalls often prohibit access to many websites; teachers may sometimes be granted temporary access to websites with their district passwords
• URL syntax errors - each dot, punctuation mark and letter in a URL must be correct or the site will not load.
• URL errors occur in suffixes that follow the domain designator 
• Server traffic - a graphic intensive site may not be designed for high user traffic.  It may fail to load or may run very slowly
• Bad or dead links - a site may have been removed from the Internet

Features on the Site Will Not Work

wyden.senate.gov

• Plug in required - a special program may need to be downloaded and installed; pop-up boxes may need to be allowed
• Compatibility errors - Some sites will only function properly with a particular web browser; The Learning Institute which is used by the Little Rock School District to monitor student achievement on standardized tests, create Academic Improvement Plans and to develop practice questions in preparation for AACTAP testing can only be viewed properly when accessed through Internet Explorer.  Materials can only be printed if pop-up blockers are turned off. 

Learning Institute. (n.d.). [website]. Retrieved from http://www.tlionline.net/
MediaCollege.com. (n.d.). [website]. Retrieved from                                   
       http://www.mediacollege.com/internet/troubleshooter/connect-to-website.html

Roblyer, M. D. & Doering, A. H.(2010).  Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching.  Boston,  MA:  Pearson Education, Inc. 
Stewart, B. (2000). Living Internet. Retrieved from   

       http://www.livinginternet.com/tabout.htm