Have you ever felt stressed when dealing with a slow internet connection? We have all been there! In fact, internet issues are quite common even when you have a reliable internet service like AT&T. But what if we tell you that resolving those issues is also quite simple most of the time?
We have assembled some of the best AT&T internet troubleshooting tips to help you with the most frequent connection problems, such as lagging, interruptions, or an outage.
AT&T Internet Troubleshooting Tips – A Step-By-Step Guide
The solution to your laggy AT&T internet connection might be quite simple, but the challenging part is to identify the exact problem. Before ringing AT&T’s customer support, determine whether the problem lies with your gateway or connection.
Troubleshoot Your AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway
While other factors can impact your internet service, Wi-Fi problems are often the main reason for a sluggish internet connection. So, if you are experiencing slow internet speeds, follow these quick and easy Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips to solve your problem.
Restart Your AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway or Modem
How often do you reboot your desktop or laptop in case of any glitches? You can apply the same logic to your AT&T Wi-Fi gateway or modem to improve your connection. Restarting your gateway or modem solves most basic Wi-Fi issues by clearing out all the bugs affecting your equipment’s performance and initiating the required updates.
- Unplug your AT&T Wi-Fi gateway or modem’s power cord. Also, remove the backup battery (if there is any) and reinsert it.
- Wait for at least 15 seconds before reconnecting the gateway or modem.
- Once the lights stop flashing, check your connection to see if there is any improvement.
You should reboot your equipment regularly for a smooth performance. One quick tip is to check the lights on your gateway to see if there is any problem. Your AT&T Wi-Fi gateway may have signal issues if its Power, Broadband, and Service lights are not solid green. You can visit this page to learn the meaning of each light.
Change the Location of Your AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway or Modem
Have you placed your Wi-Fi gateway in a cupboard? In that case, you might be experiencing slow speeds due to weak Wi-Fi signals. You can solve this by:
- Placing your AT&T gateway in a central location in your home.
- Keep it 3 feet away from other electronic devices like microwave ovens, baby monitors, and cordless phones so they don’t interfere with your Wi-Fi signals.
Reset Your AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway
If you are still experiencing poor signals or weak performance, reset your AT&T Wi-Fi gateway. This step will resolve most performance issues by freeing up memory and removing malware.
Keep in mind that this should be your last resort to fix Wi-Fi problems, as this step will wipe out all custom settings, including your Wi-Fi credentials. So, note down every important detail before resetting your gateway.
- Press and hold the Reset button at the backside of your gateway, for 10 seconds. (Remember that your gateway will only reboot if you press it for less than 10 seconds).
- Wait for the gateway to restart and until all the status lights illuminate.
- Your reset was successful if the Broadband or Service status lights are solid green.
Troubleshoot Your AT&T Internet Service
If you are experiencing a slow connection even after troubleshooting your Wi-Fi, the issue might not be from your side. Fluctuating speeds and power outages are often due to AT&T’s network problems. Follow these simple AT&T Internet troubleshooting instructions to tackle the problem.
Check Your Internet Speed
Before contacting your provider, check whether your actual speed matches the rate advertised by AT&T. Take an online speed test, and if you have a non-fiber AT&T internet service, make sure to run multiple speed tests at different times of the day. For optimal results, follow these instructions before testing your internet speed:
- Disconnect all the extra devices.
- If you are testing AT&T’s Internet speed on your phone, stand close to your Wi-Fi gateway.
- Disconnect all the electrical appliances that might interfere with your Wi-Fi signals, like microwave ovens, baby monitors, or cordless phones.
- Close all the bandwidth-consuming applications on your phone to get an accurate result.
There is a possibility that you might only need a faster internet plan. However, if your actual internet speed is significantly lower than what AT&T promised, you should contact their customer service.
Check for an Outage
If you are unable to use your AT&T Internet service, check for an outage in your area through the my AT&T app. You can also visit AT&T’s Service Outage page to see if the service is down in your area.
- Enter your state and ZIP code, and select your AT&T Internet service.
- Click the ‘Check for Outages’ button to see if any disruptions are reported in your area.
Search for Damaged Cables
We all love pets, but they can often damage your wires. If you are facing a choppy internet connection, make sure that your cables are properly connected to your Wi-Fi gateway and are free from damage.
In case of any physical cuts or twists in your cables or degradation due to corrosion or moisture, contact AT&T to replace them.
Check the Connected Devices
Don’t overload your network by connecting multiple devices. Each AT&T Internet plan supports a different number of gadgets. So, you will experience slower internet speed if the network is overcrowded.
The following table explains how many devices you can connect on each AT&T internet plan.
| AT&T Internet Plans | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Internet 100 | Less than 10 |
| Fiber Internet 300 | Up to 10 |
| Fiber Internet 500 | Up to 11 |
| Fiber Internet 1 Gig | Up to 12 |
| Fiber Internet 2 Gig | More than 12 |
| Fiber Internet 5 Gig | More than 15 |
Check for Dues
Lastly, you might be facing throttled speeds or even disconnection because of unpaid internet bills. So, log in to your myAT&T app to see if there are any outstanding fees. AT&T will apply late fees to your bill if you pay it after the due date. If AT&T has suspended your internet service due to non-payment, you will have to pay a reconnection fee.
Contact AT&T’s Customer Service
It’s time to ring AT&T’s customer service if you are still experiencing poor internet speeds or a laggy connection. You can also visit their Support page to chat with an online representative. Choose the type of Internet service you are using, and then click the ‘Contact Us’ option to get started.
Conclusion
According to the Ericsson Mobility Report, network delays during time-bound tasks are quite taxing, increasing your stress levels. While AT&T is one of the most reliable names in the market, its service is not immune to network issues. This AT&T Internet troubleshooting guide has discussed quick solutions to the most recurring problems, allowing you to solve your network issue within minutes.
