Are You Cleaning Up Your Network for 2026?

Now that we’re ankle-deep into 2026, it may be time to reflect on your New Year’s resolutions, specifically if you made any concerning your business. Perhaps you’ve resolved to use AI to speed up your workflow or beef up your sales force to provide steadier growth.

Those are commendable notions, but cleaning up all the garbage that clogs up your network needs to go first. If you use a good Managed IT Services firm, you’re probably in good shape, but if you’re still relying on haphazard IT Support (like your college-age nephew) you’ve probably got a lot of junk in that trunk.

Your network system is the oil that facilitates your operations – and your success. It's the digital artery that pumps data through your organization, enabling everything from email to critical applications and cloud services.

When you fall victim to downtime, the consequences can be catastrophic. Communication is cut off and productivity grinds to a halt. Additionally, it can leave your customers hanging and unhappy and dry up revenue streams. This is the stark reality of network downtime.

When downtime strikes, it’s important to identify the source as fast as possible. Understanding the issue can save you time, money, and countless headaches. Let's get started on keeping your network up and running smoothly.

Here are some helpful tips to troubleshoot common business network issues.

Step 1: Identify the Problem

Understanding the nature of the problem is always the first step. By gathering detailed information, you can narrow down potential causes.

Gauge the Scope of Damage

Is the outage stopping the entire network, or is it just affecting a single user or a group of users? This helps you zero in on the cause, and potential solutions.

If the disruption is confined to only one user, it might be a device problem, perhaps even a cable gone bad. If the entire network is down, it’s definitely a more significant issue.

Investigate

Survey the affected users with specific questions about the problem. When did it start? What were they doing when it happened? Have they tried any solutions? Gathering detailed information helps pinpoint the cause.

Examine Error Messages

Error messages or alerts often accompany these problems, and they can provide clues about the nature of the issue. Document these messages for future reference.

Inspect Physical Connections

It could be as simple as a cable that’s been kicked loose. Physical connections are often overlooked, but they are the first place to look, as they can be a common cause of network issues. Check cables, ports, and power sources. Ensure that cables are securely connected and undamaged. A loose or damaged cable can cause connectivity issues. Test cables with another device to confirm they work correctly.

Once you rule those out, go on to the next most obvious cause.

Check Power Sources

After cables, this is an obvious place to look. Even though an affected computer has power, make sure that all networking equipment has power. Check power cables and adapters. Sometimes, a simple power issue can cause network problems. Reset power sources if necessary.

Check All Network Devices

The next step is to go beyond the computer and check routers, switches, and modems. Ensure they are functioning correctly, and all lights show normal operation. Restart these devices to see if it resolves the issue. Sometimes, a reboot can clear temporary glitches.

Step 2: Examine Network Connectivity

Testing network connectivity may identify where the connection fails and whether the issue is device-specific or network-wide. Using simple tools and tests can provide valuable insights into the problem.

Ping and Traceroute

An effective way to test network connectivity is to use ping and traceroute commands. These tools help identify where the connection fails. For example, if ping works locally but not remotely, the issue might be external.

Switch Out and Test Different Devices

Try interchanging devices to test the network. This helps determine if the issue is device-specific or network-wide. Does one device connect successfully while another doesn’t? Then the problem might be with the device, not the network.

Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength

If your Wi-Fi fails, it drags everything down with it, so check the signal strength. Weak signals can cause connectivity issues. Move closer to the router or access point and see if the connection improves. Consider using Wi-Fi analyzers to identify signal strength and interference.

Step 3: Examine Your Network Configuration

This is an often-overlooked cause of problems if there is a fault with your network configuration. The issue can go unnoticed until there’s a bottleneck causing a logjam, at which point they can cause connectivity issues. Check IP settings, DNS settings, and configurations on routers and switches. This can help you identify and resolve misconfigurations. Some of these are a bit technical. They might need the help of an IT services partner.

Examine Your IP Settings

Verify IP settings on affected devices, ensure that devices have the correct IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateways. Incorrect settings can prevent devices from connecting to the network.

Check DNS (Domain Name System) Settings

Problems with accessing websites and services can be due to incorrect DNS settings. Use reliable DNS servers and ensure settings are correctly configured.

Check Router and Switch Configurations

Connectivity problems also arise if there are incorrect settings or misconfigurations on routers and switches. Check for any changes that might have caused the issue.

Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring of Network Performance

Monitoring network performance should be done on an ongoing basis. This helps identify ongoing issues and potential bottlenecks. There are many tools you can use for this purpose. They also help pre-warn you of network issues.

Adopt Network Monitoring Tools

Install network monitoring tools to track performance if you don’t already have them. These tools provide insights into network traffic, bandwidth usage, and potential issues. They help identify trends and pinpoint problem areas.

Locate Bottlenecks

Bottlenecking can occur due to high traffic or heavy usage and can slow down the network, so search out and adjust any network bottlenecks. Consider upgrading bandwidth or optimizing traffic flow to ease congestion.

Check for Interference

Search around for interference sources in wireless networks. Other electronic devices, walls, and even microwaves can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Use different channels or frequencies to reduce interference.

Cybersecurity and Updates

Here’s another no-brainer: keeping your network secure and up to date is crucial for smooth operation. Make sure that all networking equipment has the latest firmware and software updates. Updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements. Regular updates help maintain a stable and secure network.

Ongoing Malware Scans

If you have some fashion of IT support, they should already be running regular malware scans on all devices – check to make sure it is being done. Malware can cause various network issues, including slow performance and connectivity problems. Use reputable antivirus software and keep it updated.

Take a New Look at Current Cybersecurity Settings

Check the security settings on routers and firewalls. Ensure proper configurations and that no unauthorized changes have occurred. Strong security settings help protect the network from external threats.

Do Your Due Diligence

The tips we have provided above are not new, earthshaking concepts – these simply constitute the basic due diligence that should be performed by anyone who wants a fast, reliable network.