It’s happened to all of us at some point. Your Wi-Fi signal is strong but there’s no internet connectivity.

Frustrating as it is, it’s also explainable – because Wi-Fi and the internet are two different things, and understanding the difference can help you troubleshoot future network problems.

How is Wi-Fi different from the internet?
Wi-Fi is a registered trade name for a group of technologies that allow a device, such as a computer, smartphone or game console, to wirelessly connect to a local area network (LAN) using a radio link. Wi-Fi replaces the need for a physical cable between a networked device and a router – a device that manages connections between all of the devices on the LAN.

The internet is a general name for hundreds of millions of smaller networks, such as LANs, linked together and within these smaller networks are billions of connected devices. These computers can be linked together using physical wires, optical cabling and radio links.

So, when your device has a Wi-Fi connection, you are connected to a LAN. But…the LAN you’re connected to may not necessarily be connected to the internet. That’s where the problem lies. Let’s take a closer look.

Understanding the connection problem
Your device is linked to a router via Wi-Fi, forming a local network, and, when all goes well, your local network is successfully connected to the internet.

Sometimes, the link between your local network (managed by a router, hub or modem) and the internet goes down. There could be a temporary problem with your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) equipment, physical damage to cables that link you to the ISP’s network or some other issue. In that case, you are still connected to the local network but your local network is not connected to the internet, in which case your device may show a strong Wi-Fi connection or signal but you have no internet connectivity.

What to do when your internet connection is down
When you have internet connection problems, first try restarting your device. If that doesn’t work, you can reboot your router. Some devices have a power switch, but the unplug-and-plug-back-in method applies to all routers. Whilst you’re waiting for it to power back up again, take the opportunity to verify all the cables are securely connected. Also, check for overheating as, like any other device, routers can fall prey. If the vents are blocked or you have it in a hot location, overheating can cause instability.

If all else fails, call your ISP and report the problem. Or, if you’re struggling with the above, give us a call at First Class Technologies! We’ll be happy to try to help.

Using your voice to control Windows can be a helpful option if you physically can’t or don’t want to use your mouse and keyboard. You can dictate texts to create emails, documents and more.

Windows has long provided its own Speech Recognition tool to set up and use dictation. Windows 10 adds to the mix with its own speech settings. The trick is to get Windows to understand you clearly enough so the process is worth the effort. Learn the best way to set up and use voice recognition in Windows.

Setup in Control Panel
In any supported version in Windows, including Windows 10, you can set up voice dictation in Windows through Control Panel. To do this, open Control Panel in icon view and click the icon for Speech Recognition. At the Speech Recognition screen, click the link to Start Speech Recognition.

Choose the type of microphone you’re using, and then dictate the displayed words to teach Windows your voice. After you’re finished, the Speech Recognition bar pops up at the top of the screen. You can immediately begin dictating text.

Open a document, email or other file in which you want to dictate. Click the microphone icon on the Speech Recognition bar to start listening mode. Dictate your text. You can dictate punctuation, symbols, and other parts of speech as well as specific actions such as ‘new line’ and ‘new paragraph’. To find out what you can say, right-click the Speech Recognition bar and select Open Speech Reference Card. When you’re finished, click the microphone icon again to turn off listening mode.

If Windows is having trouble understanding your words, right-click the Speech Recognition bar, move to Configuration, and select Improve Voice Recognition. Windows takes you through a lengthy series of screens where you dictate certain sentences to help it better pick up your speech.