5 Basic Troubleshooting Steps to Fix Your Network

1. Reboot Your Router

This might sound obvious, but 95% of the time it resolves network related issues. A router is a computer, after all, with its own built in hardware and software (referred to as "firmware") and occasionally, things happen that require a reboot--much like your desktop computer.
Usually, this can be accomplished by pushing the power button on the router, or by logging in to the router itself--although not all routers have a reboot function in the interface. Make sure that you wait a minute or two after you power it off to turn it back on again, then give your network and its devices several minutes to settle in before you try things again.

2. Power Cycle Your Router

This is similar to the first step, but goes a bit further to ensure everything gets reset properly. Instead of simply powering down your router, you'll actually unplug it from power completely, wait 5 minutes, plug it back in, wait a minute or so, and power it on.

3. Check for Firmware Updates

Companies that manufacture wireless routers are always working to improve how they work in customers' networks, and as such udpates are often released that resolve issues reported by users, specific device support, or simply to enhance the product's performance.
You'll need to log into your router as mentioned before, and often it will automatically check for updates. Of course, if something is wrong with your raw Internet connection, this may not work (we'll get to that in step 4) but often the router can connect to the Internet itself, just not route properly.
If the router doesn't automatically prompt you for an update, you can manually invoke one--usually, this setting is located in the "Administration" area of your router's interface. After the firmware update completes, reboot the router and try again.

4. Power Cycle your Modem (Or Whatever It Is Your Provider Uses)

If you have cable internet, you will have a modem that takes the raw Internet feed and allows you to plug it into your router as your pipeline to the web. This modem communicates with your service provider, and will occasionally need to be refreshed. If you've completed the above three steps, it's getting safer to say that the problem may not actually be the router.
If you have a modem, you can follow these steps to try to get things back online:

• Unplug your router
• Unplug your modem
• Wait 5 minutes
• Plug your modem back in
• Wait 1-2 minutes
• Make sure its indicator lights show the proper activity
• Power your router back on
• Wait a few minutes then try your devices again

It's also possible that you may need to contact your Internet provider--they can often remotely see the status of your modem and run updates or a refresh as necessary. In fact, some providers can perform a line refresh through their automated phone lines. Try that if the option is available, and if not, speak to a real human and have them diagnose your connection.

5. Hard Reset Your Router (Using the Special 30-30-30 Method)

Since this method will completely "wipe" your router and return it to factory settings, I'm saving it for the last step. When you do this, all the original settings such as your wireless SSID and password, will be lost.
The procedure is very simple, and you can find full instructions for the 30-30-30 reset here. (While the instructions are for a NETGEAR specific product, this procedure can be used on any wireless router. You will just need to locate the Reset button on the back of the unit.)