Are you having problems with your iiNet NBN plan? Here's what you can do. 

Internet outages rarely happen, but they are inevitable. You would encounter outages even if you're using a reliable NBN Plan. 

More often than not, Internet outages only last for a couple of minutes or hours. Also, you can even solve some Internet problems on your own to reduce the downtime. Several solutions are available to help you fix issues regarding your NBN connection. 

Wonder how's that possible? 

We'll give you an answer to that. In today's article, we will talk about the common problems with iiNet NBN plans and how to fix them. 

Poor WiFi Coverage 

If you're having issues regarding your wireless coverage, start with the most basic solution -- Reboot your device or the modem. Usually, rebooting the device or the modem fixes the problem regarding the WiFi signal or connection. 

To reboot your modem, unplug the power cord from the back of the device. Leave it unplugged for about 60 seconds before plugging it back in. Once you've plugged it back in, wait until all the lights on the modem are lit up and solid -- this usually takes around two minutes. After that, try to connect to your wireless network and see if the issue has been fixed.

In case rebooting doesn't fix the problem, the next thing to do is inspect the modem for physical damages. If your modem has an antenna, check if it's connected properly. Also, make sure to place your modem where its signal can travel without interruption. Avoid placing the modem on closed areas and dense objects, such as filing cabinets, brick walls, or even fish tanks. They can block the WiFi signal. 

Apart from that, be sure that your modem is far enough from a microwave, cordless phone, or radio communication system. These appliances can cause wireless interference. 

Low Download and Upload Speeds 

Many people experience a slow Internet connection. Many factors cause this issue. But fortunately, you can also solve this problem on your own. 

If you're experiencing a slow Internet connection, reboot your WiFi first. After that, disconnect or turn off all other devices that are using the WiFi network. You'll experience a slow Internet connection if many devices are using the WiFi network in your home. 

After rebooting the modem and disconnecting other devices, do a speed test. Check if you are getting the actual speed of your NBN plan. For example, you are using NBN 12 by iiNet. Your average Internet speed should be around 12mbps. 

Fortunately, there are various sites that you can use to check your Internet speed. One of the most popular sites that you can use to check your Internet speed is Speedtest by Ookla. This site is available for free. All you need to do is to visit their website and run the test. After that, you will know your current download and upload speeds. 

If your Internet connection is still slow, disconnect your PC or laptop to the WiFi, and then connect it directly to the UNI-D port on your NBN connection box. The UNI-D port is the one that has a yellow sticker on it. More often than not, it is labelled as “UNI-D” or “WAN”. Once done, do a speed test again to see if there are any changes. 

Connecting directly to the NBN connection box might improve the connection since it eliminates the problems caused by WiFi interference. 

In case you get better results, there might be a problem with your modem. You can try resetting the modem to factory settings or try to do the tips on fixing bad WiFi coverage. To do so, log in to your modem's interface. The address is normally 192.168.0.254, however, it might be different for some modems. Once you're logged in, look for the WiFi settings and disable the wireless function. After that, change the WiFi channel to a lower number -- around Channel 11 or below. Save your changes and reboot your modem. After the reboot, enable the wireless function and connect your devices to the network. 

But if those tips can't improve your connection, it's best to call iiNet tech support. You can also consider upgrading your NBN plan. 

No Internet Connection

In case you have no Internet connection, check if you're the only one who's having problems or if there's a widespread outage. To do that, visit your Internet service provider's network status page using your phone to check if there's an outage advisory. There is also the option for you to call your provider to ask if there's an ongoing outage in your area. If there is, all you can do is wait it out until the issue has been resolved by your provider.

You can also check social media platforms to see updates from the official account or page of your ISP. If the problem only exists in your home network, then be sure to do the tips given above. Also, be sure to call iiNet tech support and ask them to inspect your Internet connection. It's advisable to do this in case you're on an FTTB or Fibre-to-the-Building NBN connection. 

FTTB is a type of NBN connection that relies on fibre cables. The ISP will run a fibre optic line to the fibre node in a building’s communications room, and then they will use the same process in the building to connect to each apartment.

Fibre cables are fragile. Even a little damage can hugely affect your Internet connection. That's why it's best to call iiNet tech support and ask them to inspect your home network. 

Repairing an FTTB connection might take a day or two. But if the damage to the fibre cables is severe, the downtime could last for a couple of weeks or months. In this case, it is better to ask for a temporary connection while waiting for your FTTB connection to be fixed. This will at least give you an Internet connection while you wait for the repairs to be completed. However, the temporary connection might not be as fast as your FTTB connection.

If the Internet outage is widespread, then you have no other option but to wait for the ISP to fix the problem. The downtime that you could expect will depend on the situation. If they are only doing regular maintenance, the outage might last for hours. But if there are problems with their systems or facilities, the Internet outage might last for days! If this is the case, it's advisable to start looking for another ISP that offers better services. 

There are many ISPs in Australia that offer reliable NBN plans. If you don't know which ISP to choose, you can check this article about the top 10 Internet service providers in Australia. 

Switching to a New ISP 

Switching to another ISP is easy. However, you could expect several fees for disconnecting your current NBN plan. Some ISPs charge cancellation fees, especially if you're on a contract. Cancellation fees can range from $50 to as high as $250. So, if you're planning on switching to another ISP, make sure to check for any cancellation fees first.

But before you cancel your existing NBN plan, look for a new ISP first. 

When choosing a new ISP, be sure to pick the one that fits your preferences. Let's assume that you want to have a fast Internet connection without spending too much. You should look for an ISP that lets you customise your plan. For example, they would allow you to pick the services you will only use. Having this option helps you save money because you won't be paying for the services that you don't actually need. 

In addition to this, you should also consider your budget when picking an ISP. Make sure to pick one that's affordable for you. The last thing you want is to end up with an expensive ISP that would make it hard for you to pay your monthly bills. As much as possible, you should look for an ISP that would give you the best value for your money.

After finding your preferred ISP, the next thing to do is arrange the installation process. The installation process might take a few hours, depending on the type of connection you have. For example, if you're getting an NBN connection, the installation process would usually take around four to six hours. 

However, if you're not comfortable with having someone in your home, there is the option for you to do it yourself. Most providers would give you the option to do a self-installation. However, it is important to note that not all providers offer this option. If you're planning on doing a self-installation, make sure to check with your provider first. This is to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that you don't run into any problems along the way.

Once installed, you can then cancel your previous NBN plan. 

If you want to have an NBN connection with less downtime or outages, contact Compare Broadband at 1300 106 571. We can arrange an affordable but fast NBN plan that will suit your needs. After a few minutes of discussion, we can have a provider install your new Internet connection as quickly as possible.