Whether you rely on your Internet connection for work or nurse an addiction to social media, Internet outages can be frustrating. They usually only last for a couple hours, but here are 6 ways to deal with your disconnection in the meantime.
1. Get Out of the House
When you lose your access to the Internet, you won't fix the problem by staring at your computer screen, waiting for the little icon on your dashboard to show a spark of life. Pass the time by:
- Taking a walk around the block
- Visiting a friend for the afternoon
- Grabbing lunch or a cup of coffee at a favorite restaurant
- Spending time with family
You might actually enjoy the opportunity to unplug for a few minutes. When you return to your computer (with the Internet restored), you'll feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever project you abandoned when the outage occurred.
2. Grab Your Phone
These days, you don't have to rely on your computer for Internet access. If you have a smartphone, you might be able to get online even without your home's Internet connection, though the browser might not operate as quickly.
Use your phone to:
- Track the outage in your area
- Contact your Internet service provider to inquire about the duration of the outage
- Complete the task you were doing on your computer
Your phone might also help you research a problem with the Internet connection on your end. If your ISP doesn't show a widespread issue, the problem could be more localized with your system.
3. Tether Your Phone
If you need your computer during an Internet outage, consider tethering your phone to your computer for temporary access. Essentially, tethering involves substituting your phone for your modem so you can surf the web from your PC.
Keep in mind, however, that you'll have to pay data charges if your phone doesn't come with an unlimited plan. Use this strategy only for short projects, such as putting the finishing touches on your work or answering a social media post.
4. Call a Friend
In Internet-related emergencies, your friends are your most valuable resource. Call a friend to ask if you can borrow his or her Internet connection until yours is back up and running again, especially if you're on a deadline or otherwise pressed for time.
To prevent disappointment, ask your friend to verify that his or her Internet connection is active. Sometimes, widespread outages affect every user in a city, town, or neighborhood, so verify this information before you jump in your car.
5. Visit a Business
When you can't reach a friend, take your tablet or laptop to a local business that offers free Wi-Fi service. A few options in your town might include:
- Coffee shops and diners
- Fast food restaurants
- Public libraries and museums
If you need the Internet for work, this method of coping with the outage might actually benefit you. A change of scenery could inspire you more effectively than the familiar confines of your home office.
6. Work Offline
Another option is to work offline until your Internet connection is restored. You might be able to access your e-mail, browser history, and other information without actually connecting to the Internet.
To avoid this problem in the future, consider saving the web sites you visit most often so you can view them offline. This will prevent inconvenient disruptions in your work schedule if the Internet goes out again.
If your Internet service provider suffers from frequent outages, it might be time to switch. Turn to a reliable ISP that offers convenient cable and Internet bundles, like USA Communications, so you'll save money as well as enjoy consistent service
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