When the power comes back, the internet doesn’t always come back with it. Devices that start in the wrong order, or that were running on a flat battery, can leave the office offline. This article shows the right order and the checks to run. Our blog post about protecting your office with a UPS explains how to stop this happening in the first place.
Before you start
- If the power is flickering on and off, wait. Switching things on and off repeatedly can damage equipment.
- If you have a UPS (a battery box that your equipment plugs into), check that it’s on and not beeping. A steady beep means it’s low or faulty.
Switch things on in this order
Wait until each step’s lights have settled before moving to the next.
- The fibre or internet box from your provider. Give it 3 to 5 minutes to find the line. A steady light usually means it’s connected.
- The router or firewall. Wait about 2 minutes for it to start.
- Network switches and Wi-Fi units. Wait about 2 minutes. Wi-Fi units usually show a steady light when they’re ready.
- The office server, if you have one. Servers can take 10 minutes or more to start. Don’t switch it off again while it’s busy.
- Computers, printers and phones. Last of all.
If your equipment came back on by itself when the power returned, you may only need to check the lights and restart what didn’t recover.
Quick checks
- Open any website on a computer that’s plugged in by cable.
- If that works, check the Wi-Fi on your phone.
- Check that your phone system and any card machines are connected.
- Open a shared file or program you use, to check the server is back.
What to tell us if something is still down
- which lights are on or off on the internet box (a photo helps)
- what you’ve already switched on, in what order
- whether it’s the internet, the Wi-Fi, the server or the phones
- how long the power was out
If it doesn’t work
- The internet box has a red light or no lights. Check that its power plug is in. If the lights are still off or red after 10 minutes, call us. It may need your provider.
- Wi-Fi is on but there’s no internet. Restart the router or firewall, and wait five minutes. If it’s still down, tell us.
- Something smells burnt, or a device is hot or won’t turn on. Switch it off, unplug it and tell us. Don’t try it again.