FAQ
TL;DR: 100% of your devices failing plus "Okay, the problem was with the provider" points upstream; after 1 external IP change, pages loaded again. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps home users whose browsers won’t load some pages and apps fail, to isolate ISP vs router vs DNS fast.
Quick Facts
- In this case, service returned only after the ISP intervened and the external IP changed. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
- Quick isolation: connect the antenna/CPE Ethernet directly to a PC to bypass your router. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18609672]
- Power-cycle the WISP radio/antenna for a few minutes to clear stuck states. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18611033]
- “ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT” means the site took too long to respond; check network, firewall, and DNS. “Fix connection errors in Chrome”
- If Windows Defender reports trojans, isolate and clean that device before more testing. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18610614]
Why do some websites and apps not load on all my devices?
When every device fails, suspect an upstream issue, not one PC. In this case, the ISP fixed it, and service returned. The user noted their external IP changed when it started working again. That pattern points to provider-side routing or IP assignment. If you see this, document timestamps and symptoms. Then contact your ISP. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
How do I check if it’s my router or the ISP?
Use this quick isolation test:
- Unplug your router. Connect the antenna/CPE Ethernet directly to your PC.
- Get an IP automatically, then try the same sites and apps.
- If failures persist, it’s upstream. Call your ISP.
“Connect the cable from the ‘antenna’ directly to the computer and check if it works.” [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18609672]
Will changing DNS servers fix this?
DNS changes help only when resolution is the cause. Here, DNS tweaks weren’t needed, because the ISP resolved the fault upstream. Service returned after the provider’s intervention and an external IP change. Run the direct-connect test first. If it still fails, involve your ISP instead of chasing DNS. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
What does “ERR_CONNECTION_TIMED_OUT” mean and what should I do?
It means the site did not respond in time. Check your internet connection, VPN, proxy, and firewall settings. Clear cache and cookies. Try another network to compare. If multiple devices fail, test by bypassing the router. If the error persists, contact your ISP with details. “Fix connection errors in Chrome”
Should I power‑cycle the WISP radio/antenna (the rooftop or window unit)?
Yes. Disconnect the radio’s power supply for a few minutes to clear faults. Then power it back on and retest. This step can restore connectivity when the CPE hangs. If issues persist across devices after this, run the direct-connection test and contact your ISP. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18611033]
My neighbor uses the same ISP and has no issues. Is that possible?
Yes. One subscriber can be affected while another is not. The thread reports a neighbor with the same supplier had no problems. Document your symptoms, run the direct-connect test, and escalate with timestamps and error messages. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18610599]
Windows Defender found trojans. Could malware be the reason?
It can break networking on that specific device. If Defender reports serious threats, isolate that machine, update Defender, and run a full scan. Remove detected items or consider a clean reinstall. Only resume network testing after cleaning, to avoid false leads. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18610614]
What does connecting the antenna cable directly to my PC tell me?
It bypasses your router and Wi‑Fi. If the same sites and apps still fail, the fault is outside your LAN. “Then the problem probably lies with the supplier.” Share the result with your ISP to speed diagnosis. [Elektroda, sosarek, post #18609712]
Why do pings work while web pages still fail?
Ping uses ICMP, which differs from web traffic over TCP and DNS lookups. ICMP replies do not guarantee that DNS, TLS, or HTTP traffic works. Firewalls or routing issues can allow ICMP yet break web sessions. Test DNS and HTTP separately to confirm. “What is ICMP?”
After the fix, my external IP changed. Is that normal?
Yes. ISPs can reassign your external IP during maintenance or fault resolution. In this case, connectivity returned after the change, indicating a provider-side adjustment. Record the change and time in your support ticket for reference. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
Do I need a new router (e.g., TP‑LINK WR841N) to fix this?
Not if the bypass test still fails. The user connected the antenna directly to a computer and saw the same problem. That means the router wasn’t the cause, so replacing it would not help. Focus on the ISP path instead. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18609699]
How should I talk to my ISP to get this fixed faster?
Share that the direct‑to‑PC test failed, include exact errors, and when they occur. Mention whether all devices are affected. Note any external IP change correlating with restoration. Ask them to check routing on your segment. This improved resolution here. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18611071]
How can I test with a faster public DNS?
Set your device or router DNS to 1.1.1.1 and retest affected sites. This checks for resolver issues without changing providers. 1.1.1.1 leads global resolver performance at an average near 13–14 ms. Revert if no change. This is a diagnostic, not a cure‑all. “DNSPerf Resolver Rankings”
Edge case: Only some apps fail while others work—what should I check?
Selective failures are real. The user reported Skype and several internet apps failing while some pages loaded. Run the direct‑connect test, then power‑cycle the radio. If the pattern persists across devices, escalate to your ISP with timestamps and errors. [Elektroda, xelektronikx, post #18609469]
