Possibly, yes! First, before you spend any time with this, some possibilities to consider are whether your loss of internet could be due to a recent weather event, power outage, ongoing construction in the neighborhood, or maybe the lawn guy just trimmed your hedges too close and cut the line. Has something accidentally come unplugged? These are the most common reasons for sudden internet outages, and in most cases the service provider is already aware of the outage and will have it fixed by end of day. It never hurts to call and ask, just have your account information ready because they are going to ask all of the questions… You could also consult one of many websites that track internet service outages like Downdetector.

PRO TIP: If you have to make an appointment with a service provider for repair, always ask for the first appointment of the day. Half the time technicians find themselves bogged down with their morning appointments and never make it to their afternoon appointment leaving you waiting for the entire service window without any results. We suggest you dial down your expectations regardless.

Maybe, let’s try! The first troubleshooting step for any electronic device is to always unplug it from power for a full minute. Believe it or not, the full minute can make a difference as this will allow the device to completely power down. The device should not reset or lose any of its settings, it will simply recalibrate itself when it restarts, sort of like when you wake up from a good nap. Avoid pushing any other buttons on the device during this time as it’s possible you could factory reset it and this will purge any customized settings that have been programmed into your system. If the power cycle does not work the next step would be to observe any lights on the device and note any unusual behavior. If you suspect a device to be frozen or defective, perform a Google search with the model number of the device with keywords about the issue you are experiencing. It’s likely that others have had the same experience and have documented this online in chat forums.

PRO TIP: Occasionally our techs have to do the same thing! The internet is a beautiful place.

No, but you probably should. At minimum, for your own sanity, so they go away. Manufacturers typically release updates to fix underlying issues, improve performance or appearance, and fix security vulnerabilities. When you have a minute to spare, go ahead and update. We know the struggle is real and we often experience forced updates at inconvenient times when we are trying to work on systems. 

PRO TIP: It’s times like these when we have to put the controller down and go for a walk.

Try uninstalling the app, resetting the device, then reinstalling the app. Occasionally apps become outdated and require users to download a new version, apply an update, or even enter the username and password again. Be sure to have your account credentials handy because you will likely have to login again.

PRO TIP: Always keep your own usernames and passwords. Generally we do not keep our client’s credentials on file for security reasons.

TV sizes are measured diagonally. When custom fitting a TV within the confines of a recessed built-in or drywall pocket it’s important to note the actual width, height and depth of the TV itself plus the depth of the mounting bracket that is intended for use. We want to allow at least a half inch of space around the perimeter of the TV for future maintenance and install. Lately the minimum size TV for an average size bedroom is 55”. For common areas we would suggest 65” – 75” TVs. And for extra large spaces or Media Rooms we would suggest an 85” TV or larger.

Our answer is “always!”. Electronics models typically roll over in late Spring and early Summer after they are showcased at CEDIA or CES. You will find new model numbers, and improved specs around that time. Other good times to buy are the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, Amazon Prime Days, and Black Friday. Occasionally big box stores will advertise flash sales around national holidays. Because we source electronics locally through wholesale distribution channels, we are able to match sale prices advertised by large retailers. Just let us know which model you are interested in and we will even deliver free of charge within our service area!

Generally yes. Most internet service providers already have their own basic firewall in place, built into the modem, router or gateway that they provide. In addition to that, the network hardware we install, whether it’s Eero, Ubiquiti, Netgear, Pakedge or Araknis also have integrated firewalls. Typically network vulnerabilities originate from a device inside the network that has already been compromised, which is rare. In order for that to happen, a user on the network would have to unknowingly click on a malicious link or open an email attachment with an embedded virus. Otherwise, the reality is that foreign “hackers” really aren’t interested in playlists or shopping history.

Best practices for security and prevention are to always look at the actual email address that a message came from by double clicking on the sender, even if it looks familiar. Always think twice before clicking on a link in an email or opening an attachment. Delete all emails from senders you do not recognize. Only browse trustworthy websites. Keep your systems updated. If you suspect your network has been compromised, please do not hesitate to call us. If you suspect your computer has been compromised its best to reach out to your computer support professional as we discontinued our computer support services in 2023. Sorry about that.