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When internet is broken

If nothing loads — no Google, no Jellyfin, no email — work through these steps in order. Stop when something fixes it.

Step 1 — Is it just one device?

  1. Try the same website on a second device (phone on Wi‑Fi, or the Windows PC).
  2. If only one device fails, the problem is that device — not the house internet.

Fix for one device:

  1. Turn Wi‑Fi off and on on the phone, or restart the PC.
  2. "Forget" the Wi‑Fi network and re-join using the password from Vaultwarden — UniFi Wi‑Fi basics.

If every device fails, continue to Step 2.

Step 2 — Check the UniFi router (UDM SE)

  1. Find the Dream Machine SE near the NBN connection.
  2. Confirm power is plugged in and the unit is on.
  3. Look at the lights:
  4. Solid or normal blinking = often OK
  5. All dark or only red = problem
  6. If it was unplugged, plug it in and wait 5 minutes, then test again.

Optional: If you have UniFi admin access (password in Vaultwarden), open the UniFi app or web UI and check whether the internet (WAN) line shows connected.

More: UniFi (technical).

  1. Find the NBN box (or modem) — usually near the router.
  2. Confirm power and that status lights look normal (not all off).
  3. Check for an outage:
  4. Log into your ISP account on a phone using mobile data (not home Wi‑Fi), or
  5. Call the ISP support line from your phone bill / Vaultwarden.

If the ISP reports an area outage, wait — homelab fixes will not help until NBN is back.

Step 4 — Power cycle (last resort before calling for help)

Do this in order:

  1. Shut down the Windows PC properly (Start → Shut down).
  2. Leave the NAS running if possible — only power-cycle if instructed.
  3. Unplug the Dream Machine SE power for 30 seconds, plug back in.
  4. Wait 5 full minutes for Wi‑Fi to return.
  5. Reconnect phone/PC to Wi‑Fi and test google.com.

Step 5 — Homelab vs real internet

Test Result Meaning
google.com works, stream.saxobroko.com fails Internet OK, homelab issue When media won't play or Restart cloudflared
Nothing works on Wi‑Fi Internet or router issue Steps above
google.com works on Wi‑Fi but not on mobile data abroad May be normal for some sites Many homelab URLs are Australia-only outside the house

Troubleshooting checklist

  • Tested on more than one device
  • Router powered on 5+ minutes
  • NBN box has power
  • Checked ISP outage (via mobile data)
  • Power-cycled router once
  • Rejoined Wi‑Fi with password from Vaultwarden

When to ask for technical help

Ask someone comfortable with Server docs if:

  • Internet works but all *.saxobroko.com sites fail at home
  • Router lights look wrong after power cycle
  • Problem started right after changing router settings