Trying to figure out why Slack is not connecting to the internet?
Slack is no stranger to unexpected downtimes and errors. They even started 2021 with an outage, and many users worldwide got affected. As companies switch to remote work, the need for platforms such as Slack also increased.
With more than 10 million users every day, it is no surprise that Slack’s servers go down occasionally.
Although Slack’s team is doing their best to keep their services running, downtimes are not acceptable, especially for businesses and team managers that rely on the service.
If you are reading this, it’s safe to assume that Slack is not connecting to the internet on your computer.
Based on what we know, this issue is often caused by a problem with Slack’s servers. However, it’s also possible that your network is running slow, your computer’s settings are not set correctly, or you’re using an outdated version of the app.
Today, we will show you the best solutions for fixing Slack if it’s not connecting to the internet.
Let’s get started!
1. Check Slack Servers.
When Slack is not working, the first thing that you should do is check the platform’s status. Fortunately, Slack has a dedicated status page where you can view the availability of its services.
If Slack is currently down, there’s nothing you can do on your end to address the problem. With this, we suggest that you just let their team handle the situation and proceed with other tasks that don’t require Slack.
On the other hand, you can follow the remaining methods below to solve the issue on your end if there’s nothing wrong with Slack.
2. Restart Your Device.
Before adjusting your system or network settings, the first thing you should do is restart your device. This way, you can ensure that there are no problems with your system and all of its resources are properly loaded.
For Windows users, see the steps below to restart your system:
- First, click on the Windows icon on your Taskbar to access the Start Menu.
- Next, go to the Power tab.
- Lastly, click on Restart to reboot your computer.
If you are on a macOS computer, you can restart it by doing the following:
- On your Mac, click on the Apple logo at the top left corner of your display.
- After that, choose the Restart option.
- Finally, click the Restart button on the pop-up box to confirm your action.
On Android devices, follow the steps below to restart it:
- Find the Power button on your Android device.
- Now, press and hold the Power button to access the options menu.
- Lastly, tap the Restart button to reboot your system.
If you are using an iOS device, check out the guide below to restart it:
- On your iOS device, tap on the Assistive Touch and go to the Device tab.
- After that, tap on More.
- Finally, select the Restart option to reboot your device.
After restarting your device, go back to Slack and see if it’s now connecting to the internet.
3. Check Your Network Connection.
Unstable network connections could also be the reason why Slack is not connecting to the internet. Since Slack is an online platform, it requires stable internet to function correctly on your device.
To check if your network is the problem, visit Fast.com and run a speed test to measure your network’s current upload and download bandwidth.
If the test indicates that your connection is unstable or slow, reboot your modem or router to re-establish the link between your ISP’s servers and your router. Unplug your router from the wall outlet and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
Once done, run another test to check if the problem is solved. Contact your service provider if your internet connection continues to run slow and ask them to fix the issue.
4. Disable Your Proxy Server (Windows).
A Proxy Server provides a gateway between users and the internet. If your Proxy Server is not working or not set correctly, it could cause issues to your device and the applications you want to access.
If Slack is not connecting to the internet, try disabling your Proxy Server and see if the problem goes away.
Here’s how you can disable your Proxy Server:
- First, press the Windows + S keys on your keyboard and search for ‘Internet Options’.
- After that, click on Open to access Internet Options.
- Now, go to the Connections tab and click on LAN Settings.
- Lastly, ensure that the ‘Use a Proxy Server’ option is disabled and ‘Automatically Detect Settings’ is enabled.
After turning off your Proxy Server, go back to Slack to check if the problem is solved.
If you are running a Proxy Server at the router level, please contact your network administrator or ISP and ask them to turn it off or adjust the configuration for Slack.
5. Turn Off VPN.
Virtual private networks could also be the reason why Slack is not connecting to the internet. VPNs make changes to your IP address to keep your location and identity private. They also filter your data to protect sensitive information online.
Unfortunately, this process can introduce delays to your connection, which causes applications such as Slack not to work.
If you are using any VPN, turn them off before accessing Slack to avoid issues.
On the other hand, you can switch to a reputable VPN provider such as PureVPN if you keep encountering issues with your current service. PureVPN uses various security protocols for maximum compatibility with applications and has thousands of high-speed servers worldwide.
6. Clear Slack App Data and Cache.
Like any application, Slack uses temporary data called caches to improve its overall performance. However, Slack’s caches and data could accumulate over time and become corrupted.
When this happens, the app may not function as it should, and errors could occur.
To fix this, see the steps below to clear Slack’s cache and data:
- On your computer, launch the Slack app and access the Menu tab.
- After that, point the cursor to the Help tab and click on Troubleshooting.
- Finally, select the Clear Cache and Restart option.
Once done, try using Slack again to see if the problem is solved.
If Slack is still not connecting to the internet, go back to Menu > Help > Troubleshooting and choose Reset App Data.
7. Disable Third-Party Antivirus.
Third-party antivirus is excellent for keeping malicious files and malware from entering your system. However, they can get too protective and flag down legitimate applications and restrict their access to your system.
If you are using any third-party antivirus, try disabling it before accessing Slack.
On the other hand, you can check if your antivirus has an exception list feature. You can add Slack to the whitelist to prevent your antivirus from restricting its access.
Once done, go back to Slack to check if it is now connecting to the internet.
8. Report the Problem to Slack.
If you’re still experiencing issues with Slack, we suggest that you ask the help of their team.
Visit Slack’s Help Center and get in touch with their customer support to report the problem with their application. You can also browse the other guides from their page and see if you can find any viable solution for your situation.
This ends our guide for fixing Slack if it’s not connecting to the internet. For your questions and other concerns, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to answer them.
If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂
