What troubleshooting step is effective for intermittent network connectivity?

The most effective troubleshooting step for intermittent network connectivity is checking physical connections and network settings. Intermittent connectivity issues can often arise from loose cables, improperly configured network settings, or faulty networking hardware. By inspecting and ensuring all physical connections are secure, including Ethernet cables and network interface card connections, one can quickly rule out hardware problems.

Additionally, verifying network settings, such as IP addresses, subnet masks, and gateway configurations, is essential, as incorrect settings can lead to instability in network connections. It’s a fundamental step that addresses the core issues that can cause connectivity problems.

Other options, while potentially helpful in specific scenarios, do not directly address the common causes of intermittent connectivity. Restarting the firewall might resolve some issues but wouldn't address them if the cause is physical or configuration-related. Reinstalling the operating system is a time-consuming process that is typically not necessary for this type of problem and may not affect hardware-level issues. Upgrading software applications can sometimes enhance compatibility or performance but does not generally impact unstable physical connections or network configurations.