To fix Wi-Fi that keeps disconnecting, start with the simplest checks first, because the cause is often a weak signal, an overloaded router, or a software glitch, and not a broken device. Wi-Fi that drops out in the middle of a video call, a game, or a download is frustrating, and it can feel random, but it usually has a clear cause, and it can usually be fixed without buying new equipment. In this guide, we walk through the fixes in order, from the quickest to the most involved, so you can find the one that works for you.
Why Does Wi-Fi Keep Disconnecting?
Wi-Fi can keep disconnecting for many reasons, and it helps to know the most common ones before you start fixing it. The most common cause is a weak signal. If you are too far from your router, or if there are thick walls, floors, or metal objects between you and the router, the signal may be too weak to stay connected, and your device will drop off and reconnect again and again. Another common cause is interference. Other Wi-Fi networks, especially in flats and offices, can crowd the same channels, and household devices such as microwaves, baby monitors, and Bluetooth speakers can interfere with the 2.4 GHz band. A third cause is an overloaded router. If too many devices are connected, or if one device is downloading a large file, the router may struggle to keep up, and it may drop some connections. Software problems can also cause disconnections, including outdated drivers, a bug in your operating system, or a setting on your device that turns Wi-Fi off to save power. Finally, the problem may be with your internet provider, your modem, or the router itself, especially if the router is old, overheating, or running outdated firmware. The good news is that most of these causes are easy to check, and the fixes in this guide will help you work through them one by one.
Start With a Quick Restart
The first fix is the simplest, and it works more often than you might expect. Restart your router and your modem. Unplug them from the power, wait for thirty seconds, and plug them back in. Wait for a few minutes for them to start up fully, and then try connecting again. This clears the router’s memory, fixes temporary glitches, and forces it to choose a less crowded channel. While you wait, restart the device that keeps disconnecting as well, whether it is a laptop, a phone, or a tablet. A restart can fix a driver problem, clear a stuck connection, and make the device forget a bad network state. If the problem goes away after a restart but comes back later, it is a sign that the cause is something else, such as interference or an overloaded router, and you should continue with the fixes below. It is also worth checking whether the problem affects all your devices or just one. If all your devices disconnect at the same time, the problem is almost certainly with the router, the modem, or your internet connection. If only one device disconnects, the problem is more likely to be with that device, its drivers, or its settings, and you should focus on the fixes for that device.
Move Closer and Improve Your Signal
If your Wi-Fi disconnects when you move to a certain room, or when you are far from the router, the signal is probably too weak. Try moving closer to the router, and see whether the problem goes away. If it does, you need to improve the signal in the place where you usually work. The simplest fix is to move the router to a central, open position, high up and away from thick walls, metal objects, and other electronics. Do not put it in a cupboard, behind a television, or on the floor, because those places block the signal. If moving the router is not enough, consider a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh system, which can spread the signal to rooms that are far from the router. A mesh system is usually better than a single extender, because it creates one seamless network, and your device can move between nodes without disconnecting. You should also check which band you are using. The 2.4 GHz band travels further through walls, but it is slower and more crowded, while the 5 GHz band is faster but has a shorter range. If you are far from the router, try the 2.4 GHz band. If you are close to the router, try the 5 GHz band. To learn more about choosing the right equipment, read our guide on how to choose the right Wi-Fi router for your home, and our guide on how the internet works, which explains how your home network connects to the wider internet.
Check for Interference and Change Channels
Interference is a common cause of Wi-Fi disconnections, especially in flats and in areas with many networks. Your router uses a channel to send data, and if many nearby routers are using the same channel, they can interfere with each other. You can fix this by changing the channel your router uses. Log in to your router’s settings page, usually by typing its address into your browser, and look for the wireless settings. Choose a channel that is less crowded. On the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 are the only ones that do not overlap, so try one of those. On the 5 GHz band, there are more channels, and you can try a different one to see if it helps. Some routers can choose the best channel automatically, so make sure that setting is turned on. You should also look for sources of interference in your home. Microwaves, baby monitors, wireless cameras, and Bluetooth devices can all interfere with Wi-Fi, especially on the 2.4 GHz band. Try moving your router away from these devices, or try using the 5 GHz band, which is less affected by them. If you live in a flat, you may not be able to avoid interference completely, but changing channels and using the 5 GHz band where possible can make a big difference.
Update Drivers, Firmware, and Settings
Outdated software is another common cause of Wi-Fi problems. Start by updating your router’s firmware. Log in to your router’s settings page and check for an update, or check the manufacturer’s website for the latest firmware for your model. Firmware updates often fix bugs, improve performance, and close security holes, so it is worth doing this regularly. Next, update the Wi-Fi drivers on your device. On Windows, open Device Manager, find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click it, and choose Update driver. On a Mac, software updates usually include driver updates, so make sure your operating system is up to date. On a phone, check for a system update in the settings. You should also check your device’s power settings. On Windows, some laptops turn off the Wi-Fi adapter to save power, which can cause disconnections. To fix this, open Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, choose Properties, go to the Power Management tab, and uncheck the option that allows the computer to turn off the device to save power. On a phone, check that Wi-Fi is not set to turn off when the screen is off, and that you have not turned on a battery-saving mode that limits Wi-Fi. Finally, try forgetting the network on your device and reconnecting to it, because this can fix a corrupted network profile.
Reduce the Load on Your Router
If your Wi-Fi disconnects when many people are using it, or when someone is streaming video or downloading a large file, your router may be overloaded. A router can only handle a certain number of devices and a certain amount of data at once, and older routers struggle more than newer ones. To reduce the load, disconnect devices that you are not using, especially smart home devices that may be using Wi-Fi in the background. Check whether a device is downloading a large update or backing up files to the cloud, because that can use a lot of bandwidth and cause other devices to disconnect. You can also try using Quality of Service, or QoS, settings on your router, which let you prioritise certain kinds of traffic, such as video calls or gaming, over less important traffic, such as downloads. If your router is old, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model, especially if you have a fast broadband plan and many devices. A modern router, or a mesh system, can handle more devices and more data, and it is less likely to drop connections. If you are not sure whether your router is the problem, try connecting a device to your phone’s hotspot for a while, and see whether the problem goes away. If it does, the problem is with your home network, not with the device.
When to Contact Your Internet Provider
If none of the fixes above work, the problem may be with your internet connection itself, and you should contact your internet provider. Before you call, check whether the problem affects all your devices, and whether it happens at certain times of day, because that information will help the provider diagnose the problem. Check the lights on your modem and router, and note whether any of them are red or flashing in an unusual way. Try connecting a computer directly to the modem with an ethernet cable, and see whether the connection is stable. If it is stable over ethernet but not over Wi-Fi, the problem is with your Wi-Fi, not with your internet connection. If it is unstable over ethernet as well, the problem is with your modem, your line, or your provider’s network, and you should report it. Your provider can run a test on your line, check for outages in your area, and send a technician if needed. They may also be able to replace a faulty modem or router. If your provider says there is no problem, and your equipment is old, you may need to replace your router or modem yourself, because a faulty router can cause disconnections that look like a problem with your internet connection.
Conclusion
Wi-Fi that keeps disconnecting is usually caused by a weak signal, interference, an overloaded router, outdated software, or a problem with your internet connection. Start by restarting your router and your device, then move closer to the router, improve your signal, change your Wi-Fi channel, and update your drivers and firmware. Reduce the load on your router, and check your power settings. If none of these fixes work, try a wired connection to see whether the problem is with Wi-Fi or with your internet, and contact your provider if needed. In most cases, one of these steps will fix the problem, and your Wi-Fi will stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting on my laptop?
The most common causes are a weak signal, outdated drivers, or a power setting that turns Wi-Fi off to save battery. Try moving closer to the router, updating your drivers, and turning off the power-saving setting for your Wi-Fi adapter.
Why does my Wi-Fi disconnect when I use the microwave?
Microwaves can interfere with the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band, because they use a similar frequency. Try using the 5 GHz band, move your router away from the microwave, or move your device closer to the router.
Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi?
Use 2.4 GHz if you are far from the router or behind thick walls, because it travels further. Use 5 GHz if you are close to the router and want faster speeds, because it is less crowded and less affected by interference.
How do I know if my router is too old?
If your router is more than five years old, if it only supports Wi-Fi 4 or Wi-Fi 5, if it cannot handle all your devices, or if it drops connections regularly even after a restart, it may be time to upgrade to a newer model.
Can my internet provider fix my Wi-Fi?
Your provider can fix problems with your line, your modem, and their network, and they can replace faulty equipment they supplied. They cannot fix problems with your own router, your device settings, or interference in your home, although they may be able to give you advice.