Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting: causes and fixes

A connection that works, drops, and returns again is more frustrating than one that is simply slow. Video calls freeze, downloads restart and pages stall. The cause could be your device, your router, interference or your provider, and the fix depends on which. This guide helps you narrow it down, then work through the likely remedies in a sensible order.

First, work out how widespread it is

• Only one device drops. The problem is likely with that device: its Wi-Fi adapter, its settings, or its software.
• Every device drops at the same moments. The router, the wiring or the internet service is more likely.
• Wi-Fi drops but a cable stays steady. That points to wireless problems such as distance, interference or a failing router radio, not your provider.
• Even a cable drops. The router, modem or provider is the suspect. See is it my Wi-Fi, router or ISP?

Fixes to try, quick ones first

1. Restart the router. Switch it off at the power for thirty seconds, then on again. Routers run for months and slowly accumulate faults, and a restart clears a surprising number of them.
2. Move closer, or move the router. Walls, floors, mirrors, fish tanks and large metal objects weaken the signal. A router in a cupboard or on the floor performs worse than one that is raised and in the open, near the middle of the home.
3. Change the Wi-Fi channel or band. In crowded buildings, neighbouring networks interfere. The 5 GHz band is faster and less crowded but has shorter range; 2.4 GHz reaches further but is easily disturbed by microwaves, baby monitors and Bluetooth devices. Try switching, or set the channel manually in the router settings rather than leaving it on automatic.
4. Update the router’s firmware and your device’s network drivers. Many drop-out bugs are fixed in updates.
5. Forget the network and rejoin. On your device, remove the saved network and connect again with the password. This clears a corrupted saved profile.
6. Turn off power saving for the Wi-Fi adapter. On some laptops, the setting that lets Windows switch the adapter off to save power causes repeated drops. It is found in the adapter’s properties in Device Manager.
7. Check for too many devices. Dozens of connected gadgets, especially older ones, can overload a basic router. Disconnect devices you do not use, or upgrade to a router that handles more.
8. Check cables and filters. A loose or damaged cable between the wall and the router, or a missing or faulty filter on a broadband phone line, can cause regular drops that look like a wireless problem.
9. Try another DNS server. If pages fail to load while the Wi-Fi symbol still shows connected, the problem may be name lookups, not the connection. See how to change your DNS server.

Signs it is your internet provider

If the router’s own status lights show that the internet connection is lost, if the problem happens at the same time of day, or if neighbours report the same, the fault is outside your home. Note the times and run a test while it is happening. A steady ping to a reliable address that shows lost replies is useful evidence: see latency, packet loss and jitter explained. You can also try our internet speed test, and use our outage map to see whether problems are widespread. Contact your provider with the times and your findings, and ask them to test the line.

Is it the website, not your Wi-Fi?

If only one site or app seems to fail while everything else works, your Wi-Fi is fine. Paste the address into the website checker to see whether it is down for everyone, and read why is my internet slow for slowness that comes and goes.

When to replace the router

A router more than five or six years old, one that overheats, or one that needs restarting every few days is a good candidate for replacement. Many providers will send a new one on request. If your home is large or has thick walls, a mesh system or a wired access point in the far end of the house often fixes drops more reliably than a stronger single router.

Related guides

• Is it my Wi-Fi, my router or my internet provider?
• Why is my internet slow? A step-by-step way to find out
• Latency, packet loss and jitter explained

Last updated 2 November 2026. Written by the siteupdown.com team. Spotted a mistake?

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