Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Wireless interference from other electronics
• Being too far from the router, or a weak signal
• Walls, floors, furniture and other obstacles
• Nearby Wi-Fi networks using the same channel
• A crowded 2.4 GHz band
• Power saving for the Wi-Fi adapter on Windows
• Router settings that reduce reliability, like older security modes
• Pixel settings that move you to mobile data or turn Wi-Fi off

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the checks around your device and router, then change router and device settings, and use your connection for a while after each step to see if it still drops.

1. 1

   Step 1: Move closer and away from interference

   Wireless interference can make Wi-Fi devices disconnect, so give your device a stronger, cleaner signal.

   Apple says wireless interference can cause Wi-Fi devices to disconnect or perform poorly, and Google’s Nest help lists a device that repeatedly disconnects and reconnects to Wi-Fi as a sign of interference. Start by bringing your device closer to your Wi-Fi router, but not right next to it.

   Avoid using your wireless devices near common sources of interference, such as power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, wireless video cameras and cordless phones. Google adds Bluetooth devices, baby monitors and security systems. A microwave oven can cause a slowdown or a disconnect only while it’s running, and some larger electronics, such as TVs, can affect Wi-Fi even when they’re asleep or turned off.

   To find the device causing trouble, try turning off or unplugging your electronics one at a time and check your connection after each one.

   If you use USB 3 or Thunderbolt 3 devices with your computer, use a high-quality, shielded cable with each one, and move them, including any USB hubs, farther away from your wireless devices.

   Good to know

   Microsoft notes that if the signal isn’t strong enough, you won’t be able to connect reliably no matter which channel your router uses.

2. 2

   Step 2: Clear the path between your device and the router

   Walls, floors, furniture and appliances can weaken or block the signal.

   Avoid physical obstructions in the path of your wireless signal. Dense materials like concrete, brick and metal can make it difficult to connect, and a metal-reinforced concrete floor between your router and device can cause poor Wi-Fi performance. Large furniture such as filing cabinets or bookshelves, appliances like stoves or refrigerators, and mirrors can also interfere with or block the signal.

   If you can, move the router to reduce the number of walls and other obstacles between it and your device. Move it toward the middle of your home or room, and higher if possible. Placing it in a corner or under a desk can reduce the signal.

   Good to know

   If you can’t move closer or move the router, Microsoft suggests a network extender, which re-broadcasts your router’s signal from another room. Google suggests an extender from the same manufacturer for best compatibility, and powerline adapters for larger homes with thick or dense walls and floors.

3. 3

   Step 3: Move your devices to the 5 GHz band

   The 2.4 GHz band is shared with Bluetooth and household devices, so it’s more congested.

   Both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices use the 2.4 GHz band, but many Wi-Fi devices can use the 5 GHz band instead. If your router supports both bands, Apple says it might help to connect more of your Wi-Fi devices to 5 GHz.

   Microsoft notes that 2.4 GHz is more congested because household devices, like microwaves and cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices use it. The 5 GHz band has a shorter range and doesn’t go through walls and other obstacles as well, while 2.4 GHz has a longer range and is better at going through obstacles like walls.

4. 4

   Step 4: Change the router’s Wi-Fi channel

   Nearby networks on the same channel compete with yours, and Microsoft’s steps for a dropping connection include changing the channel.

   When nearby Wi-Fi networks use the same channel, they constantly compete with each other for limited bandwidth. This is especially common in cities, apartment buildings and densely populated areas. To check, open the wireless options on your phone or computer and wait a moment for the list of networks to refresh. If there are lots of networks to choose from, you may have this type of interference.

   Sign in to your router’s admin page or app, as described in its manual, and change the wireless channel to reduce interference, or have the router scan for the channel with the least interference. Apple notes that most routers perform this scan automatically on startup or when reset.

   Google’s Nest help suggests turning on channel auto-switching if your router has it. If auto-switching is already on and your connection is still poor, you can try setting the channel manually and running speed tests to find the fastest one.

   If you have more than one router, set each one to a different channel, especially if they’re close together.

   Good to know

   Before changing router settings, back up the router’s existing settings in case you need to restore them.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check the router’s reliability settings

   If you manage your own router, a few settings affect how reliably devices stay connected.

   For the 2.4 GHz band, Apple and Microsoft both suggest a channel width of 20 MHz. Apple says it helps avoid performance and reliability issues, especially near other Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devices. Microsoft says to try it if the connection isn’t reliable even though the signal is strong and the channel is clear.

   Avoid older, deprecated security settings, since they reduce network reliability and performance. Apple recommends WPA3 Personal, or WPA2/WPA3 Transitional for compatibility with older devices. Microsoft adds that with WPA+WPA2, some older Wi-Fi adapters can’t reliably fall back from WPA2 to WPA, so they sometimes won’t connect.

   Keep WMM turned on, since disabling it can affect the performance and reliability of devices on the network. Give your network a unique name rather than a common or default one, so devices are less likely to find other networks with the same name and try to connect to them.

   Set your router to install firmware updates automatically, if possible. Updates bring improvements to its stability, performance and security.

   Good to know

   After changing router settings, you might need to forget the network on each device that joined it before. The device then uses the router’s new settings when it rejoins.

6. 6

   Step 6: Turn off power saving for Wi-Fi on Windows

   Microsoft’s steps for a Wi-Fi connection that drops frequently include the adapter’s power settings.

   Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties, go to the Power Management tab, then uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

   Then open Control Panel, select Hardware and Sound, then Power Options. Select your plan and click Change plan settings, then click Change advanced power settings and expand Wireless Adapter Settings. Set Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance.

7. 7

   Step 7: Check iPhone and Pixel settings that affect Wi-Fi

   Some phone settings affect how your phone uses Wi-Fi, and some Pixel phones turn Wi-Fi off for the hotspot.

   On iPhone, Apple recommends keeping Location Services on for Wi-Fi networking. It helps your device reliably see and connect to nearby devices and perform well on Wi-Fi. Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services, and turn on Location Services. Scroll to the bottom, tap System Services and turn on Networking & Wireless (or Wi-Fi Networking).

   Apple’s iPhone Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps also say to make sure Connectivity Assist is off. In Settings, tap Wi-Fi, make sure Wi-Fi is on, then scroll down to find Connectivity Assist. It uses cellular data to improve your connection when Wi-Fi is slow or unusable.

   On a Pixel phone, Auto-switch to mobile network moves your phone from Wi-Fi to mobile data when there’s no internet connection over Wi-Fi or the Wi-Fi connection to the router is weak. It can mean more mobile data use. To find it, open Settings and tap Network & internet, then Adaptive connectivity.

   Some Pixel phones, such as the Pixel 7a, don’t support the hotspot and Wi-Fi at the same time, so Wi-Fi turns off when you turn on the hotspot. When no devices are connected to the hotspot for 10 minutes, it turns off, and Wi-Fi turns back on and tries to connect to the last known network.

Frequently Asked Questions

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