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[ REPAIR GUIDE ] WI-FI AND INTERNET

Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting?

UPDATED NOVEMBER 20263 MIN READ9 FIXES

QUICK FIX

Restart your modem and router and move closer to the router to test. If only one device keeps dropping, forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network on it and update its software; on Windows 11, also stop it from turning off the Wi-Fi adapter to save power.

What it means

Wi-Fi that keeps dropping is usually caused by a weak signal at the edge of the router's range, a router or modem that needs a restart or update, or a device setting such as power saving that turns Wi-Fi off. If every device drops at the same time, look at the router and internet service; if only one device drops, look at that device.

Common causes

  • Weak signal because the device is far from the router or behind thick walls
  • The router or modem needs a restart or a firmware update
  • Power-saving settings turning off the Wi-Fi adapter (common on laptops)
  • A bad saved network profile or out-of-date network driver
  • Interference from other wireless devices or crowded Wi-Fi channels
  • A VPN or security app interrupting the connection
  • An internet service problem that drops all devices at once

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

FIX 01Find out if all devices drop or just oneEASY

  1. Notice whether phones, laptops and TVs all lose the internet at the same moment.
  2. If they all drop together, focus on the router, modem and internet service.
  3. If only one device drops, focus on that device's settings and software.
  4. Also check whether it happens only in one room; if so, it is likely a weak signal.

Why it helps: Knowing the pattern saves you from fixing the wrong thing.

FIX 02Restart the modem and routerEASY

  1. Unplug the router, then the modem.
  2. Wait about 30 seconds.
  3. Plug the modem in first and wait for its lights to settle.
  4. Plug the router in and wait a few minutes before reconnecting.

Why it helps: A restart clears temporary router glitches that cause repeated drops.

FIX 03Improve the signal where you use Wi-FiEASY

  1. Move closer to the router and see whether the drops stop.
  2. Move the router to a central, raised, open spot away from cabinets, metal and appliances.
  3. Keep cordless phone bases, baby monitors and microwaves away from the router.
  4. For far rooms, consider mesh Wi-Fi or an extender.

Why it helps: Devices at the edge of the router's range lose and regain the signal over and over.

FIX 04Forget and rejoin the networkEASY

  1. Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network, choose Forget, then reconnect.
  2. iPhone: Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to your network, tap Forget This Network, then join again.
  3. Android (Pixel): Settings > Network & internet > Internet > Saved networks, tap the network, choose Forget, then reconnect.
  4. Mac: System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details next to your network, choose Forget This Network, then rejoin.
  5. Remove old saved networks you no longer use, especially ones with similar names.

Why it helps: A fresh network profile fixes saved settings that cause repeated disconnects.

FIX 05Stop Windows 11 turning off Wi-Fi to save powerMEDIUM

  1. Select Search, type Device Manager and open it.
  2. Expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties.
  3. On the Power Management tab, clear Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power, then select OK.
  4. Restart the PC.
  5. If the Power Management tab is not shown, your adapter does not offer this option; skip this fix.

Why it helps: Windows can switch off the Wi-Fi adapter to save battery, which looks like random disconnects.

FIX 06Check phone settings that switch networksMEDIUM

  1. iPhone: in Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the info button next to your network and make sure Auto-Join is on. If the router limits devices by address, try changing Private Wi-Fi Address and rejoin.
  2. Turn off any VPN or security app temporarily to see whether the drops stop, then turn it back on.
  3. Android: turn off battery saver for a while to see whether the drops stop, then restart the phone.
  4. Mac: in System Settings > Wi-Fi, click Details next to your network and make sure Automatically join this network is on.

Why it helps: Some privacy, VPN and battery settings can make a device leave or rejoin Wi-Fi.

FIX 07Update your device and routerMEDIUM

  1. Windows 11: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, including any optional driver updates offered.
  2. iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update. Mac: System Settings > General > Software Update.
  3. Android: Settings > System > Software updates, or your phone maker's update menu.
  4. Router: install any firmware update from its app or admin page.

Why it helps: Updated drivers and firmware fix many known Wi-Fi dropout bugs.

FIX 08Reinstall the Wi-Fi driver on Windows 11ADVANCED

  1. Before you start, download the latest Wi-Fi driver for your model from your PC maker's website and save it, in case Windows does not reinstall it.
  2. Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select Uninstall.
  4. Select Start > Power > Restart. Windows should reinstall the driver automatically.
  5. If Wi-Fi does not come back, install the driver you saved.

Why it helps: A damaged or buggy driver is a common reason for dropouts on one PC.

FIX 09Reset network settings on the deviceADVANCED

  1. Warning: this removes all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, and VPN settings.
  2. Windows 11: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset > Reset now.
  3. iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
  4. Android (Pixel): Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Bluetooth & Wi-Fi. Samsung: Settings > General management > Reset > Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings (called Reset network settings on older Galaxy phones).
  5. Reconnect to your Wi-Fi.

Why it helps: A full network reset clears settings problems that simpler fixes miss.

Check it's fixed

  • The device stays connected for several hours of normal use.
  • Video calls and streams no longer freeze or drop.
  • The Wi-Fi icon stays steady instead of disconnecting and reconnecting.

When to get help

If every device drops at the same time even after restarting the modem and router, contact your internet provider, since the line or modem may be faulty. If one device drops on every network you try, contact the device maker or a repair shop.

Questions

Why does my Wi-Fi disconnect every few minutes?

Common reasons are a weak signal, a router that needs a restart, or power-saving settings on the device. Test close to the router to rule out signal first.

Why does my laptop keep disconnecting but my phone doesn't?

The problem is likely the laptop's Wi-Fi driver or power settings. Update Windows, turn off adapter power saving and reinstall the Wi-Fi driver.

Can an old router cause Wi-Fi to keep dropping?

Yes. Very old routers or ones without current firmware can struggle with many modern devices. Update the firmware or consider replacing it.

Related fixes

How to fix a weak Wi-Fi signalMove the router to a central, open, raised spot away from walls, cabinets and appliances, then restart it. If some rooms are still weak, addWi-Fi connected but no internet: how to fix itCheck whether other devices also have no internet. If they do, restart the modem and router and check for a provider outage; if only one devHow to reset your router (restart or factory reset)Unplug the router and the modem from power, wait about 30 seconds, plug the modem back in first and wait for its lights to settle, then plugWhy is my internet not working?Check whether other devices are also offline. If they are, restart your modem and router and check your provider for an outage; if only one Why is my internet so slow?Restart your modem and router, then run a speed test close to the router. If it is fast there but slow elsewhere, it is a Wi-Fi coverage pro

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