3 min readWhy does your internet network keep disconnecting? And how can you fix it so you can finish your work assignment or watch another episode on Roku?
Let’s talk about five reasons your internet might keep disconnecting and some online tech tips to fix the issues.
Our guide to potential internet connection problems:
First reason your internet might keep disconnecting and reconnecting? Your Wi-Fi signal isn’t up to snuff.
There are a few reasons why this could happen. When you notice a connection issue, check downdetector ASAP. This website checks if your service provider is experiencing an internet outage or other connection problem. Then all you need to do is pop some popcorn and wait for things to come back up.
Or you could get a weak signal because your router or modem is far from your device. If, for instance, your router is in the basement but you work on the top floor, a Wi-Fi extender will make a world of difference for your signal strength.
Or you may not have a fast enough connection for your needs, which brings us to the next point.
Too many devices using your internet service can majorly slow things down.
How many is too many? Our Mbps guide can tell you the ideal device count for your network speed. For example, a 100Mbps plan typically supports 7-10 devices at a time.
Oh, and be sure to look out for hidden devices riding your network in secret—some folks will glom on to your Wi-Fi to save money.
Once you confirm that your network is too crowded, the next step is to rectify the problem. The easiest way is to either cut down your number of devices or get a faster internet connection.
We typically recommend the faster connection. It’s easier to upgrade an insufficient internet plan than to get rid of helpful items like smart speakers and cameras.
Here are some of our favorite high-speed internet plans.
When picking a fast new internet provider, pay particular attention to internet type. Fiber internet is typically more reliable than cable internet, and cable is more reliable than DSL, and so on.
Some items in your house might interfere with your internet connectivity, like a Bluetooth device (such as headphones, wireless speakers, baby monitors) or a common household appliance or other wireless device.
In this case, you can limit the use of interfering tech. But if that’s not realistic, you can also try changing the frequency of your network settings from 2.4GHz to 5GHz. (You may need a dual-band router to do this.) 5GHz is a much faster connection than 2.4, but it does have a shorter range.
When your Wi-Fi network is on the fritz, sometimes the culprit is your modem or router.
Not sure where to start? That’s okay! We’ve compiled some handy-dandy troubleshooting questions to help you pinpoint a modem connectivity issue.
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then you know what you need to rectify.
If you need help checking your modem software, it’s surprisingly easy. All you do is enter your modem or router's default IP address or login URL. You can find that info on the router itself if you don’t already know it.
Should all of this prove too much of a hassle, there’s no shame in calling your service provider and asking for help.
If the source of your internet issue isn’t your router or modem, it might be the connected device you’re using.
Here are some things to look for:
This troubleshooting process will look slightly different depending on your device. If needed, you can look up specifics to navigate a PC vs. laptop vs. iPhone vs. Xbox vs. smart TV and so on.
And if you’re using a computer or phone, try switching between browsers, just in case the internet issue is actually a browser issue.
If your devices keep disconnecting from your internet, here are a few things to look for:
If you go through this list but can’t find the source of the issue, it’s time to call or message your internet service provider! But hey, you didn’t waste your time trying to fix the connection yourself—you can confidently tell the reps about all the issues you ruled out.
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