Internet Keeps Disconnecting? Do This To Fix It Right Now
What To Do If Your Router Keeps Dropping Internet Connection
You put on your best shirt, open your computer, and start that work Zoom call you need to get out of the way — but your internet crashes! Is your router acting up again?
It's not the first time your router keeps dropping your internet connection. Usually, router issues happen because of connectivity problems, outdated drivers, or a settings mishap.
Fortunately, there's an easy way to fix any of these problems! In this article, we'll explain how to solve that problem in a simple way, so you can get back to using the internet quickly.
Here are 13 steps to fix your internet if it keeps disconnecting:
1. Close All Internet Programs to Stop Dropping Internet Connection
You may not be suffering from an internet outage…but a slowdown is not out of the question.
Unless you’re connected to EPB’s fiber-fast Gig speed internet, you may be asking for more than your internet connection can give you. You can't bench press 1,000 lbs., and your internet bandwidth can't handle one too many open apps and tabs.
Let's do a quick checkup:
- Are you listening to music?
- Do you have any videos running in the background?
- Is social media taking one too many tabs on your browser?
- Just how many shopping sites are open in your browser?
The easiest way to check how much bandwidth you're using is to open your Task Manager (Press CTRL+Shift+Esc to open it) and see for yourself.
Close anything that's hogging your bandwidth and see if your internet connection catches up. Don’t forget that you might have some games, videos, or downloads running in the background that you forgot about.
After you’ve closed down everything you aren’t using at the moment, see if your internet connection has improved. If not, keep going and check out the next step.
2. Make Sure You're Correctly Connected If You Want to Stop Dropping the Connection
Are you sure you're connected to the right network? Sometimes, computers change networks for many reasons, and you end up on the wrong network or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi. This is a common occurrence and fortunately it’s a pretty simple fix.
Go to your internet settings (no matter your device or computer), and check if you're connected to the right network. If you don't know your Wi-Fi network's name, look at the back of your router. You'll find the default name of your network on a sticker.
If that doesn’t work, someone may have changed your network's name. In that case, you need to ask your family members the name of your network (and maybe tell them to stop messing with it).
3. Restart Your Devices to Fix the Internet From Disconnecting
Have you tried restarting your devices? If your router keeps dropping your internet connection, it's time to start from scratch. That means unplugging your router and waiting 30 seconds before plugging it back in. Do the same with your modem and also restart your computer. Sometimes technology just needs a reset.
After you do it, take a five-minute walk before checking whether your internet connection is back to the way it should be. Your modem will take a while to restart, and wireless devices will not work until that happens.
Why does turning devices off and on work? Because computer processes sometimes stop working, so you need to shut them off and restart them to get them to work.
4. Check Your Cables If Your Internet Keeps Disconnecting
Are your Ethernet cables causing you trouble? Unless you're running a strictly wireless operation, you have cables all over the place.
You may have your modem connected to a router, or your router to your computer, or both scenarios going on.
Make sure every cable is connected correctly to the right place. Sometimes, cables get loose — and you need to plug them back in snugly if you want your internet back.
Wireless devices have no cables, so there's no need to check there. At the same time, if you're completely sure all cables are properly plugged in the right place, be sure to check for broken or damaged cables, which will need to be replaced.
5. Disconnect All Other Devices to Stop Router From Dropping Internet
Are you still having internet issues? It's time for drastic measures.
Disconnect every device (except your computer) from the internet, including your smartphones, smart TV, tablets, and anything else you can think of.
Check your internet connection after disconnecting each one. That way, you can troubleshoot your way into knowing which one is the problematic device.
Once you single out the device causing trouble, connect everything else to the internet again. If you start having internet issues again, go through the whole process one more time — because you have more than one device making trouble!
This is a great way to pinpoint if a particular device is causing the slowdown — and then you can see what it is about that device that’s giving your internet issues.
6. Connect via Ethernet to Prevent Dropping Internet Connectivity
Remember we talked about how wireless devices use no Ethernet cables? Well, that may be the issue after all! A wireless router may malfunction and the Wi-Fi may have stopped working — even if you have no other internet issues.
There are two solutions to that problem: the easiest one is to connect an Ethernet cable from your computer to your router; the most expensive one is to buy a new wireless router.
When you have an important online meeting (or anything else) that relies on your internet connection, make sure you reduce risks and use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the internet. Having a wired connection is always more reliable and faster than a wireless connection.
7. Move Your Router If Your Router Drops the Internet Connection
When your router keeps dropping your internet connection, it may not be its fault. Many things may cause interference, such as other devices.
How can you fix that problem? Move your router! Keep it closer to your computer if possible. Also, remember that wireless routers may malfunction after a few years. If you have your router close to your computer and still have connectivity issues, it may be time to replace it.
When moving your router, keep it away from other devices, metal (because of possible interference), and water (because it can ruin electronic devices
8. Change Your Wireless Frequency to Prevent Dropping Internet Connection
We'll get a little technical now — but worry not! Wireless networks have a frequency. These frequencies sometimes interfere with each other, which may cause trouble with your Wi-Fi. Different networks usually interfere with each other when they're close. You may not have another router in your house, but your neighbor probably does. That's the problem!
Check if changing frequencies will solve your issue. Open your settings and disconnect from your network, then choose the one with the same name but a different frequency. It'll look something like this:
- Your Network 2Ghz
- Your Network 5Ghz
If you're on the 2Ghz one, click the 5Ghz, or the other way around.
Changing the frequency is a quick adjustment that can often fix internet connectivity issues.
9. Renew the Lease on Your Network If Your Connection Keeps Dropping
Renewing the lease on your network is a technical thing you don't need to understand to do it.
Simply put, doing this will assign a new ID to your computer. That ID is called an IP address, and sometimes these addresses expire, causing connectivity issues.
Log in to your router network to renew the lease.
If you don't know how to do that, click on the Windows logo, type "cmd," press enter, and then write "ipconfig." Look under Default Getaway. That number is your router's IP address.
So, open your browser. Write down that number and click enter. Then, use your admin credentials to log in. Look for the connection status of your browser, press the release button, and then the renew button.
That's it!
Don’t worry—if this is too technical you can skip this step.
10. Use a Wi-Fi Extender To Prevent Dropping Your Internet Connection
If you cannot move a router that's far away, you may solve your connection issues by using a Wi-Fi extender.
An extender echoes your router's signal, making it stronger and helping it reach your computer. In other words, it's like a second router that strengthens the internet signal, so you don't have to stand near the original router to go online.
Extenders are easy to use, so don't be afraid to buy one. Setting one up is straightforward: you'll probably do it in three or four clicks.
11. Check for Updates If Your Router Is Dropping the Internet Connection
At this point, you're running out of options — but we still have a few tricks up our sleeve to solve your issues!
Routers require regular software and firmware updates. They may malfunction when you go for a long time without updating them.
Check for updates if nothing has worked so far! You can do so by visiting the manufacturer's website. Oftentimes there is an update (sometimes called “firmware”) that you can download. Once you download and install it, be sure to reboot your router and your computer.
12. Get a Better Router If Your Router Keeps Dropping the Connection
As we've explained before, sometimes there's nothing you can do but replace your router. Old or broken routers may have internal issues you won't solve no matter how hard you try.
Fortunately, a new router is fairly inexpensive and it’s not a bad idea to replace your router if it’s been a long time. Newer routers are more reliable, have stronger signal strength and have more features.
Not sure if you should replace your router? We have an entire article to help you decide when you should replace your router.
13. EPB Internet Customer? Contact your EPB Tech ProsSM Team to Get Help If Your Router Keeps Dropping Internet
If your router keeps dropping internet connection, EPB Tech Pros are available 24/7 to help troubleshoot your issues and get you back online faster.
If you never want to worry about your router dropping its connection again and want to optimize Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home, talk to us about EPB Smart Net Plus. We’ll provide and install a next generation Wi-Fi 6 router optimized for multi-gig speeds, connect all your devices, and provide ongoing support at no additional charge. Call 423-648-1372 to learn more and sign up today.
