Why Does My Internet Keep Going Out? Reasons & Solutions

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Why My Internet Connection Keeps Dropping and Reconnecting

Experiencing internet outages or connection drops can be frustrating, especially if you rely on a stable internet connection for work or entertainment.

There are a number of potential reasons why your internet keeps going out, including:

  1. Router or modem issues: Your router or modem may be experiencing technical problems, such as outdated firmware or hardware failure, that could cause your internet to go out.
  2. Network congestion: If you’re using a shared network with multiple users, heavy usage during peak hours can cause internet congestion and slow down your connection.
  3. Service provider issues: Your internet service provider may be experiencing problems with their network, which can cause temporary outages.
  4. Interference from other devices: Other electronic devices in your home or nearby may interfere with your Wi-Fi signal, causing your internet to drop out.
  5. Wiring or cabling issues: Faulty wiring or cabling between your modem and router or between your home and your service provider can cause connection issues.

To diagnose and fix internet connection problems, try restarting your router or modem, checking for any firmware updates, and making sure your cables are securely connected. If problems persist, you may need to contact your service provider or a technical expert for further assistance.

Related: Wifi Extenders vs. Wifi Boosters

1.  Too Many Devices Are Connected

Most households used to have just a single computer. Today, with smart televisions, IPads, and smartphones, it doesn’t take much for your internet to be overwhelmed. 

And it gets worse because even if your connected device is not actively receiving or sending data, it still takes a chunk of the available bandwidth. Your internet can slow down or disconnect if you have many devices connected.

Related: Best Wifi Extenders for Gaming – 6 Top Picks in 2023

How to Fix This

The easiest way to handle too many devices would be to disconnect devices that aren’t in use. You could also temporarily cut back on heavy internet use, say, gaming and downloading movies. In addition, you could just change the Wi-Fi password and kick everyone off. You can then permit some devices to rejoin.

If that can’t work, maybe switching bands from 2.4 GHz to the 5 GHz band where it’s less crowded could. Generally, 5 GHz band connects faster but has a shorter range than the 2.4 GHz band, which is slower but more extended.

Finally, you can upgrade your internet connectivity by conducting a speed test. If you have too many devices for your current speed, talk to your internet provider about upgrading to a faster plan. However, you should exhaust all the other fixes in this article before doing this.

2. Outdated Router Firmware

Sometimes, even all the repositioning will not solve the problem, especially when your technology is outdated. Your old router may have grown less compatible with new technology, and this might cause the internet to drop.

When your router’s firmware is outdated, your internet is bound to perform dismally. The firmware is responsible for carrying out integral router functions; updating it can improve internet connectivity. Also, updating the firmware will eliminate software bugs that could randomly slow down your connection or cause it to disconnect.

How to Fix This

Upgrade your router’s firmware to the latest version to be on the safe side. In addition, you can update the network drivers on your device. For instance, if your internet keeps disconnecting from Windows 10, updating the network drivers could help.

3. Radio Interference

Is your router placed next to or near your microwave, garage door openers, Bluetooth devices, smart TV, or cordless phones? Then the different signals emanating from these devices can interfere with each other and lead to the internet dropping. This is called radio interference, and it can also happen in apartment buildings where tenants’ WiFi is nearby.

How to Fix This

You should ensure that your router is not close to any devices that could interfere with its workings. Change your WiFi’s operating channel. Some software can tell you which channels are widely used. Then, pick the least used channel.

4. The Router is in the Wrong Spot

Having your router in the wrong spot ranks among the possible causes of internet failure. For instance, burying your router inside a closet while your smart TV is out of signal range could be the cause.

Also, you should ensure that the router is placed in a well-ventilated place to avoid overheating, which could lead to underperformance.

Related: How to Extend Wifi Range Outside – Step-by-Step Guide

How to Fix This

Place your router in the room where you intend to use the internet most or as closely as possible. Ensure the router is elevated as much as possible to avoid obstacles or obstructions. For the best results, install the router as near as possible to the center of your home.

Most importantly, keep the router from reflecting objects like metal, mirrors, and glass, as signals will bounce off them. Don’t forget to check whether the router position is well-ventilated.

On the other hand, large facilities with many rooms or buildings can’t afford to have areas of dead spots — they need WiFi mapping. Wi-Fi mapping tool provides a clear visual representation of your physical coverage, allowing you to identify and eliminate blind spots.

5. The Router Needs a Break

Our habits can be pretty punishing to our devices. Imagine keeping laptops, smart TVs, smartphones, and other devices always connected even when we aren’t using them. With such behavior, your internet cannot function at its full potential. As an internet user, your router also needs the occasional break.

How to Fix This

This is a no-brainer! Turn off the router and keep it unplugged for at least a minute. Then switch it on. At times, if you are fortunate, that is all it takes to make your internet perform as well as before.

6. Faulty Cables

If your cables are damaged, loose, or old, your internet connection can disconnect randomly. Your internet connection will be affected when your cables are not working as they should. Either it will not work at all, or it will be very unreliable; connecting and disconnecting randomly.

How to Fix This

You must ensure all the cables are correctly connected and securely in place. If they are old, swap them for new cables (they are relatively inexpensive).

7. Router Configurations

Maybe you or someone in your household configured the router to drop the connection in instances where it is not used for some time. While this is done to save power, it is frustrating when the connection keeps dropping when using the internet.

How to Fix This

There are several ways you can fix router configuration issues, including:

  • Restarting the router,
  • Resetting the router, 
  • Contact your service provider if restarting and resetting doesn’t work.

The Ultimate way to Solve Inconsistent Internet Connection

Hopefully, you won’t have to go through the entire checklist to find out why your internet keeps connecting and disconnecting randomly. When you discover the most probable causes, you can use the ‘fixes’ above to make it right.

Your best bet would be to start with the most straightforward solutions: moving objects that could bring radio interference, changing the router’s position, disconnecting some devices, and checking the cables.

You can start on the others if these simple solutions don’t fix the problem. For instance, check whether the router firmware is outdated, whether your current internet plan matches your internet needs, or whether there are configurations in play affecting the performance.

When all these don’t work, maybe the problem is not on your end but on your Internet Service Providers. By calling them, you can find out whether you are the only one facing this issue, and you’d be surprised to know that other issues may be in the same predicament.

Why My Internet Connection Keeps Dropping And Reconnecting FAQs

Why Does my Internet Keep Going Out at Night?

The most probable reason is network congestion if your internet keeps going out at night. Similar to rush hour traffic, when many people are on the road, there are many internet users at night.

From around 6 pm to midnight, nearly everyone will be online; streaming, gaming, on social media, and downloading movies, hence the slower or randomly disconnecting the internet.

Why do I Keep Losing Internet Connection on my Phone?

If your phone’s internet keeps dropping, it probably has latched on to an open wireless network with no data service, although your phone ‘thinks’ it has. When there are free Wi-Fi hotspots near your location, your phone can automatically connect to them, the fact that your regular internet is faster notwithstanding.

Internet Connection Randomly Drops For a Few Seconds

Sometimes your internet randomly drops for a few seconds due to simple causes. These include minor router glitches, which you can remedy by rebooting the router. Another reason is interference from objects like walls and furniture, which you can remedy by changing the router’s location. Bent or broken cables can also cause this issue.

If the internet drops on all your devices simultaneously, your internet plan or connection is the culprit. But if this issue occurs only when using a specific device, say your phone, then the issue is the hardware or software in that particular device.

The Internet Keeps Disconnecting With Windows 10

Sometimes when using Windows 10, your internet may keep on disconnecting. This range from outdated router software to outdated network adapter drivers. In addition, if your Windows 10 has optimized power management, the connection may drop.

Internet Keeps Disconnecting Windows 11

Your internet may keep dropping on Windows 11 for several reasons; from overlapping signals, too many devices on the network, outdated routers, weak internet signals, and radio interference.

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