Why does my internet keep disconnecting?

Once you pinpoint the potential issues that cause your internet’s disconnection problems, it’s crucial to address the issues through a thorough diagnosis. Here are some practical steps you can take to diagnose the disconnection issues:

Examine your router’s settings. Its configuration can impact your internet connection’s stability. Access your router’s admin panel in your web browser using the router’s IP address (found at the back or on the underside of the router) or using the router’s app and review the following settings:

• Ensure your router’s firmware is up-to-date. Manufacturers frequently release updates to address security bugs and improve performance.
• Select a less crowded WiFi channel to minimize interference from neighboring networks.
• Enable QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritize network traffic for specific devices or applications, improving overall performance.
• Check for unusual settings that might limit connectivity, such as MAC address filtering or incorrectly configured DNS settings.

While these settings generally apply to most routers, the exact process may vary slightly depending on the router’s brand and model. Always refer to your router’s specific documentation for accurate instructions.

Run an internet speed test to measure the speed of your WiFi connection. Conduct a comprehensive network performance evaluation of the network’s download and upload speed throughput at different times of the day.

Speed tests help determine if your internet speeds fluctuate, which might indicate connection instability.

By monitoring your network traffic, you can evaluate how you use your internet connection. It provides insight into bandwidth usage and identifies which devices or applications consume the most resources, resulting in slow internet connections or unexpected WiFi disconnections.

You can monitor your network traffic using your router’s built-in traffic monitoring features or your operating system’s tools, such as Task Manager and Activity Monitor. You can also install network analysis applications like Wireshark or GlassWire, which provide more detailed insights into your network’s traffic.

You can also disconnect idle devices when they aren’t in use or use your router’s QoS features to limit bandwidth for them. After collecting the data, you can identify patterns, anomalies and errors within the network traffic that cause disconnections.

Place your router in a central location away from all electronic devices that emit EMI signals to minimize signal interference. Additionally, place the router in an elevated position to maximize WiFi coverage and minimize obstructions from other physical objects.

You can also connect your devices directly to your router using an Ethernet cable for a wired connection. Wired connections are less prone to signal interference than wireless networks and offer more consistent internet speeds. Finally, consider using WiFi analyzer apps to find the least congested channel in your area and avoid interference from neighboring WiFi networks.

WiFi extenders and mesh networks can help improve the coverage of your internet connection and eliminate dead zones in your home. WiFi extenders boost signal in specific areas, while mesh networks create a unified WiFi network with multiple access points that provide broader coverage throughout your home.

In addition, Astound’s Whole Home WiFi eero subscription includes eero Secure, which has network insights that let you see your family’s historical network usage and eero performance data over time, at no additional charge.

If you have tried the methods above and still suffer from internet disconnections, the issues may be with your ISP. Disconnections can occur when your ISP performs a maintenance check during network outages or when damaged equipment is present.

Tell customer service the details of your troubleshooting steps, schedule a technician for inspection or upgrade your internet plan to find better speeds.

 
Learn More: What is the difference between WiFi and internet connections?