Why Does My Computer Keep Disconnecting from Wi-Fi? 10+ Potential Issues Behind Wi-Fi Connection

Double check that all the connecting cables are plugged in and working. The Ethernet cable is the one that connects the modem and the router, so it could be causing your disconnection issues. Try carefully unplugging the Ethernet cable, then plugging it back in to see if that solves your problem.^[3]

• If your Ethernet cable is damaged, that could also be the issue. Head to a tech supply store to buy a new cable and install it.

Sometimes, a simple on and off will reestablish your WiFi connection.^[4] If you can’t figure out what’s going on with your WiFi, try carefully unplugging both your modem and your router, then plug them back in. It might take up to 5 minutes for your devices to reestablish a connection, so just hold tight!^[5]

• This is a good time to double check that your Ethernet cable is connected and secure.

A pending software update could be disrupting your WiFi connection. Head into your settings and type “software” into the search bar, then check to see if you have any updates available.^[6] If you do, try installing them and then restarting your computer. If that was the issue, your WiFi should stop randomly disconnecting once the updates are installed.^[7]

• Almost any software update could be disrupting the WiFi connection on your computer, no matter what it is.^[8]

Some antivirus software will make your WiFi disconnect randomly. If you have an antivirus installed on your computer, try uninstalling it briefly to see if that strengthens your connection. If that was the problem, you may need to try a different antivirus program.^[9]

• Make sure your antivirus program is up to date, too. Outdated software could be causing your WiFi to disconnect.^[10]

In Windows, this feature reduces power consumption during low battery. However, some power management tools will disable the wireless adapter and cause your computer to disconnect from the WiFi. To check, head to Start > Device Manager > Network Adapters. Double click your WiFi’s name, then select the Power Management tab and uncheck the box that says “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”^[11]

• If this box was already unchecked, it means that the power management settings weren’t the problem.

In Windows 10, this feature can cause some issues. The WiFi-Sense tool constantly scans for new WiFi networks, which can cause your computer to randomly drop the one you’re already connected to. To turn this off, click Start, then head to your Settings. Select Network and Internet, then click Wi-Fi on the left. Click on Manage Wi-Fi Settings, then disable both “Connect to suggested open hotspots” and “Connect to networks shared by my friends.”^[12]

Drivers tell the computer how to interact with the software. If the WiFi driver isn’t up to date, your computer won’t know how to interact with the wireless connection. To update your driver, head to Device Manager and then open up the Network Adapter section. Right click on the WiFi Adapter, then select “Update Driver Software.”^[13]

• You may need to restart your computer after installing this update.

Some computers don’t like interacting with multiple IP addresses.^[14] By default, your router will assign your device a new IP address every time it interacts with it. To create a static one, log into your router on your computer and tell it to give you the same IP address every time. Every router is different, so you need to consult your user manual to find out how to access your specific device.^[15]

• You can assign an IP address to your device for your router to use. Most routers will give you the first 3 digits, but the rest are up to you.

Check out your router to see if any lights are not green. If there is a red or a flashing light, it could mean that your router is having issues.^[16] Check your user manual to see what each specific light means, and call your service provider to come and take a look at it if you need to.^[17]

• If your router is the issue, the WiFi will probably randomly disconnect from all your devices, not just your computer.