Consider today the problem when the Wi-Fi network is unstable, and when the connection to the Wi-Fi network is intermittently disconnected, or the Internet connection is lost. It seems to me that this is even worse than when the Internet does not work at all. Because the problem is not clear, everything seems to work, but not as it should, the signal disappears, the devices are turned off, and other incomprehensible moments. It's just that when something doesn't work, it is at least clear where to look for a solution, but in such a situation, nothing is clear at all.
What is the unstable operation of a Wi-Fi connection:
- Periodic disconnections of devices from the Wi-Fi network. Or the Internet is simply cut off for a while (without access to the Internet), and everything starts working again. A very popular problem that causes a lot of inconvenience. For example, a laptop is connected to a Wi-Fi network and the Internet is working. But periodically, a yellow exclamation mark appears near the connection icon, and the Internet disappears. Downloading files gets lost, etc. And, as a rule, after a while the connection is restored.
- Devices do not connect to the Wi-Fi network the first time, or they do not see the Wi-Fi network.
- The Wi-Fi network completely disappears and appears.
- Very low internet speed over wireless (cable is fine).
- When the Wi-Fi connection only works near the router.
- The wireless signal strength is constantly changing.
This is, of course, not the entire list of problems that are associated with unstable wireless networks. There can be many more. Very often, Wi-Fi works fine for a while, and then problems start that go away again. Also, you can notice the appearance of problems, for example, in the evenings, or at other times of the day.
If you have something similar, and you seem to have an Internet connection, but you can't always use it (use it without any problems), then now we will try to fix everything.
Changing the wireless network channel when Wi-Fi is unstable
This is the first and most important tip that you should definitely try. We know that every Wi-Fi network operates on some channel. If there are many of these networks, then they begin to interfere with one one, and interference appears. As a result, unstable Wi-Fi works. Well, and various incomprehensible problems that I wrote about above, and which you have most likely encountered.
You need to change the Wi-Fi network channel in the router settings. In detail about the channels, about finding a free one and about changing on different models of routers, I wrote in a separate instruction: How to find a free Wi-Fi channel and change the channel on a router?
You can try to set some kind of static channel (if you have Auto), or vice versa, set Auto if a static channel was selected. In the article on the link above, I wrote about finding the most free channel using the inSSIDer program. You can use it.
You just need to go to the router settings, go to the tab where the wireless network is configured, and change the channel in the Channel item. This is how it looks on Tp-Link routers:
And on Asus routers:
After every channel change, do not forget save settings, and reboot the router... Be sure to try several options. Should help.
As for interference, household appliances can create them. Do not place the router near microwave ovens, cordless phones, etc.
Shaving the Internet via Wi-Fi: router firmware, and other tips
Almost always, such problems in the operation of the wireless network occur due to the router. Not uncommon, this is due to the firmware. Therefore, I highly recommend updating your router's firmware. We have instructions for all popular manufacturers on our website. Here's an example, instructions for Tp-Link.
It is also possible that the wireless network may be unstable due to some technical problems with the router... Something with the board itself, or the power adapter. By the way, it is power adapters that are very often the cause of such problems. The router simply does not receive the necessary power and there are connection breaks, etc. Well, strong fluctuations in the power network can affect the operation of the router. If the Internet is cut off after you create some kind of load on the router (online videos, games, torrents, connecting new devices, etc.), then this happens as a rule because of an inexpensive (not powerful) router.
Need to eliminate problems on the side of the ISP... It may well be that it is on his side that the connection is broken, and the router has nothing to do with it. It is very simple to check, just connect the Internet directly to the computer and check its operation.
For many, the connection drops in those rooms where the Wi-Fi signal is very poor. When, for example, only one division of the network signal remains on the device.
In such a situation, you need to increase the range of your Wi-Fi network. On this topic, we have an article: How to strengthen the signal of a Wi-Fi network? We increase the range of Wi-Fi. Or, install a repeater. After that, the problems with the disconnection of the Internet should disappear.
And if at your home devices find a lot of available networks that operate at 2.4 GHz (as most likely your network), and changing the channel, and even changing the router does not work, and the Wi-Fi network is very unstable, then decide this problem can be purchased by purchasing a router that supports 5 GHz. This frequency is practically free. I just know a case where there were many wireless networks in the house, and Wi-Fi was simply impossible to use until we switched to 5 GHz.
If the Internet disappears on only one laptop
And of course, it is not uncommon for all devices to connect and work with a wireless network without any problems and disconnections, and one device is disconnected all the time, loses connection, etc. It's not hard to guess that most often this device is called a laptop and works on Windows.
In such cases, be sure to update the wireless adapter driver. I wrote here how to do it. It is possible that the problem may be in the hardware. And it appears very often after disassembling the laptop (cleaning from dust). Why is that? During assembly, the antenna, which is built into a laptop, often suffers. Here are the problems in working with Wi-Fi networks. Very often, after that, the Internet works only near the router itself.
Update: changing the properties of the Wi-Fi network
Open the "Network and Sharing Center" and click on your Wi-Fi network. In the new window, click on the "Wireless network properties" button and put a checkmark next to "Connect even if the network does not broadcast its name (SSID)". Click Ok.
If it does not help, and Wi-Fi will still fall off, then in the same window, on the "Security" tab, you can click on the "Advanced options" button and check the box next to "Enable Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) compatibility mode for this network ) ".
You can restart your computer. Thanks to Alexander for this advice. He suggested it in the comments to this article.
These are the tips, if you have interesting information on this topic, personal experience, then write in the comments. You can also ask questions there, I will definitely answer!
