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Wi-Fi not working? How to fix the most common problems

Wi-Fi problems can strike anyone at any time, no matter how much networking experience you may have. But if you’ve not come across a particular Wi-Fi issue before, there’s no need to worry if you don’t know how to fix it. All you need are the right tools and a few tips, and you’ll be able to solve your Wi-Fi problem in no time.

Basic Wi-Fi troubleshooting checklist

Quick fixes for common problems, slow or no wi-fi or internet access in certain rooms, slow internet everywhere.

• One device can’t connect to the Wi-Fi

Nothing can connect to Wi-Fi

Connections drop at random times, wi-fi network disappears entirely, unknown devices on my wi-fi network, a recent update broke wi-fi.

• The satellite routers on my mesh network aren’t connecting
• My smart device isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi
• My console can’t connect to Wi-Fi
• Can’t connect to wireless printer
• Can’t connect to a guest Wi-Fi network that I set up
• Wi-Fi 6 or 6E isn’t working, even with a Wi-Fi 6 router
• Can’t find a router with Wi-Fi 7

Whether you’re experiencing problems with slow internet, Wi-Fi signal dropping, or you just can’t connect to Wi-Fi at all, here are some of the quickest and easiest fixes you can try. We’ll also cover some advanced advice on more troubling issues that would definitely result in your Wi-Fi not working at all, or at slower speeds.

If you have a non-specific problem with your Wi-Fi or don’t consider the problem serious enough to investigate more in-depth problems, consider the items on this list as a great way to start fixing your problem.

• Make sure your device’s Wi-Fi is on — Most laptops have a shortcut key that will turn off their Wi-Fi and it can be easy to press accidentally. Similarly, there is a quick toggle on most phones that will turn off the phone’s Wi-Fi capabilities.
• Restart your router —  A quick restart of your router (achieved by unplugging it, waiting 30 seconds to 1 minute, and plugging it back in again) can fix many Wi-Fi difficulties.
• Check for an outage — Most ISP’s will have an outage map available on their website. Try using your phone’s data to check and see if an outage is reported in your area.

Forgot the Wi-Fi password

If you really can’t remember your Wi-Fi password, and there are no notes or cards with it written down somewhere, you’ll have to reset your router . Use a paperclip to press the hidden switch in the pinhole on the back of your router for 30 seconds. It should then default to factory settings.

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Use our guide to setting up a wireless router  to get everything properly configured.

Wi-Fi connection lost when logging back into the computer

This problem can crop up on Windows 10 due to an issue with Fast Startup. Fast Startup keeps certain processes running so you can log back in very quickly. However, this can sometimes cause a bug with the wireless driver that prevents it from reconnecting to Wi-Fi properly. In the short term, you can turn off Fast Startup to prevent this problem . Search for Power Option s in your Windows 10 or Windows 11 search bar and go to this section of the Control Panel. Select Choose What the Power Button Does on the left-side menu, and then look at the new section Shutdown Settings . Find the option to Turn On Fast Startup and make sure it is deselected.

In the long term, you may need to update the driver for your wireless network adapter to fix any bugs causing this issue. You can follow our guide on how to update Windows 10 drivers for more information.

The network connects, but there’s no internet access

It might sound like a tired tip, but try resetting your modem by unplugging it and plugging it back in. If that’s no good, you can connect a laptop or desktop to your router with an Ethernet cable ( these are the best ones ) to see if it’s the router or your Wi-Fi that’s not working. If this works, then your best bet to get Wi-Fi working again is to reset your router . If there’s still no internet, though, you may have an outage. Contact your ISP.

Router crashes regularly and only restarting it helps

If your router needs to be restarted regularly, you should give your router a full reset . On most routers, you’ll find a Reset button that you can hold down with a paperclip. Do so for 30 seconds, and the router should default from factory settings. Use our guide to setting up a wireless router  to get everything properly configured.

If that doesn’t work, your router may be on its way out. Your only real option is to return it if it is within its warranty period or to buy a new one.

Wi-Fi is made up of radio waves, meaning your Wi-Fi router broadcasts in all directions from a central location. If your router is in a far corner of your house, then you’re covering a great deal of the outside world unnecessarily. If you can, move your router to a more centralized location. The closer you can put your router to the center of your coverage area, the better reception will be throughout your home.

If you have external antennas, you can try adjusting those, too. Alternating between fully vertical and fully horizontal positions can help it reach in multiple directions.

If you live in an apartment building, other routers might be interfering with yours. Free software, like NetSpot on Mac, Windows, and Android, or Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android, can show you every wireless network nearby and what channel they’re using. If your router overlaps with nearby networks in particular rooms, consider switching to a less congested channel. If you need help switching, here’s our guide on how to change your Wi-Fi channel .

If none of that helps, your home might be too much for one router to handle. Consider purchasing a wireless repeater or setting up an old router to serve as one  to extend the range of your main router. Upgrading to a whole-home mesh wireless system can also help with dead spots in certain areas of your home. Either way, it might be time to go and buy a new router .

If your Wi-Fi speed is slow no matter where you are, try plugging a laptop into your router directly and test your internet speed using one of the best internet speed tests . If speeds are still down, the problem is likely with your internet connection, not your router. Try some of these ways to improve your internet speed and contact your ISP.

If that’s not the issue, it could be that your current wireless channel is overcrowded by your devices or by those of other nearby networks. Consider changing the channel on your router in your router settings, by accessing the admin settings .

If that doesn’t help, performing a factory reset on your router and setting it up again may help. On most routers, there’s a Reset button that you can hold down with a paperclip. Do so for 30 seconds, and the router should default to factory settings. Use our guide to setting up a wireless router  to get everything properly configured, and see if that helps.

If none of that works and your internet is fine on a wired connection, your router might be dying. Consider buying a new one: Here are the best routers we’ve reviewed and why they’re great picks. If the router seems fine, then it might instead be your modem, which could suffer connectivity issues if it’s on its way out, too. If you’re looking to upgrade your modem as a fix, we also have a guide on some of the top modem-router combos . Upgrading to a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E router can also help ease issues with congestion and support faster speeds, provided that your broadband plan is capable of these boosted speeds.

One device can’t connect to the Wi-Fi

Sometimes you run into a Wi-Fi issue with one particular device. It’s probably just a momentary network issue, which is an easy fix. Try turning off the Wi-Fi on your device, then re-enabling it — or unplugging and replugging your Wi-Fi dongle. If that doesn’t work, restart the device and try again. Then try restarting the router itself.

If that doesn’t help, or if the problem reoccurs, consider deleting your current network from the list of saved networks on your device, then reconnect again.

If you’re running Windows 10 or 11, search for “wifi troubleshooting” and open the result, which should be Identify and Repair Network Issues . That will go through a series of diagnostics that may restore connectivity. On MacOS, you can run Wireless Diagnostics . Hold the Options key and click the AirPort (Wi-Fi) icon on the menu bar. Find Open Wireless Diagnostics , and then follow the on-screen instructions.

If you can’t connect to your Wi-Fi at all, plug your laptop into the router directly using an Ethernet cable, and see if you can connect that way. The particular type of Ethernet cable doesn’t matter, but there are some Ethernet cables that are better than others . If that works, your Wi-Fi is the problem and you should try some of the other fixes listed here. If it doesn’t work, then your internet may be down altogether. Check your ISP’s webpage and social accounts, or give them a call to see if they are reporting problems. Sometimes providers can be a little slow to note issues, so you can also check with a monitoring site like Downdetector  and see if other users in your region are reporting problems.

Resetting your router can fix a myriad of issues, too, and an inability to connect is one of them. Press the Reset  button on the back of the router with a paperclip for 30 seconds, and the router should default to factory settings. Use our guide to setting up a wireless router  to get everything properly configured.

If that’s no use, you may need to consider buying a new router.

Is there some sort of pattern? Do connections drop whenever you use the microwave? Have you just installed a fish tank? It may sound weird, but some routers have trouble with these and other home hardware. The 2.5GHz band is readily interfered with by other devices, and 5GHz and 6GHz are notorious for being interrupted by physical objects. It could also be that you’re experiencing interference from other networks or devices. If your neighbors are heavy Wi-Fi users at a particular time each day, this could be slowing you down.

Changing your router’s channel might help. You can use NetSpot on Mac and Windows and Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android to show you every wireless network nearby. If yours overlaps with nearby networks, switching to a less congested channel in your router settings can help. We have a guide that will walk you through changing the channel on your router .

You can also try moving your router to a more accessible location so that there’s less distance (and interfering devices) between you and the router.

If that doesn’t work, try performing a factory reset on your router by pressing a paperclip into the miniature hole on it and following the reset steps as outlined in your manual.

If you lose track of your Wi-Fi network on any device, it’s possible that your router reset itself. Do you see an unprotected network named after your brand of router? That might be yours. Connect a laptop or desktop to it via an Ethernet cable, then use our guide to setting up a wireless router  to get everything properly configured again.

If you don’t see such a network, plug your laptop into the router with an Ethernet cable, and see if you get a connection. Use our guide to finding your router’s IP address and login information for more help. Also, if you don’t have a cable, check out our guide on how to choose the right Ethernet cable .

Log into your Wi-Fi app or administrator settings (which you can find by searching your IP address on your browser ). Look for a list of currently connected devices and pinpoint the ones you don’t recognize.

First, make sure these don’t represent connections you didn’t realize you had — each smart device will have its own connection, for example, and they can have some strange titles if you didn’t name them. Game consoles and TVs may also be connected, and if you’ve had friends and family over recently they may have connected with unfamiliar devices.

If you’ve ruled out all familiar devices and there’s still a connection or two you don’t recognize, it’s possible someone else is hijacking your Wi-Fi network. In this case, look in your settings for an option to block these devices on your Wi-Fi and ban their MAC addresses, if possible. Then change your Wi-Fi password, and reboot your router. This may not stop especially determined hackers, but it’s usually enough to kick unwanted guests off your network.

If you want to take more drastic action, here are some steps for how to deal with someone stealing your Wi-Fi .

This can happen with some operating system updates. Windows 10 updates in mid-2020 had bugs that stopped some users from connecting to their Wi-Fi networks or even seeing a Wi-Fi connection at all. Similar updates to iOS, Android, and other platforms also have created bugs in the past that disrupt Wi-Fi connections.

When something like this happens, it’s best to wait for a patch that fixes the problem. In the meantime, remove the update and roll back your system to an earlier version to help get your online connectivity back.

While routers can last for years without needing a replacement, keep in mind that some problems can develop with age — a router may start lacking support for new device updates and similar issues that prevent it from working properly (as seen when Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme, for example). That’s a sign that it’s time to look for a new router.

The satellite routers on my mesh network aren’t connecting

Make sure that your satellite devices are powered up and turned on. If they are, try unplugging and replugging the problematic device and see if it will connect to your network then. If your router app allows you to restart a Wi-Fi point (Google’s Home app, for example, allows this), then reboot that point and see if this helps, too.

Google also allows you to run a test to make sure the network is set up properly. You can find Wifi points on the Home app, under Test mesh . If the test comes back with a weak or failed connection, you should try repositioning your satellite routers to be closer to your primary router. This also is a good tactic for any mesh system that keeps dropping its satellite points — they could be too far away from the primary point.

You can also double-check to make sure that your satellite router devices have a different SSID than your primary router. If they were accidentally all assigned the same SSID, then the mesh network may not be able to coordinate properly.

If your router still seems unable to connect, then make sure that nothing significant has changed for your network settings. For example, if your ISP WAN (wide-area network) type changed for some reason, you may have to go back into the settings for the router and make sure that the right WAN setting is chosen.

There are additional special cases where certain Wi-Fi technology can interfere with mesh networks, so it’s also a good idea to contact router support directly and explain your situation if nothing is working.

My smart device isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi

First, make sure that your smart device and your router are both updated. Then try resetting your router  and rebooting your smart device. You can either unplug and plug in the smart device or check its app for a reboot option — the Google Home app, for example, has a Reboot tool under each device section that you can use.

If the device still isn’t connecting properly, try moving it next to the router and seeing if it connects then — distance and interference can make a difference, especially for smaller smart devices. You should also double-check to make sure that your smart device doesn’t need a Zigbee hub to operate , which is more common among older smart devices but a problem that still occasionally crops up.

If your smart device keeps dropping a Wi-Fi signal, especially during busy times of the day, check to see if your router supports automatic band switching for devices. If it does, try turning this feature off. Sometimes a router will try to switch a smart device to a different band, but the device isn’t ready for that, causing it to lose a connection. There may also be issues with connecting to a mesh router, and you may have to be very specific about your network connection to make smart devices work.

It’s also a good idea to check if your particular device is suffering from temporary bugs that make connecting to Wi-Fi difficult or impossible. Nest minis and HomePod minis have both encountered such errors in the past. In these cases, a fix is usually patched in before too long, so keep making sure that your device is updated. Sometimes operating system updates, like a new iOS patch , also can affect smart device performance.

There are a number of other router settings that may block smart devices, but they are manufacturer dependent. If you can’t find what’s wrong, contact your router manufacturer’s support and explain that you think your router is having trouble connecting.

My console can’t connect to Wi-Fi

Check social media and Downdetector to make sure nothing is wrong with your gaming platform — sometimes your Xbox or PlayStation can get online just fine, but Xbox Live or Playstation Network is down for any number of reasons, but they’re typically back up again after a short period.

If everything looks all right there, reboot both your router and your game console and see if they can successfully connect. This is also a good time to test your internet connection. Major systems like Xbox and PlayStation have an option in their Settings menu to test your internet connection. On PlayStation, head to Settings , then Network , then select Test Internet Connection . On Xbox, go to Profile & System , select Settings , and in the General section, select Network Settings , where you will find an option to Test Network Speed & Statistics . This can provide more information about what’s going wrong and even tips on what you may need to change.

If your console and router seem to be acting properly but Wi-Fi keeps dropping, you may want to try moving the two devices closer to each other to see if the Wi-Fi signal improves. Try to remove any material or objects between the console and router: Placing both in a high, clear location often brings the best results. You can also try reducing the number of other devices on the network, especially if they’re streaming.

Can’t connect to wireless printer

First, make sure you are trying to connect to your Wi-Fi and not via Wi-Fi Direct — they are two different technologies. We also highly suggest the traditional routine of turning everything off and back on again, especially if your printer has connected to Wi-Fi successfully in the past. If your printer is far away from your router and keeps running into Wi-Fi errors, try moving it to a closer position.

If it looks like your printer is connected to Wi-Fi but you can’t get it to work, head into your printer settings on your computer and make sure the correct default printer is selected. Microsoft also has some troubleshooters you can run  to see if they pick up on anything obviously awry.

It’s also a good idea to check your router security, firewalls, and VPN security to see if any of them are identifying the printer as a strange device and refusing a wireless connection. You may need to disable certain firewalls or reconfigure security protocols to use your printer successfully. When all else fails, uninstall your printer drivers and reinstall the more recent versions to see if this makes a difference.

And if your printer isn’t wirelessly enabled, consider upgrading to one that is. We have some recommendations for the best printers , laser printers , and multifunction printers  that can be used wirelessly and connect to your home network.

Can’t connect to a guest Wi-Fi network that I set up

Guest Wi-Fi networks allow you to share your Wi-Fi with others in a secure way that helps prevent security issues. You’ve probably seen it on business routers, but it can be set up on home routers, too. If someone is having trouble connecting to the guest network but otherwise the Wi-Fi seems to be working, there are a few things you can try.

First, if you just set up your guest network, wait a few minutes. It may take a little time for the network to show up. If the guest network is visible, take a minute to head into your router app and check settings. Settings like Public Wi-Fi Active and Allow Guests to Access My Local Network should always be enabled. If it’s still not working, reset your router and try again.

Keep in mind, some guest networks have a stricter limit on how many devices can use them. If you have over a dozen people already on the guest network, others may not be able to log on.

Wi-Fi 6 or 6E isn’t working, even with a Wi-Fi 6 router

Wi-Fi 6 offers a host of improvements from older Wi-Fi standards, including improved performance, less latency, and better security. But if you don’t think you’re getting Wi-Fi 6 features from a router that supports it, something could be wrong with your setup.

Do you have any extenders on your network? If those aren’t compatible with Wi-Fi 6, you won’t be able to enjoy Wi-Fi 6 speed and features. If your device has picked up the signal from an extender, Wi-Fi 6 benefits may not be making the trip.

Additionally, most devices will need at least partial support for Wi-Fi 6 features to be able to use them. Devices that are several years old may not be compatible with any Wi-Fi 6 changes. That includes your phone and laptop, as well as smart devices that you might be using.

Even desktop computers may struggle with this. Internal Wi-Fi adapters may struggle to pick up on Wi-Fi 6 benefits when you switch to a new router, even if they are technically compatible. You should update your Wi-Fi drivers to fix any potential issues.

Can’t find a router with Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 7 is the next generation of wireless technology, and it’s technical name is 802.11be. It’s the successor to existing Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E routers, and will offer much greater performance, with up to 36 Gbps data transfer rates — that’s more than three times faster than Wi-Fi 6 speeds. It also lets devices use multiple frequencies simultaneously to better utilize available network bandwidth.

The only downside to this is that Wi-Fi 7 routers aren’t yet available at competitive prices. There are some Wi-Fi 7 routers, like the impressive TP-Link Deco BE85 , but that’s a $1,500 mesh router system and complete overkill for just about anyone.

You can expect to see more Wi-Fi 7 routers with more approachable price tags in the coming months.

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Whether you're designing it yourself or getting a pre-built PC, it can be easy to get a computer and realize that it doesn't have a native Wi-Fi adapter. Or, maybe it does, but you're internet speeds are getting faster, game downloads are getting bigger, you've already upgraded your router and need an adapter to match your newfound power requirements. No matter the situation, an external Wi-Fi adapter that you can add to your PC setup or even laptop setup will be worth your time. Here, we investigate the best Wi-Fi adapters for PC use. Most are incredibly affordable and just snap into a free USB port and start working. The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC in 2024

Buy the for the overall best Wi-Fi adapter for most people. Buy the as a good runner-up. Buy the for a convenient USB stick adapter on the affordable side. Buy the if you're having trouble with reception. Buy the for a miniature USB Wi-Fi adapter plug on the cheap. (Great for laptops!)

If you use a desktop PC or laptop for long enough, chances are you're going to come across one of the common GPU problems that have plagued gamers and workers since the humble graphics card debuted for the first time. The question is, do you know how to fix them? If not, never fear. We're here to help.

Whether you're encountering poor performance, overheating, visual artifacts, or a dreaded black screen, we're going to help you diagnose and fix these common GPU problems.

Your computer’s motherboard is one of the most vital components in your PC’s chain of command. Think of it as the brain of your entire system, handling everything from processors and graphics cards to power distribution and local memory. If your computer’s been running slower than normal, and you’ve done everything you can to clear your cache, cookies, and other digital debris, then there’s a good chance your motherboard may be the culprit. 

Fortunately, there’s a couple of methods you can use for getting your motherboard back in working order, and we’re going to walk you through each part of the process.

13 Ways to Fix Windows 11 Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

One of these will be the lucky one

Does your Windows 11 computer have trouble connecting to a particular Wi-Fi network? Or does the problem extend to all networks? We’ll explain why that happens and what you must do to get Windows 11 connecting to Wi-Fi again.

There are many reasons—trivial and complex—that result in Windows 11 not connecting to Wi-Fi. For example, it could be due to an incorrect password, a router-side issue, or a corrupt network configuration. Work through the solutions in this troubleshooting guide to fix Windows 11 when it fails to connect to Wi-Fi.

If you’ve yet to make the upgrade to Microsoft’s latest operating system, check out our Windows 10 Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide instead.

1. Check Your Wi-Fi Password

If you’re attempting to connect to a Wi-Fi network for the first time, make sure that the password you’re typing is accurate. Getting a single character wrong or mixing up upper and lower case will prevent your computer from joining the network.

2. Manually Connect to the Network

Although Windows 11 auto-connects to previously-saved wireless networks by default, you can’t always count on that happening. If your PC isn’t connecting to a network despite being in its vicinity, try connecting manually.

• Open the Quick Settings pane—select the Battery , Volume , or Network icon on the lower right corner of the taskbar—and expand the Wi-Fi category.
• Select the Wi-Fi network you want to connect to.
• Select Connect . You’ll be asked to update the password if it has changed since the last time you joined.

While at it, check the Connect automatically box for the network if it isn’t already active.

3. Toggle Airplane Mode On/Off

Toggling Airplane Mode on and off reboots your PC’s Wi-Fi adapter and resolves minor glitches, preventing Windows 11 from connecting to a network.

Just open the Quick Settings pane again and select the Airplane mode tile. Then, wait up to 10 seconds, and select it again.

4. Move Closer to the Router

Weak signal strength can stop your computer from joining a wireless network even if it appears on Windows 11’s Wi-Fi network list. Move closer to the router or access point until the signal indicator is at least two-thirds full before connecting to it again.

If the problem occurs on a home network, learn how to boost the Wi-Fi signal strength for better connectivity.

5. Restart Your Computer

Restarting your computer clears the RAM (random access memory) of obsolete temporary data and consequently fixes wireless connectivity issues that randomly crop up in Windows 11. Save your work, and then open the Start menu and select Power > Restart .

6. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes with a couple of built-in network troubleshooters capable of detecting and fixing persistent internet connectivity problems. To run them:

• Right-click the Start button and select Settings .

• Scroll down the System screen and select Troubleshoot .

• Select Other troubleshooters .

• Select Run next to the Internet Connections and Network Adapter (further down the list) troubleshooters.

Learn what to do if the Internet Connections or the Network Adapter troubleshooter throws a “Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error .

7. Forget and Reconnect to the Network

Another way to fix Wi-Fi connectivity issues specific to a network, assuming you’ve previously joined it, is to forget and reconnect. To do that:

• Open Settings and select Network & internet > Wi-Fi to visit your computer’s Wi-Fi settings screen.

• Select Manage known networks .

• Select Forget next to the network name.

• Restart your computer.
• Go to Quick Settings > Wi-Fi and rejoin the network connection.

8. Check for MAC Address Filtering

Wi-Fi networks can forbid devices from joining based on unique identifiers called MAC (media access control) addresses . Confirm that your PC is not barred from connecting if you have permissions to access the router settings .

• Open Settings and go to Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Hardware properties . Note the alphanumeric code next to Physical address ( MAC ) .

• Open a web browser and visit your router’s control panel.

• Look for a MAC Filter option under Security . If Filtering mode is set to Allow , add your PC’s MAC address to the exceptions list. If it’s set to Deny , remove the MAC address from the list.

9. Restart, Update, or Reset Your Router

If the problem persists but with a specific network only, try restarting the router, modem, or access point. If that does not help, visit the router settings and install any pending firmware updates. If there are no new updates, reset your wireless router or contact the ISP (internet service provider).

10. Update, Roll Back, or Reinstall the Wi-Fi Adapter Drivers

If your Windows 11 PC refuses to connect to multiple networks, it could be because of outdated, buggy, or corrupt network adapter drivers. Update, rollback, or reinstall those drivers.

Update Network Adapter Drivers

Newer network adapter drivers contain bug fixes that resolve intermittent Wi-Fi connectivity issues. To install them:

• Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager .
• Expand Network adapters .
• Note the network adapter’s name—e.g., Intel(R) Wi-Fi 6 AX201 16oMHz .

• Visit the network adapter’s manufacturer website—e.g., Intel —and download the latest drivers. If your computer can’t connect to other Wi-Fi networks or doesn’t support Ethernet, download the driver setup on another PC or Mac and copy it via USB.

• Run the setup file to update the drivers. Or, right-click the network adapter again in the Device Manager, choose Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers , and select the driver file you downloaded.

Roll Back Network Adapter Drivers

If the problem occurred after installing a newer network adapter driver, try rolling that adapter driver back to its previous version. To do that:

• Right-click the wireless adapter and select Properties .

• Switch to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver .

• Mark the radio button next to Previous version of the driver performed better / seemed more reliable and select Yes .

Reinstall Network Adapter Drivers

Reinstall your network adapter drivers to rule out corruption issues. To do that:

• Right-click the network adapter and select Uninstall device .

• Check the box next to Attempt to remove the driver for this device and select Uninstall again.

• Restart your computer, and Windows should automatically reinstall the network drivers at startup. To confirm, revisit the Device Manager, right-click Network adapters , and select Scan for hardware changes .

11. Update Windows to Its Latest Version

Updating Windows 11 to its latest version offers another way to fix Wi-Fi issues. If you can connect your PC to a different Wi-Fi network or is capable of using an Ethernet cable:

• Open the Settings app and select Windows Update on the sidebar.
• Select Check for updates .
• Select Download and Install .

If not, check your Windows version and download the latest update via the Microsoft Update Catalog on another PC. Then, copy the update file via USB and perform the update offline .

12. Reset the TCP/IP Stack

A broken TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack in Windows often results in numerous connectivity problems. Hence, the following fix involves resetting it to its defaults.

• Open the Start menu , type cmd , and select Run as administrator .

• Type the following command and press Enter :

ipconfig / flushdns

• Execute the two commands below one after the other:

netsh winsock reset catalog

netsh int ip reset

• Exit the Command Prompt.

13. Reset the Windows 11 Network Settings

If none of the fixes above help, it’s time to perform a total network settings reset in Windows 11 . You’ll lose all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords during the process.

• Open the Settings app and select Network and internet .
• Select Advanced network settings .

• Select Network reset .

• Select Reset now .

After the network settings reset, try connecting to an available Wi-Fi network. If a corrupt or conflicting network configuration was the source of the problem, you shouldn’t encounter Wi-Fi problems anymore.

Connecting to Wi-Fi But Not Internet?

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network doesn’t necessarily mean that your Windows 11 PC will have internet access. If you continue to see a Globe icon on the right corner of the taskbar, learn what to do to fix a computer that connects to Wi-Fi but can’t connect to the internet .

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn't hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube. Read Dilum's Full Bio

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How to Fix It When Your Laptop Won’t Connect to Wi-Fi

Even when your other devices are connecting fine

• University of Maine

• Wichita Technical Institute
• Wi-Fi & Wireless
• The Wireless Connection
• Routers & Firewalls
• Network Hubs
• Installing & Upgrading

Your laptop may not connect to Wi-Fi in a few ways:

• Your laptop may not see the available Wi-Fi network.
• When you try to connect to a Wi-Fi network, you may see it's connected, but there's no internet access.
• Your laptop may show an error saying authentication to the Wi-Fi network failed.

Issues with connecting to Wi-Fi typically occur when you're first trying to connect to a new network or after you've deleted a Wi-Fi connection and are trying to connect again.

Cause of Laptop Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

There are many potential causes when a laptop won't connect to Wi-Fi. The most common one relates to correctly authenticating with the target network.

Other possible causes include faulty Wi-Fi network configuration, a malfunctioning modem or router, corrupt or failing network hardware or drivers, or antivirus software or firewall blocking your connection.

How to Fix Laptop Not Connecting to Wi-Fi

This issue applies to laptops running Windows, Mac, or Linux. These fixes may also work for other devices like smartphones or tablets.

Does your laptop not connect to Wi-Fi when other devices will? If this is the case, you can step the first step below. You should only restart your modem and router if no device can connect to the network. Otherwise, you'll need to troubleshoot the laptop itself.

Restart your modem and router . When left running for long periods, a modem and router can fail and either drop its internet connection or drop the Wi-Fi network. A reset will often repair this issue. If all your devices still can't connect to Wi-Fi, you may need to do a hard reset of your router or reconfigure your router .

Ensure Wi-Fi is turned on . If your laptop has a hardware switch to control Wi-Fi, make sure this is on.

If you've configured your Wi-Fi adapter so that it doesn't automatically connect to your Wi-Fi network , you'll need to connect manually.

Move your laptop closer to the Wi-Fi router. If you can't reposition your laptop, make sure your router is in the best location in your home so all devices can connect to it.

Check your Wi-Fi network connection password . If your password is wrong (or someone changed it), you won't be able to connect.

Don't see the Wi-Fi connection at all? Add a new Wi-Fi network , select your home Wi-Fi, and type the correct password to connect.

Reboot your Windows laptop or reboot your Mac . You can reboot a Linux laptop from the command line .

Change your laptop's Wi-Fi channel . Most users keep their Wi-Fi adapter working on the 2.4 GHz band, but the 5 GHz band may be required to connect to your network.

Reset your Wi-Fi driver . Doing this will clear the network cache and hopefully remove any connection errors.

Update your Wi-Fi driver . Network connection issues often result from outdated Wi-Fi drivers, and an update can resolve this. To simplify this process, you could use free driver updater tools to update all drivers on your laptop at once.

Release and renew your IP address . You'll do this using the IPCONFIG command , which will drop any IP address your router has registered for your device and create a new one. It could clear any issues your router may have in allowing the connection from your old IP address.

Run the network troubleshooter . You can access this by right-clicking the network connection and choosing Diagnose, Repair, or Diagnose and Repair. On Mac, this tool is called the Wireless Diagnostics app . These built-in troubleshooting tools will often automatically resolve any Wi-Fi connection problems.

Disable your antivirus or firewall software. You'll also want to try disabling the Windows firewall and turning off Windows Defender .

If your hotel limits the Wi-Fi connection to one device only and you've already logged on with another gadget, try disconnecting on that device and connecting to hotel Wi-Fi using the laptop. If you have two Windows laptops, you could share the connection by  turning a laptop into a Wi-Fi extender ; go to  Settings  >  Network & internet  > and toggle on  Mobile hotspot .

Some public networks require agreeing to terms of service on an authorization page to connect; open a web browser if this page doesn't automatically launch or forget the network and try reconnecting. Select the  Wi-Fi  icon >  Open Network Preferences  >  Advanced  > and choose the  minus sign  beside the name to  delete a network on a Mac . Or, right-click the network icon in the taskbar and select  Network and internet settings  >  Wi-Fi  >  Manage known networks  >  Forget  to  forget a network in Windows 11 . 

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How to diagnose and fix Wi-Fi network problems using a Windows 10 PC

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Good home Wi-Fi is a necessity for the modern professional. With more people working from home than ever before due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wi-Fi can be the difference between a good day’s work and a frustrating, unproductive few hours.

Unfortunately, Wi-Fi has become the remote professional’s coronavirus paradox: It’s absolutely necessary for work, but more people working from home means more Wi-Fi networks congesting the average neighborhood, more bandwidth being used, and less Wi-Fi reliability.

SEE: Future of 5G: Projections, rollouts, use cases, and more (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Luckily, some of the most common Wi-Fi problems are easily fixed. Not all of them, of course: If your connection is slow whether you’re wired or wireless, there’s probably too many people using the internet in your area, and no one short of your ISP can resolve that issue.

How to choose the right Windows 10 Wi-Fi analytics tool

Unlike macOS, Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in wireless diagnostics tool . There are a lot of third-party options to choose from, but when it comes to doing something as sensitive as scanning all of the devices on a network and compiling data about the machine the app is running on you want a trusted program. For that, it’s best to look in the Microsoft Store , where apps have to pass a certification test prior to being published.

For this guide, I’m using one of the most popular wireless diagnostics tools for Windows 10, WiFi Analyzer by Matt Hafner ( Figure A ). WiFi Analyzer is free with premium options available, but all of the essential tools you need to diagnose common Wi-Fi problems are included with the free version.

How to assess your signal strength with WiFi Analyzer

When you open WiFi Analyzer you’ll be greeted with the screen in Figure B , which shows a variety of information about your Wi-Fi connection, like your network, its channel, your device ID, and other details. All of the data presented on this screen is displayed in real time.

At the top of Figure B you’ll notice a circle that reports on the quality of your connection, a bar that shows your RSSI, and four icons. The icons are highlighted orange (from left to right) if WiFi Analyzer thinks you have a bad connection, are on a bad channel, don’t have internet access, or if your connection isn’t secure.

The circle with a percentage in it reflects whether or not your connection can be improved, and is a visual representation of the quality of your connection. If it appears orange (as it does in Figure B ), that’s because one of the four conditions shown in the icons isn’t met, or your RSSI is out of acceptable range.

RSSI is a reading of signal strength measured in dBm, and scales from 0, being the best, to -120, which is the worst. Typically, you’ll find signal ranges in the -80 dBm to -40 dBm. If you get much lower than -80 you’ll probably notice connection problems.

The information displayed on this screen updates in real time, so if you notice that your signal isn’t good try moving closer to your Wi-Fi router. The number on the bar should move toward 0. If your router isn’t in a good spot, and you can’t realistically move your computer, try moving the router to see if your signal strength gets stronger or weaker.

How to figure out what Wi-Fi channel to switch to

Wi-Fi channels are small slices of the overall Wi-Fi frequency band that routers can broadcast and computers can tune in to. Routers can simultaneously operate on the same channel, but the more routers on a single channel the more noise is generated, which can degrade signal strength and make internet connectivity spotty and unreliable.

You may have noticed that the star icon in Figure B was orange, indicating that my Wi-Fi wasn’t on the best channel.

If you click on the Analyze tab in WiFi Analyzer you’ll be shown a graph of all the Wi-Fi channels on your band (2.4GHz or 5GHz), and which networks are using them ( Figure C ).

The Analyze screen is an excellent way to visualize which channels are crowded in your area, and it also recommends which channel to switch to, shown on the bottom of the screen. In Figure C , you can see that my current connection is the strongest on Channel 1, but also that Channel 1 is quite congested, as are channels 6 and 8. WiFi Analyzer recommends switching to channel 11, because even though there are several other networks using that channel their strength is fairly weak, meaning they’re less likely to interfere with my signal.

For this example I’m using a 2.4GHz network because it better illustrates network congestion. If you click on the 5GHz button on the bottom of the screen the view will switch over to nearby 5GHz signals ( Figure D ), but will only give a channel recommendation if you switch to a 5G connection.

If WiFi Analyzer tells you that there’s a better channel to switch to there are two ways to go about doing it.

First, and easiest, is all dependent on the type of Wi-Fi router you have. Some routers are designed to search for the best channel whenever they power up, so the first thing you can try is rebooting your Wi-Fi router and checking to see what WiFi Analyzer says about your connection when it restarts.

SEE: Return to work: What the new normal will look like post-pandemic (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

If your router is configured to automatically search for the best channel you should see it on WiFi Analyzer’s recommended channel, or whichever one the router thinks is best. If a reboot doesn’t change the channel despite WiFi Analyzer showing it to be quite crowded then you probably don’t have automatic channel searching enabled or available on your router.

Without automatic channel finding, you’re stuck changing your router’s channel yourself. The way this is done is to log in to your Wi-Fi router using its IP address or login page URL, both of which vary based on the type of router you have. To find out how to log in to, and change settings on, your Wi-Fi router you’ll need to consult the manufacturer’s website or documentation that came with it.

If you want to learn more about how to read the various bits of information in WiFi Analyzer, be sure to click on the Learn tab, which will direct you to a variety of resources and WiFi Analyzer tutorials from Matt Haffner, who built the app.

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How to Fix WiFi Connection Issues on a Laptop

Last Updated: May 4, 2024 Fact Checked

Windows Laptops

Expert q&a.

This article was written by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA . Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 130,395 times.

Are you trying to figure out why your Windows laptop or MacBook isn't connecting to Wi-Fi? There's nothing more frustrating than not having internet access when you need it. But don't worry—there's usually an easy fix! This wikiHow article will teach you how to troubleshoot and fix your Wi-Fi connection on any PC or Mac laptop.

Ways to Troubleshoot Your Laptop

• See if your laptop's Wi-Fi switch/button (near the keyboard) is turned on. It'll be lit up when it's activated.
• Reboot your computer and see if that resolves your Wi-Fi connection issues.
• Hit the globe icon (signifying no internet access) and see if the Wi-Fi tile looks grayed out. If so, click it to switch on your WiFi.

• Click the "No internet access" icon, which looks like a globe, on the taskbar near the clock. [2] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source If you don't see it, click the up-arrow to expand the overflow icons.
• If the Wi-Fi tile is gray or deactivated, click it to turn on Wi-Fi.
• While you're here, make sure Airplane Mode is disabled—if the tile is illuminated, click it to turn it off.

• If you're using Windows 11, after clicking the "No internet access" icon, click the right-arrow next to the Wi-Fi tile to bring up the list of networks.
• If you don't see the network you want to connect to, try moving closer to the wireless access point.
• If you are connected to a wireless network but unable to browse the web, click Disconnect on the network name, and then click Connect to reconnect.

• Right-click the "No internet access" icon near the clock and select Network and Internet Settings .
• Click Wi-Fi .
• Click Manage known networks .
• Click Forget on the network you can't connect to.
• Close this window, and then click the "No internet access" icon and try to connect to the network again. You will need to reenter the password.
• Move away from devices that use 2.4GHz or 5.0GHz bandwidths, such as microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, 2-way radios, some tablets, Wi-Fi cameras, and unshielded power or video cables.
• Try to minimize physical obstructions as well, especially walls and furniture made of concrete, brick, marble/stone, metal, reflective glass, water, or ceramic tile.

• For example, if your wireless network is called Centurylink1234 5G and you also see Centurylink1234 2.4, disconnect from the 5G network and try connecting to the 2.4 network.
• If you have access to the router, you might want to change the router's channel to a less busy channel.

• Click the Windows Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon).
• Click Network & Internet .
• Click Status .
• Click Network troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Click System .
• Click Troubleshoot .
• Click Other troubleshooters .
• Click Network Adapter .
• Click Run and follow the on-screen instructions to repair issues.
• If the troubleshooter repairs issues, you should be able to connect to Wi-Fi.
• If the troubleshooter doesn't find any issues, restart your PC.

• Unplug the power cable from both the router and modem (if separate).
• If the light on your modem stays on, it probably has battery backup. Remove the battery for now.
• (If you have a separate modem) After 30 seconds, plug the modem back in to the power source and wait for it to boot back up. When the lights stop blinking, continue.
• Plug the router back in and allow it to boot up. This can take several moments.
• Reconnect your laptop to the Wi-Fi network and try to browse the web.
• If other devices (such as your phone or tablet) can connect to this network but your laptop can't, continue with this method. If the network isn't available for any devices, contact your internet provider for troubleshooting.

• Press Windows key + S and type device .
• Click Device Manager in the search results.
• Expand the Network adapters menu and select your Wi-Fi adapter.
• Right-click adapter and select Uninstall device .
• Check the box next to "Attempt to remove the driver software for this device" and click Uninstall .
• Reboot your laptop. When it comes back up, Windows will automatically install a new generic driver for your Wi-Fi card.
• If this resolves your problem, it's possible that a recent Windows Update is incompatible with your Wi-Fi card. [7] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source You can try updating the drivers to see if that resolves the issue. If the issue comes back, uninstall the driver again and reboot to use the generic driver until a fix is available.

• Open the Windows Start menu and go to Network & Internet > Status (Windows 10) or Advanced network settings (Windows 11) > Network reset .
• Click Reset now and choose Yes to confirm.
• When your PC restarts, try connecting to the Wi-Fi network again.

• If you can't connect to any Wi-Fi networks, there's likely a hardware issue with your laptop, and you should contact the manufacturer for service.
• If you can connect at a café, try checking for and installing Windows Updates . Then, head home and try connecting to your Wi-Fi again. If you still can't connect, contact your internet provider for assistance.

• When Wi-Fi is on, you'll see a list of all available access points. Click the network you want to join.

• Close all open apps.
• Press and hold the Option key while you click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar.
• Click Open Wireless Diagnostics .
• Follow the on-screen instructions to allow your Mac to test your wireless connection.
• If any issues are found, click the small "i" in a circle next to each issue found for instructions on how to proceed.

• Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences .
• Click Network .
• Click your Wi-Fi connection.
• Click Advanced and select TCP/IP .
• Click Renew DHCP Lease .

• Click Advanced .
• Select the Wi-Fi network and click the minus sign.
• Click Remove .
• Close all windows and then try to reconnect to the network. You will need to re-enter the Wi-Fi password if it was previously saved.

• If you can't connect at another location, there's likely a hardware issue with your MacBook, and you should contact Apple for service. [15] X Research source
• If you can connect at a café, check for and install any updates . [16] X Research source Then, try to connect to the original network again. If you still can't connect, there's likely an issue with your home Wi-Fi router—contact your internet provider for assistance.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-network-connection-issues-in-windows-166a28c4-14c1-bdb1-473c-09c1571455d8
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows-9424a1f7-6a3b-65a6-4d78-7f07eee84d2c#WindowsVersion=Windows_11
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows-9424a1f7-6a3b-65a6-4d78-7f07eee84d2c
• ↑ https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000150359/how-to-identify-and-reduce-wireless-signal-interference
• ↑ https://grok.lsu.edu/Article.aspx?articleid=19480
• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix-wi-fi-connection-issues-in-windows-9424a1f7-6a3b-65a6-4d78-7f07eee84d2c#WindowsVersion=Windows_10
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/quickly-change-settings-mchl50f94f8f/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/101589
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-wireless-diagnostics-mchlf4de377f/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/shut-down-or-restart-your-mac-mchlp2522/mac
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102480
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/mac/repair
• ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108382

About This Article

1. Check your laptop's Wi-Fi button or switch. 2. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. 3. Try disconnecting and reconnecting. 4. Reboot your computer. 5. Turn off your modem and router and turn them back on. 6. Forget and re-add the wireless network. 7. Run the network troubleshooter or wireless diagnostics. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Fix Network Connection Issues on Windows 10

Fix Network Connection Issues on Windows 10 (2021)

2. Once the Command Prompt window is open, begin typing in the IPconfig commands. The first command is ipconfig /release and it releases the current IP configuration.

Ping is not a troubleshoot resolver, but it’s a handy command to check the reliability of your network on Windows 10. From the response time, you can gauge if your PC needs network diagnosis or not.

Troubleshoot Network

If the methods above didn’t work, you could try out the built-in Windows troubleshooter to fix the network connection issues on Windows 10. Here is how you use it.

3. Finally, click on “Internet Connections,” and then click on “Run the troubleshooter.” It will detect the problem and will try to fix the issue automatically.

Reset Network Settings

Resolve Internet Connection Issues on Windows 10

Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.

None of these actually work… especially with a vpn that may be in use.

Aparently there is a fix for the ICON that says “no connectivity” but you actually are connected…

Thank you for sharing this. Now I can fix my network connection issue easily.

Add new comment

How to Fix an Unstable Wi-Fi Connection: 6 Tips and Fixes

Learn how to fix an unstable internet connection by changing the settings on your Wi-Fi router.

Wondering why your network is unstable? Unstable Wi-Fi often starts with wireless congestion, which is common in busy areas.

In essence, having too many competing Wi-Fi signals can negatively impact the connection speed. However, there are ways to fix an unstable Wi-Fi connection and restore normal connection speeds. But keep in mind, that Wi-Fi instability can arise from other causes, such as a Windows update, arcing electricity, weather phenomenon, and more.

Unstable Wi-Fi Is Caused by Wireless Interference

Wireless congestion is caused by issues with two factors: frequency overlap and limited Wi-Fi channels.

1. Wireless Overlap

Imagine an old car radio. Rotating the station dial sometimes plays a muddled combination of two different radio stations. That's because two radio towers can operate on the same frequency channel. The same is true for Wi-Fi routers: when two or more routers transmit on the same channel, they slow each other down and cause unstable connections.

The problem is worst in dense living spaces. For example, in an apartment complex, dozens of routers can transmit on the same channel. Even modern Wi-Fi technology, which breaks each band into channels, can't cope with that level of interference.

2. Wi-Fi Channels

Like radio, Wi-Fi is broken up into frequencies on the gigahertz (GHz) spectrum of 2.4GHz and 5GHz for Wi-Fi 5 and 6. If you have Wi-Fi 6E, you'll get access to the newly available 6GHz band . Each frequency is broken up into smaller increments called channels .

The 2.4GHz frequency suffers from the worst congestion because of its limited number of channels and long range. While 2.4GHz has 11 channels , only three of these are non-overlapping. That means speed and connection quality suffer when there are more routers in the same area.

5GHz, on the other hand, offers 23 non-overlapping channels. It also suffers from a shorter range, meaning fewer overlapping radio signals. It's a lot like AM and FM radio, where the longer-range AM has poorer audio fidelity, and FM sounds great, but it comes at the expense of range.

Fortunately, you can change your router's channel the same way you can change a radio dial. It works like this: identify which channels aren't congested and switch your device over to it. If that doesn't work, consider upgrading your router to a 5GHz or 6GHz model.

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E Routers Offer Excellent Stability

A 6GHz, Wi-Fi 6E model router has distinct advantages over its predecessors. The 6GHz spectrum is new enough that few consumers have access to it. That means it's unlikely to suffer from interference issues. However, if you own a Wi-Fi 6E router, which offers a 6GHz band, it has slightly more channels than Wi-Fi 5. According to the Wi-Fi Alliance's 6E specifications , a 6E router can access 14 "fat" 80Hz channels or seven "super-wide" 160Hz channels. As wider channels are faster, 6E offers both speed and reliability.

3. USB 3.0 Devices and Cables Generate Wireless Interference

Another source of wireless interference is radiation generated by un-shielded USB 3.0 cables and devices. Thanks to a bug in the USB 3.0 standard, which is discussed in an Intel White Paper PDF , some cables emit a very short-range 2.4GHz radiation, trampling over the signals of Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless devices. There are several possible fixes:

• Unplug your USB 3.0 devices and check if your wireless signal improves
• Buy shielded cables
• Move your wireless receivers away from USB 3.0 cables and devices using extension cables
• Move USB dongles as far away as possible from antennas or USB transmitters/receivers

Just a note on shielded cables: they have a layer of metal that protects the cable from external wireless interference. But that layer of metal also prevents the cable from functioning as an antenna for 2.4GHz radiation. Aside from cables, a lot of poorly designed dongles and USB devices also emit interference when plugged into a USB 3.0 port. So simply unplugging all your dongles sometimes improves wireless connectivity on the 2.4GHz spectrum.

How to Fix Your Unstable Wi-Fi Connection Using Wi-Fi Analyzer

There are numerous Wi-Fi network analyzers with similar functionality, but we're going to use Wi-Fi Analyzer for this short guide.

1. Download and Install Wi-Fi Analyzer

On Windows, many free apps can analyze the quality of wireless channels. One of the best options is Wi-Fi Analyzer, which is available on the Microsoft Store. For those without Windows, search your respective operating system's app store for "Wi-Fi Analyzer," and you'll see dozens of options.

Download : Wi-Fi Analyzer for Windows (Free)

If you have Windows but can't access the Microsoft Store, I recommend NirSoft's WifiInfoView . Both Wi-Fi analysis apps work essentially the same way.

2. Detect Unstable Wi-Fi

Using Wi-Fi Analyzer is dead simple. Just install and run the app. After installation, you can launch it by going to Windows Search ( Windows key + S ) > Wi-Fi Analyzer.

The tool should detect your Wi-Fi signal strength, ranging from zero to -100 decibel milliwatts (dBm). If you have a 5GHz network, a toggle at the bottom of the app interface allows you to switch between detecting 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

To analyze your wireless router's signal quality, take the following actions:

Click on Analyze in the top menu bar.

Wi-Fi Analyzer then displays a visualization of the Wi-Fi networks in your vicinity. If two networks broadcast on the same channel, you'll notice overlap. Each channel has a number between one and 161 on the 5GHz frequency and one through 11 on the 2.4GHz frequency.

Here's what it looks like when two networks overlap:

The X-axis represents the channels available on the 2.4GHz spectrum. As you can see, channels four to seven are unoccupied . Channels five and six have no competition whatsoever. Given the app's analysis, I should change my router's 2.4GHz channel to either five or six.

But how do you change your router's channel?

3. How to Change Your Router's Channel

Accessing your router's settings requires a browser like Chrome or Microsoft Edge. Accessing its settings, unfortunately, varies between different router models, but some general rules apply.

• Netgear routers : In your browser, navigate to https://routerlogin.net
• TP-Link routers : In your browser, navigate to https://tplinklogin.net
• Linksys routers : In your browser, navigate to 192.168.1.1 .

You can complete an internet search to find the login URL for your specific router brand and model.

Most routers use "admin" as the login and "password" as the password. The login details may also be printed on the back of the router or in the instruction manual that came with it. If you cannot access your router, try searching the internet for your individual router's access method.

For my own Telus router, changing the Wi-Fi channel is easy. First, I navigate to the router login address and enter my login and password. Changing the channel is usually located under Wireless Settings > Advanced Settings .

I then change the network channel to the option which offers a good connection, save the settings, and restart the router by power cycling it (turning it off and on again). Afterward, it stopped randomly disconnecting.

One thing to mention is that most modern routers include a dual-band feature that combines 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies onto a single network name or SSID. This feature is notoriously unreliable, and if you're having network problems, I suggest disabling it if nothing else works. On a Telus router, it's referred to as SmartSteering . Other brands have completely different names.

Once disabled, you'll see your 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands as separate networks.

Why Is My Network Unstable? How to Fix Unstable Wi-Fi

If your Wi-Fi sucks, a Wi-Fi analysis app is the best way to find out your router's ideal network channel settings. If you're still getting unreliable internet after changing your router's channel, consider looking into the USB 3.0 bug. But if all your attempts to fix the issue fail, the best solution is to upgrade your router to Wi-Fi 6 or 6E model, but only if your devices support it.

It's worth noting that Wi-Fi 6 routers sometimes offer a wider range of channels, compared to older Wi-Fi 5 routers. As such, an upgrade of your network hardware can clean up a lot of problems that channel tweaks cannot.

The Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Home WiFi and Router Issues

• Tyler Cooper
• Restarting your router is the simplest way to solve Wi-Fi issues.
• Learning your router’s icons will help you diagnose any problems.
• Placing your router in a centralized and open area is essential for the best connection speed and stability.
• Speed tests and other diagnostic programs are useful tools for assessing your network connection.
• The best mesh Wi-Fi networks offer extensive coverage and the quickest speeds for your home.

Ninety-nine percent of home Wi-Fi issues can be fixed by unplugging the router, waiting five seconds, then plugging it back in. This resets the device and frequently improves the speed. But if that doesn’t fix your problem, this guide will provide you a to-the-point reference for dealing with some of the most common home Wi-Fi issues, such as the Wi-Fi not working, slowing down, disappearing, or not connecting with devices.

Keep reading to find out what to do if your connection is running slower than usual, as well as how to troubleshoot a network that won’t connect at all. We’ll also take a look at several tools you can use to help troubleshoot your connection no matter what problems crop up.

Table of Contents

Home wi-fi quick fix, understanding your router’s icons, how to troubleshoot wi-fi, tools for wi-fi troubleshooting, ways to boost your speeds or wi-fi reach, why does my computer keep disconnecting from wi-fi.

• If All Else Fails, Contact Your Service Provider

If your wireless connection suddenly stops working, restart your router before trying anything else. Here’s the process:

• Unplug or power off your router.
• Wait two to five minutes before plugging it back in.
• Wait five more minutes and retry the connection.

In most cases, this should fix your issue and allow you to get back online. If you go through these steps and something still isn’t working, you may need to contact your internet service provider for assistance.

Most routers have a series of icons that illuminate to convey different status messages at a glance. Though these can vary from brand to brand, most manufacturer’s include at least three primary status indicators:

Interpreting the Colors of Your Router’s Lights

Important note : In order to be clear on what your specific device is communicating to you, refer to the user manual for a more detailed explanation.

Pro tip: You can usually find a digital copy of your router’s manual by typing your device model number followed by “user manual” into Google.

If you’ve tried the quick fix above to no success, there are still several other ways you may be able to troubleshoot your Wi-Fi connection. In order to identify the technique most likely to actually help you, let’s break down some common issues:

“I’m experiencing slower-than-normal network speeds.”

Try this: Plug an ethernet cable directly into your router and test your internet speeds using our speed test tool . Next, test your speeds on the Wi-Fi connection. If they’re both slow, the issue is likely with your service provider and not your equipment. Give them a call.

If the hardwired connection is much faster than the wireless one, however, there may be more you can do to optimize your network. Wired connections will usually always be faster than wireless in some capacity, but the difference shouldn’t be so vast that your Wi-Fi is unusable. First, try moving your router to a more central location in your home. If that’s not an option, it may be worth exploring how to extend your Wi-Fi connection to all areas of your home.

Also, you might be encountering interference from networks adjacent to yours. If you think this may be the case, you can try changing the channel your router is broadcasting on. For starters, you’ll want to use the 5 GHz band whenever possible, if your router supports it. These tend to be less congested and therefore better performing than their 2.4 GHz counterparts.

“I have no internet connection at all.”

Try this: Plug an ethernet cable into your router and see if you’re able to get a signal on a desktop or laptop. If you can’t, your access has been cut and you should contact your ISP.

If you’re able to load web pages through a hardwired connection, there’s definitely something wrong with your Wi-Fi network. If restarting the router didn’t fix the issue, you may need to set it up again completely. Most routers have a small “reset” button that needs to be held down with a paperclip or other small object. Doing this will restore the device to factory settings and you’ll be able to go through the first-time setup once again.

If you’ve been through this process and still can’t get connected, you’ll likely need to contact your ISP for help. You could have an unpaid balance that has caused the company to suspend your account, or there might simply be an outage in your area.

“My Wi-Fi network disappeared completely.”

Try this: Check to see where your router is positioned. If it’s somewhere cramped, such as behind a couch or crammed into a storage closet, it might’ve overheated and shut down automatically to prevent any damage.

If you’re able to move your router to a place with more airflow, you should be able to solve the overheating issue. If you feel that your router is positioned in a good location and that overheating isn’t the problem, there are a few other things that could be happening.

For one, your network may have reset itself due to an update. Take a look at the default network name (usually printed somewhere on the router itself) and see if you recognize that network when looking for a connection.

“My phone/laptop/tablet won’t connect even though my other devices are fine.”

Try this: Turn off the offending device and turn it back on. You can also try turning the Wi-Fi off and on again in the settings of your device, just to be thorough.

If this doesn’t help, you may need to delete your network from the device entirely. On an iOS or Android device, you can simply click on the network name and hit “Forget This Network.” This means you’ll have to find the network again and put the password in like you did the first time you set it up, but it should solve any remaining connection issues in the process.

Our speed test tool allows you to see how your current network is performing in terms of both upload and download speeds. You can use this at any time to test the quality of your connection, and if you’re having any issues, you can use it to gauge your progress on getting them resolved. You can also use Speed Test periodically to see if you’re really getting the speeds that you’re paying for (look at your bill for payment info). Just remember that using Wi-Fi will always slow things down a little bit.

You can also run speed tests on different devices and from different locations. If the speed is sluggish on one device or in one location but not the others, that indicates an issue specific to the device or location.

Wireless Diagnostics (Mac)

The network diagnostics tool is a robust program that allows you to get a clear picture of your network health, as well as troubleshoot any issues you may be experiencing. You can find this program by hitting “command” plus “spacebar” and typing “Wireless Diagnostics” into the search bar.

When you first open the program, it will scan your immediate area for any available Wi-Fi networks. Once this is done, you’ll be presented with two options: monitor my Wi-Fi connection and continue to summary. Choose neither of these. Instead, at the top of your screen, select “Scan” from the Window drop-down menu. You will see a list of networks. Select “Scan Now.”

The service will then show you a full list of connections around you, including what channel they are operating on. The program will also show you the best channels for both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands based on network congestion. In order to actually change the channels your router is operating on, you’ll need to Google search the brand of the device followed by “IP address.” You will then type this in just like you would any regular website.

NirSoft (Windows)

NirSoft functions very similarly to the wireless diagnostics tools for Mac, scanning your Wi-Fi environment and displaying all available networks, as well as a number of useful statistics for each. You’ll still need to log into your router’s control panel to actually change its configuration.

NetSpot (Mac & Windows)

NetSpot is a fantastic alternative to both options above and even features some additional tools that intermediate users may find valuable. Above and beyond being able to view detailed information about your network, NetSpot also allows you to visualize its footprint in your home, showing you any dead zones and weak points that need to be patched up. Available as a free download, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more feature-complete troubleshooting program.

A little more speed or reach makes a big difference. To inject more oomph into your internet, try boosting your Wi-Fi signal and speeds with the following methods:

If your router is in a corner, closet, drawer, or non-central location, move it to a more open, central spot in the home (not the kitchen though. There is too much potential for liquid messes and signal interference from metal appliances). WiFi signals are stronger when they don’t have to travel through walls or floors, and a central location means better access to more devices. If your home is three floors, the central location is the middle of the second floor. Alternatively, adjust the angle of the antenna on your router, and see if that helps. Use compressed air to get gunk off your router, too. For more speed with heavy usage devices such as online gaming consoles and video-streaming laptops, keep them as close as possible to the router.

This method also gives you an idea whether neighbors, visitors, hackers, and others are connected to your network. The main step to see connected devices is to access your router’s admin panel. Another guide we wrote covers how to get into the admin panel. It’s easier than it may seem! Here are some other links that may help:

• Netgear login tutorial
• Linksys login tutorial
• Asus login tutorial
• TP-Link login tutorial

You may see a lot of devices connected to your WiFi, whether they’re on the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band. Smart speakers, smart thermostats, security cameras, and other smart home-type devices tend to be a better fit for 2.4GHz. PCs, laptops, gaming consoles for online gaming, and smart TVs that stream a lot of video should usually go on 5GHz.

2.4GHz band: This band has better range, works well through walls, and tends to be slower than 5GHz. It may slow down noticeably if “cluttered” with too many baby monitors, Bluetooth devices, garage door openers, smart home devices, holiday lights, etc. More than 20 of these devices might be too much, although some WiFi networks can have 200+ devices connected to them and perform just fine. If too many smart devices is an issue for your system:

• Reduce video/picture resolution on doorbell cameras and video devices to speed up the WiFi.
• Use a smart home hub to take traffic off WiFi and Bluetooth, which helps with congestion and speeds.

Routers tend to choose bands automatically depending on how far away the device is when you connect to the network. Reallocating devices to different bands depends on your router. With some routers, you do it through software. Others, you flip a switch on the router. A few, especially some mesh systems, aren’t super user-friendly in this regard. “Trickery” might be necessary. For instance, devices tend to connect to 5GHz as the default. If you want them on the other band and they’re portable (say, a group of smart light bulbs), you could go to the edges of your WiFi coverage, where they “flip” over to 2.4GHz since the range is better. Finish setting up there, then put the devices where they are supposed to be. They will stay on the 2.4GHz band. If the devices are not portable, then temporarily unplug the router closest to the device or separate the router and device as much as you can. These tricks often force the 2.4GHz band to be used.

Wi-Fi extenders work similarly to boosters and repeaters. Basically, they extend or amplify the main Wi-Fi network and create a second network. They’re useful if the main Wi-Fi signal is weak and you have just one dead zone (a mesh system may work better if the home has multiple dead zones). Extenders plug into outlets and resemble air fresheners. Extenders do create second networks, some with different names. It’s not always convenient to connect to two networks from the same house, so look for extenders that use the same network name when rebroadcasting. Also, while extenders extend the reach of your network, speeds may slow a bit. A mesh network enhances range without sacrificing speed and changing network names, so we touch on that in a bit.

It could be time for a change if you lived in a small apartment and took your router along to your new, much larger home. Bigger homes might need mesh routers or routers that can pair with repeaters/extenders to help WiFi signals reach farther. Before upgrading, though, especially if the space to cover has not changed, try moving the router if it’s in a closed location, and blast any dust buildup with compressed air.

>> Related Reading:   The Best Wi-Fi Routers, Tested and Reviewed

Upgrading to mesh makes sense if your Wi-Fi connection is strong in some places but weak or dead in others. You may need mesh for coverage in large homes, multistory homes, and garages that are not close to the router. In a mesh network, a primary router and satellite nodes or modules coordinate to deliver speedy, efficient Wi-Fi. You put the nodes in different areas throughout your house, and each node is capable of broadcasting Wi-Fi. Mesh systems have become much more affordable, but you may be disappointed if you go entry-level. Plan to spend about $400 for impressive results. Look for two main features:

• Triband (three bands instead of two): The third band is another 5GHz band, and it’ll speed up communications between the primary router and the satellites.
• Wi-Fi 6: Wi-Fi 6 is more secure, efficient, and speedy compared with Wi-Fi 5. Wi-Fi 6 also handles traffic and congestion better. It has been available for a few years, but nowadays more and more devices support it. There’s also Wi-Fi 6E, which is even newer and stronger. Fewer devices support it, so don’t get your hopes up too much for that just yet (If you’re an avid online gamer, 6E can make a big difference and is worth further investigation).

If you live with a bunch of roommates or relatives who love streaming and gaming, all of you may need to agree on some guidelines or take turns using the internet connection. Of course, first try suggestions such as restarting the router, moving it to a central place, running speed tests, and using an extender for a dead zone. Do avoid putting your router in the kitchen, as microwaves and metal appliances can mess with the signal. So can liquids and food that get spilled on the router. Otherwise, here are ideas for Wi-Fi sharing and communication:

• Limit certain activities to certain times (perhaps downloading online games during the wee hours when everyone is asleep). Be aware that torrenting (while also being illegal) is a huge bandwidth hog.
• Give a heads up before hopping onto Zoom or any high bandwidth activity so that everyone else in the home doesn’t try to Zoom, FaceTime, and livestream classes all at once.
• If you live in a multi-family residence, ask your housemates to not share your Wi-Fi passwords with others in the building.
• Agree to dial back the graphics, for instance, by streaming in standard definition instead of 4K or Ultra HD.
• Pay a bit more money per resident for more bandwidth..

(more common if you’re in an apartment building and experiencing frequent Wi-Fi disconnects or out of range or weak Wi-Fi signals). By default, U.S. routers tend to be automatically set to channels 1, 6, and 11, especially 6. Assume that everyone else in the building is on these channels. Manually adjust your router so it is on channel 1, and retest your WiFi until you find a channel it works well on. Or, use a third-party app that shows the channels around you and helps find a less crowded channel.

If your internet plan has certain limits, then you are unlikely to get more. Say that you’ve been content with web surfing and some video streaming here and there at 25 Mbps max for the past few years. You’ve recently gotten into online gaming, and your new partner and stepchildren, all of whom love streaming movies, moved in. You may need a new plan that can support both online gaming and streaming in 4K, giving you speeds of 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps. Now, if you’re doing a lot of live streaming all of the sudden, perhaps taking online classes live every day or doing Twitch broadcasting, you might need speeds up to 150 Mbps or even 200 Mbps. However, if you cannot afford to upgrade your plan, you may still be able to improve your internet speeds. “If budget is a limiting factor, it’s best to call the service provider to see if there are faster plans that you can upgrade to,” said Mark Chen, founder and CEO of GetBillSmart. “Sometimes you’re stuck on a legacy plan that they can easily upgrade you to. You can also threaten to cancel to get a better deal and use those savings to get faster speeds.”

Once you’ve resolved the issue by following one of the above steps, make sure to secure your wireless home network to prevent hackers or neighbors from accessing your Wi-Fi.

If you find that you are consistently getting booted from your Wi-Fi network, there are a few things that could be happening. We recommend looking for any patterns in the service disruptions. Do they only happen at a certain time of the evening? Maybe it even drops when you pop something into the microwave? Believe it or not, there are many signals from Bluetooth devices, baby monitors, and smart lights constantly flowing through your home that can disrupt your internet connection.

If you’ve ruled out network interference using the tools listed above, you may need to try updating your router’s firmware. This is essentially the device’s “operating system,” and like any other piece of software, it needs to be updated from time to time to keep functioning properly.

If you’ve updated your firmware and are still getting disconnects, you may need to consider replacing the router outright, especially if it’s more than a few years old. Routers are computers, and computers unfortunately do tend to fail after a few years. If you’ve been renting a modem and router from your ISP, it might be better to invest in your own equipment since ISPs tend to rent out old hardware.

Firmware Updates by Brand

How to log into your router’s control panel.

Click on your router’s brand below to see in-depth instructions on how to log in to its configuration area, where you can adjust network passwords and names, as well as change the channels they are operating on.

• NETGEAR login tutorial

If All Else Fails, Contact Your Service Provider.

Though technical support from many companies can be a hit or miss experience, if you’ve tried everything above and nothing seems to be working, it might be best to simply reach out to request a tech to come to your home and sort the issue out directly. This may entail a service fee of some kind, but if it gets you back online, it’ll be worthwhile in the end.

Tech Support Phone Numbers for Common ISPs:

• AT&T Internet tech support: (800) 288-2020
• CenturyLink tech support: (888) 723-8010
• Cox tech support: (800) 234-3993
• Frontier tech support: (888) 884-0504
• Hughesnet tech support: (866) 347-3292
• Mediacom Cable tech support: (800) 883-0145
• Rise Broadband tech support: (877) 910-6207
• Spectrum tech support: (855) 757-7328
• Suddenlink Communications tech support: (877) 794-2724
• TDS tech support: (866) 571-6662
• Verizon Fios tech support: (800) 837-4966
• Viasat tech support: (855) 463-9333
• Windstream tech support: (800) 347-1991
• WOW! tech support: (855) 496-9929
• XFINITY tech support: (800) 934-6489
• The Ultimate Guide to Troubleshooting Home Wi-Fi and Router Issues

Offer Detail

10 ways to troubleshoot and fix any Wi-Fi problems you're encountering

• When you encounter Wi-Fi problems, you can try troubleshooting your network or devices, check with your internet service provider, and more.
• Start by eliminating obvious problems and making sure you know whether it's related to the Wi-Fi network, internet connection, one device or all devices. 
• Here are 10 ways to troubleshoot and solve Wi-Fi problems.  

It can be hard to imagine or remember the days before Wi-Fi , when you had to run Ethernet cables throughout the house to connect computers to the internet and carry files around on CDs and portable hard drives (affectionately known as "sneakernet"). 

These days, we take Wi-Fi for granted – right up until it stops working and brings our modern connected household to a complete stop. 

How to fix Wi-Fi problems

Here are 10 ways to troubleshoot and solve common Wi-Fi problems. 

Basic check: Is the Wi-Fi router running?

It's not out of the question for the plug to have been accidentally pulled or the cat to have stepped on the power button. Make sure the Wi-Fi router's lights are on. 

Is the issue related to one device or all devices?

Fixing computer problems like Wi-Fi connection issues often comes down to the process of elimination. That's why technical support technicians often start by asking silly and obvious questions like "is the computer plugged in?" Once you know the Wi-Fi is running, check to see if the problem happens on just one device or on all of them. If you can't connect on your laptop, for example, check your phone to see if you can see Wi-Fi signal strength bars.  

Send a ping to Google

One other easy thing you can check for: is the connection problem related to your Wi-Fi network or to your internet service provider's internet signal? Your Wi-Fi network might be fine, for example, but the ISP's internet may be out. To find out, run a ping test using a computer. 

1. On your PC, click the Start button search box and type "CMD," then press Enter. 

2. In the Command Prompt window, type "ping Google.com."

3. Wait for the result. 

If you see an error message, you might not have a working internet connection; continue troubleshooting in the next section. If you see a reply from Google, then you have a working internet connection and the problem lies elsewhere. 

You can also log into your account for your internet service provider to check if there's an outage in your area. With many providers, a banner will appear at the top of your account page notifying you of an outage, or you can search for an outage map on the site.

Troubleshooting no service at all

This is unfortunately one of the more common problems people run into — the internet simply doesn't work at all. If none of the devices or computers on your Wi-Fi network can connect, reset both the internet router and Wi-Fi (this might be one device or two different ones). Unplug them, wait two minutes, and plug them back in. If your Wi-Fi doesn't start working again, the problem might be with your internet service provider — call customer service and let them troubleshoot. 

Resolving slow or spotty internet in certain rooms

If your Wi-Fi drops out in certain parts of the house on a regular basis, the problem is almost certainly a "dead zone" caused by a router that can't reach everywhere. If possible, move the router to a more central location in the house. Alternatively, you can add a Wi-Fi extender to increase the range of your router. 

Troubleshooting slow or spotty internet at certain times of day

If your connection problem isn't related to where you are in the house but is an intermittent problem at certain times of the day, the issue is likely related to a lack of bandwidth; too many devices are connected to the Wi-Fi network and using too much data. If three people are streaming Netflix on different devices at the same time, for example, there's your culprit. If possible, connect devices with an Ethernet cable so they aren't using Wi-Fi, or better yet, take one or more bandwidth hogs offline entirely. 

Is your connection slow because of the Wi-Fi network or the ISP?

If you have a connection that's noticeably slow, it can also be helpful to figure out if your poor performance is being caused by a slow internet connection provided by your ISP or if the Wi-Fi network in your home is not working properly. You can do this by running an internet speed test . Run the test at speedtest.net in any browser (on a computer or mobile device). If the internet speed seems normal (at least 10Mbps, for example) the issue is related to your Wi-Fi network, not the internet. Read our detailed guide on how to check the strength of your Wi-Fi for more information.

How to resolve issues with your router

It can be challenging to know exactly what is causing a problem with your Wi-Fi connection, and the router itself has some settings and configurations that might be "breaking" your Wi-Fi network. If possible, check on and update your router's firmware. Most modern routers work with a simple mobile app you can use to check on the firmware and install any available updates. This can resolve issues with your connection reliability and speed. In addition, you can probably use the app to change the channels your router is using to broadcast on its various bands. If your connection is slow or intermittent, changing the channels might significantly improve your Wi-Fi service. For more information, read our article on how to boost your internet connection .

What to do if one device has trouble connecting

Make sure the device's software is up to date. And if your router is a dual-band or tri-band device, try connecting to one of the other Wi-Fi bands. There are any number of reasons why a laptop might connect more easily to one of the 5GHz radios rather than the other, for example. 

What to do if your game console can't connect to Wi-Fi

Occasionally, consoles like the Xbox and PS4 can run into trouble connecting to Wi-Fi. Consoles can be affected by the same kind of glitches that affect PCs and mobile devices, but they generally only need to go to one internet location, so troubleshooting can be easier. Open a site like Downdetector in a web browser on your computer or a mobile device and use it to see if the Playstation Network or Xbox Live is down. If so, just wait for the site to come back up. Otherwise, reboot both the router and the console and move them closer together, if possible. 

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

'why isn't my internet working': how to identify why you can't connect to the internet and troubleshoot accordingly, how to boost your internet speed at home in 8 ways, and make sure you're not being overcharged for low speeds, 'what is a good internet speed': the internet speeds you should aim for, based on how you use the internet, how to find out how fast your internet is using a free and accurate google speed test, 'why won't my pc connect to wi-fi': 6 ways to troubleshoot your windows computer's internet connection.

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Wi-Fi problems? Here’s how to diagnose your router issues

Whenever someone sends me a question about how to fix their Wi-Fi, I wince. It’s not that I dislike helping people with their router problems. In fact, there are few geeky endeavors I find more rewarding than fixing Wi-Fi connection issues at a friend or family member’s home.

But Wi-Fi has always felt more like a dark art than a science, and it’s an art that’s hard to conjure without being physically present. Potential points of failure are everywhere, and what works well in one home might not in another. Even the reviewers of networking gear can reach drastically different conclusions about the very same product.

Wi-Fi is fundamentally at odds, then, with my desire to answer questions with specific recommendations. The best I can do is walk your through how I diagnose Wi-Fi problems myself. That way, you can make better decisions on whether (and how) to upgrade your own gear.

Further reading: The best mesh Wi-Fi routers

Size up the Wi-Fi problem

The first step to solving Wi-Fi issues is to see if the slowdown is coming from your cable modem (which brings internet service into the home) or from the router (which distributes Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the home).

Start by plugging a computer directly into your modem with an ethernet cable and running a speed test. (The easiest way is to do a Google search for “speed test,” then hit the blue “Run Speed Test” button atop the search results.) A USB-to-Ethernet adapter will be necessary for testing on computers that don’t have an ethernet port, but if that’s too much trouble or you don’t have a proper computer at all, you can also try calling your internet provider and asking them to test your internet speed remotely.

Running speed tests throughout the house can help you figure out where the Wi-Fi trouble spots are.

Jared Newman / Foundry

If wired connection speeds are on par with your internet provider’s advertised speeds, the next step is to start running speed tests throughout the house. Measure speeds around the area where connectivity feels slow, then work your way back to where the router is located, running multiple tests in each area as you go.

The goal here is to figure out where your connection troubles are occurring. Consistently slow speeds throughout the house may be a sign of an outdated router, while dead zones or range issues may require a more powerful router or mesh Wi-Fi system. (More on that shortly.)

Find your Wi-Fi router’s 802.11 version

To figure out whether a router needs replacing, it helps to know how old it is. One way to do this to locate the router’s model number—it’s likely printed on the router itself—then search the web for info about which version of Wi-Fi it supports. Here are the major Wi-Fi versions to know about:

• 802.11a/b/g: Extremely old and almost certainly the source of all your Wi-Fi problems.
• 802.11a/b/g/n (or just 802.11n): Outdated at this point and a solid candidate for replacement. Many of these routers only support a single frequency band that’s slower and more congestion-prone, and “dual-band” variants have limited range on the faster 5 GHz frequency band.
• 802.11ac (also marketed as Wi-Fi 5): Not the latest standard, but still widely available even in some high-performance routers.
• 802.11ax (or Wi-Fi 6): Routers using this standard started shipping in late 2020, so your router is likely quite new.
• Wi-Fi 6E: Congrats, you probably just bought a new router .

Wi-Fi versions alone aren’t an indicator of quality—a cheap Wi-Fi 6 router can be worse than a high-end mesh system with Wi-Fi 5—but each successive version has introduced new features that improve connectivity, and we’ve generally seen a push toward better performance over time.

Try some smaller router fixes

Just to rehash a tip I discussed back in July , sometimes changing your router’s channel and bandwidth settings can work wonders for reducing Wi-Fi interference, especially if you’re seeing inconsistent speeds on devices that aren’t too far from the router. By digging into your router’s settings, you can bypass automatic channel selection and find a channel that might be less congested.

You can also try some other little tweaks, like getting your router off the ground and clearing some space around it—but I wouldn’t start rearranging your room for the router’s sake. Chances are the improvements will be minimal. Of course, moving your router to a more central location in the home can help, but that would likely require having the cable company rewire your home internet connection.

Wi-Fi extenders: a last resort

Because replacing a router is a pain, a lot of folks wonder if they can just solve their problems with a Wi-Fi extender or repeater , which take the wireless signal from a router and rebroadcast it farther away. (“Extender” sometimes refers to a device with a wired connection to the router, though I often see both terms used interchangeably.)

My experience with Wi-Fi extenders is hit or miss. Wireless repeaters will always degrade whatever signal they receive, so the benefits can cancel out if you’re trying to address a dead zone or interference from other nearby wireless devices. The same is true with powerline adapters , which send a wired ethernet connection from your router to another part of the house through your wall outlets. Depending on how your house is wired, this approach can give you a weak connection or not work at all.

I don’t tell people to avoid extenders outright, because they can work in some scenarios, but keep your expectations low and be prepared to return the device if it doesn’t help. Here’s how to set up a Wi-Fi extender if you decide to go that route.

Picking a new Wi-Fi router

Once you’ve concluded that it’s time to replace your router, then what?

our favorite mesh wi-fi system

Netgear orbi home wifi system (rbk50).

A mesh Wi-Fi system will be the surest way to solve your Wi-Fi problems, especially in larger homes or ones with lots of dead zones. These systems let you plug in multiple access points throughout the house, creating one big network. They’re better at managing connections than a router with an extender, and systems advertised as “Tri-Band” can connect each access point without congesting the rest of the network.

Such systems might not be necessary, though. If you haven’t replaced your router in a while, even a new standalone router might be enough to power through dead zones if they’re not too far away. Standalone routers are generally less expensive than mesh systems, and some have features that mesh systems lack, such as USB storage support or a large number of ethernet ports.

A supremely powerful gaming router

Tp-link gx90.

Ultimately, though, there’s no way to tell for sure if a new router will work without trying it yourself. You can read all sorts of reviews—PCWorld reviews both Wi-Fi mesh systems and the latest Wi-Fi 6E routers —but even the best advice isn’t one-size-fits-all. Buying a new router will always involve a leap of faith.

A note on modem/router combos

Finally, there’s one more complicating factor: Although cable companies used to distribute internet modems and routers separately—the former bringing in the internet from outside the house, and the latter to distributing Wi-Fi through the home—it’s increasingly common now to get both functions in one box. That makes installation easier for the cable company, but makes router replacement trickier for you.

If you have a combo box and are paying for it in rental fees, consider replacing it with two devices: A new router and a separate cable modem . But be aware that some companies—particularly fiber-optic internet providers such as AT&T and Verizon—make replacing the modem component difficult or impossible.

If replacing the modem isn’t possible or necessary, you can just disable its Wi-Fi features so they don’t interfere with your new router. The instructions for doing so can vary by provider, so expect to do some Googling of “modem mode” or “bridge mode” plus the name of your internet provider.

And if you’re still having Wi-Fi problems after all that, send me an email  and I’ll do my best to help. You can also check out my Advisorator newsletter —where a version of this story first appeared—to get more practical tech advice every week.

Editor’s note: This article has been updated with up-to-date product recommendations.

Author: Jared Newman

Jared Newman has been helping folks make sense of technology for over a decade, writing for PCWorld, TechHive, and elsewhere. He also publishes two newsletters, Advisorator for straightforward tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for saving money on TV service.

Recent stories by Jared Newman:

• Wi-Fi 5 vs. Wi-Fi 6 vs. Wi-Fi 6E: Which router should you pick?

[Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - Wireless Network (Wi-Fi) Issues

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Related Topics

• [Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - Computer Wired Network (Ethernet) Issues
• [Windows 11/10] How to check the Wi-Fi password on your computer
• [Windows 11/10] Troubleshooting - Bluetooth Functionality Anomaly Issue
• [Windows 11/10] Connect to a Wi-Fi network
• [Notebook] Laptop Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)

Applicable Products: Notebook, Desktop, All-in-One PC, Gaming Handheld, MiniPC

We first have to check whether the problems are caused either by the device or by Internet equipment (modem/Internet cable/wireless share device) or the Internet service provider before we look to solve the Internet problem.

This troubleshooting only offers solutions to Internet dysfunction caused by a device. (The common symptoms, such as no Wi-Fi icon, Wi-Fi fails, no Wi-Fi signal, WiFi slow, or exclamation mark appeared in Wi-Fi of device manager, etc. )

For other inquiries about Internet equipment / service, please contact the Internet service provider for further information.

Assume that you use both Device (A) & Smart Phone (B), and connect them to the Internet network by Wi-Fi:

Both (A) & (B) cannot connect to the internet -> problems usually result from Internet facilities or Internet service providers.

(A) cannot connect to internet but (B) is able to -> Please refer to the solutions below:

Note : It will be helpful on the network speed problem if you improve the system performance. Here you can learn more about How to Change Power mode and plan .

Please go to the corresponding instruction based on the current Windows operating system on your device:

Windows 11 operating system

Table of Contents :

Click [Network & Internet] icon on the taskbar ① , then make sure Wi-Fi is [Turn on] ② .

• If the problem persists, please continue the next troubleshooting step.

Back to Table of Contents

• Access the BIOS setup screen on the device.    When the device is not powered on, press and hold the [F2] key on the keyboard , then press the power button to turn on the device. Keep holding the [F2] key until the BIOS setup screen appears, then release the [F2] key. Learn more about How to enter the BIOS setup screen .    Note : Gaming handhelds need to press and hold the volume (-) key, then press the power button to turn on the device.
• Once in the BIOS setup screen, please refer to the following articles to understand how to restore BIOS settings: Notebook/All-in-One PC/Gaming handheld: How to restore BIOS settings . Desktop: How to restore BIOS settings .
• When reset the BIOS settings is completed, the device will restart and enter Windows. Please check the problem again. If the problem persists, please continue the next troubleshooting step

After turning the device off completely, please restart your device and check whether the problem is resolved. If the problem persists, please continue the next troubleshooting step.

Use System Diagnosis in MyASUS to check wireless connectivity problems.

If you experience that wireless network adapter with Yellow Exclamation in Device Manager, please try the following way to solve it. (This step is for laptop products only. For desktop, AIO PCs, and gaming handheld, please continue the next troubleshooting.)

• Remove the AC adapter.       Note : Please don’t remove the AC adapter for ASUS laptop TP420IA and UX425IA model. (These models need to plug in the AC adapter to do the Hard reset process.)
• Press and hold the Power button for 40 seconds, to perform the hardware reset.
• Wait for 90 seconds, then your PC will automatically boot up.

If the versions are too different between the Wireless and Bluetooth drivers, it may cause a software compatible issue. So, we recommend updating both drivers to the latest version.

If you fail to connect to internet by the browser but the chatting app is working normally, you can try to reset the browser to solve this issue.

Regularly updating BIOS, Windows, and drivers can enhance system stability and performance. Ensure that your device is using the latest versions. Learn more about updating BIOS:

How to update the BIOS version in Windows system

How to use EZ Flash to update the BIOS version

(For desktop products, please refer to  ASUS Motherboard EZ Flash 3 Introduction .)

Learn more about updating Windows and drivers:

How to execute Windows Update

How to update drivers via System Update in MyASUS     If the problem persists after you have updated BIOS/Windows packages/drivers to the date, proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

Try performing an EC (Embedded Controller) reset, RTC (Real-Time Clock) reset, or a hard reset to restore hardware to default settings and resolve Wi-Fi issues. Refer to the following articles for detailed steps:

• Notebook/All-in-One PC/Gaming handheld: How to Reset the Embedded Controller (EC), Real-Time Clock (RTC), and Perform a Hard Reset
• Desktop PC: How to clear CMOS

If the issue persists after performing the CMOS clear (EC reset), proceed to the next troubleshooting step.

If the problem happens recently, and if you have ever created a restore point or there is an automatic system restore existed, try to restore the device to a point before the problem began to resolve the problem. Here you can learn more about How to use restore point to restore the system . If the problem persists, please continue the next troubleshooting step.

If the problem persists after all troubleshooting steps are completed. Please backup your personal files, then reset the device to back to its original configuration. Here you can learn more about How to reset the system .

You also can refer to the suggestions of Microsoft, here you can learn more about  how to fix network connection issues in Windows .

If your problem persists after following the above troubleshooting steps, the problem may be caused by the Internet service provider (ISP) or Internet equipment (modem/Internet cable/wireless share device). We suggest you should contact your ISP or try to implement the troubleshooting of Internet equipment. Here you can learn more about the troubleshooting of ASUS router:

[Troubleshooting] Failed Internet access through router

[Troubleshooting] Wi-Fi signal is often disconnected

Windows 10 operating system

Click  [Network & Internet]  icon on the taskbar ① , then make sure  Wi-Fi is [Turn on] ② .

Note : When the Wi-Fi icon highlights to blue, it means the function is enabled.

Back to Table of Contents

You also can refer to the suggestions of Microsoft, here you can learn more about how to fix network connection issues in Windows .

If your problem persists after following the above troubleshooting steps, the problem may be caused by the Internet service provider(ISP) or Internet equipment (modem/Internet cable/wireless share device). We suggest you should contact your ISP or try to implement the troubleshooting of Internet equipment. Here you can learn more about the troubleshooting of ASUS router:

If you still cannot resolve your problem, download MyASUS and try the System Diagnosis for troubleshooting. Click below! 

Was this information helpful?

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• Above information might be partly or entirely quoted from exterior websites or sources. please refer to the information based on the source that we noted. Please directly contact or inquire the sources if there is any further question and note that ASUS is neither relevant nor responsible for its content/service
• This information may not suitable for all the products from the same category/series. Some of the screen shots and operations could be different from the software versions.
• ASUS provides the above information for reference only. If you have any questions about the content, please contact the above product vendor directly. Please note that ASUS is not responsible for the content or service provided by the above product vendor.
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Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps

Learn how to improve your Wi-Fi speeds now.

Wi-Fi is a finicky thing. Sometimes, it feels faster than a Lamborghini. Sometimes, it moves slower than snails. It’s never constant and just gets worse the more you move away from the source. But Wi-Fi shouldn’t make you toss every device out the window because the connections are frustratingly, painfully bad. Here are ten simple steps to help eliminate those Wi-Fi blues.

Tired of sluggish Wi-Fi?

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Jump to: Top Wi-Fi fixes | Know your internet speed | How to improve your Wi-Fi speed | FAQ

• Top Wi-Fi fixes
• Know your internet speed

How to improve your Wi-Fi speed

Our top 10 wi-fi fixes.

First, know your internet speed

You should always know your internet plan’s advertised speed before you troubleshoot connections. Simply log in to your account using you’re provider’s mobile app or web interface to get the number in megabits per second (Mbps).

Next, use our speed test and compare the number against your plan’s listed speed. As you work through the fixes, run the test again to compare the results as you go—that way, you know if it’s helping.

Keep in mind fiber, cable, and DSL providers guarantee speeds only over a wired connection. It’s normal to get a speed test result that’s lower or higher than your advertised maximum speed. However, if you’re getting speeds far below what you expect, it’s time to troubleshoot.

Download speed 000 Mbps

Upload speed 000 Mbps

Latency (ping) 00 ms

Jitter 00 ms

Solution #1—Turn things off and on again

If you’re experiencing slow Wi-Fi, the first rule of thumb is to restart your modem and router (or mesh system) or your gateway.

Restart: Modem or gateway | Router or mesh system | Wireless devices

Restart the modem or gateway

Your modem or gateway is the translator and bridge between your home network and your provider’s network. If the connection between them is acting up, a power cycle can clear any possible errors and bring your connection back up to speed.

To power cycle your modem or gateway, do the following:

Step 1: Unplug the power connector from the wall outlet.

Step 2: Wait 30 seconds.

Step 3: Plug the power connector back into the wall outlet.

If you rebooted a gateway, skip ahead to the section about restarting your device’s Wi-Fi .

Restart your router or mesh system

Repeat the process if you have a standalone router or mesh system. Like with the modem or gateway, a power cycle clears your router’s memory and gives it a fresh start on tasks that were bogging it down before.

Restart your device’s Wi-Fi

This may be overkill if you’re experiencing slow Wi-Fi across all your wireless devices, as your problem isn’t related to just one device. However, if only one phone, tablet, laptop, or some other wireless device still experiences slowdowns, do the following:

Step 1: Go into the settings and switch off Wi-Fi.

Step 3: Switch Wi-Fi back on and reconnect.

If this still doesn’t work, try these options:

• Power cycle the device (switch it off and on, not reboot)
• Forget the Wi-Fi connection and reconnect
• Update drivers or firmware
• Factory reset the device

We recommend rebooting your equipment regularly—at least once every few months. Some modern routers and gateways even allow you to schedule reboots when everyone is offline, like during bedtime hours.

But keep in mind that rebooting leaves you without internet for a few minutes, so plan to restart your equipment when no one needs internet. Check out our guide on how and when to reboot your router.

Solution #2—Update firmware

Firmware is your router’s operating system. Like Windows and macOS and Android, it’s never perfect “as is” out of the box. Developers continuously optimize the code for improved performance, fill in security gaps, and stamp out any problematic bugs that can wreak havoc on your home network.

That said, routers are nothing more than small computers dedicated to routing your home network traffic to and from the modem or ONT, so you want to keep the firmware up to date. Many newer routers and all mesh systems have automatic firmware updates enabled by default.

However, for better peace of mind, you can use the mobile app or web interface to check the firmware version to ensure you’re up to date. You can also verify that firmware updates are enabled (and toggle them on if not).

Keep in mind that, like with any other operating system, updates can sometimes lead to more woes, which is why some routers don’t enable automatic updates by default (or have the feature at all). Problematic firmware updates are rare but still a possibility.

Solution #3—Switch Wi-Fi bands

Every router and mesh system we’ve tested has at least two radios: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Some have a third radio accessing the higher 5 GHz band channels or the new 6 GHz spectrum. A fourth radio may also access the 6 GHz band.

Here’s a brief summary of what to expect from each:

You’ll read that 2.4 GHz has the longest range and penetrates objects better than the other two, and that’s true. But it’s also the slowest of the three due to its limitations, so you may see 250Mbps at 120 feet using the 5 GHz band but absolutely nothing using the 2.4 GHz band.

Most routers and mesh systems now use what’s called band steering by default, which crams all your connections into one Wi-Fi name. If you’re experiencing slow speeds, chances are your router or mesh system chose the 2.4 GHz as your best connection. To get around this, you can log in to your router or mesh system to disable band steering and create a name for each connection. However, nearly every mesh system we’ve tested doesn’t allow this.

If you’re experiencing slow speeds and you can manually switch bands, try the 6 GHz one first. It’s a whole new Wi-Fi frontier, so the chances of you experiencing slow speeds due to interference from other networks are slim at best.

If you don’t have a 6 GHz connection, switching to the 5 GHz band may help, but it’s now just as crowded as the 2.4 GHz one, so it’s a gamble at this point. Plus, radar uses many channels on this band, making your options for “clear skies” even more limited. This issue is why we say use the 6 GHz connection first if it’s available to you.

Here’s a list of applications to give you an idea of which band works best:

Solution #4—Change Wi-Fi channels

Honestly, this is old-school thinking dating back to when 2.4 GHz was our primary connection, and 5 GHz was a new thing. It worked back in the day because we were all still hogging the 2.4 GHz spectrum. Now, not so much.

Why? Let’s use the 5 GHz band as an example. Routers list single channels, which are 20 MHz wide. You get some speed out of one, but you get even more when routers bond multiple channels into one. So, when you pick channel 36, but the channel width is set to 80 MHz, the router is bonding together four channels .

Do you see where we’re going here? Changing the channel from 36 to 40 while your neighbor sits on 44 (and also uses an 80 MHz width) won’t fix your problem. You’re both still hogging channels 36–48. If you want to stick with an 80 MHz bonded channel, you need to select something in the 149–161 range to avoid colliding with your neighbor’s network.

What’s funny is that we normally say to stick with channels 1, 6, or 11 when using the 2.4 GHz band, but routers ignore this rule. They select what’s best, even if it’s a channel that overlaps others. Besides, the band is so crowded now you’ll be lucky if a router uses a 40 MHz bonded channel. Manually selecting a channel is probably not worth the effort (but we could be wrong).

Okay, with all that said, how do you find the best channel group? Here are a few examples:

Apple macOS

Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi.

Step 2: Hold down the Option key .

Step 3: Click the Wi-Fi status icon on the menu bar in the top right corner of your screen.

Step 4: Select Open Wireless Diagnostics .

Step 5: Ignore the prompts and select Window on the toolbar.

Step 6: Select Scan and then Scan Now .

When the scan is complete, you can see the recommended channels in the Summary window.

Microsoft Windows

The best way to scan Wi-Fi channel use is to install a free app like WiFi Analyzer or NetSpot . These methods don’t summarize the best channels for you but instead require you to determine the best channels by examining the scan’s results.

Okay, so how do you change channels?

If you want to try changing the channel to see if your speed improves, log in to your router’s web interface using the provided custom URL or IP address—web apps generally don’t allow you to change the channel. Once logged in, go into Wi-Fi Settings (or something similar) and select the primary channel and width you want to use.

Most mesh systems do not allow you to change the Wi-Fi channel.

Solution #5—Adjust antennas

Antenna adjustment is another old-school suggestion that may or may not work, but it’s worth a shot.

Routers with external antennas positioned vertically broadcast outwards in an elongated donut shape. In other words, they have a long range horizontally. We almost always test routers with upright antennas to see how much speed we can get at the longest range possible.

When you reposition some antennas horizontally, you change the shape of the router’s broadcast. Rooms that once received a strong Wi-Fi signal may have trouble accessing the internet, but you have a stronger signal upstairs or down in the basement.

That all said, you’ll have to experiment with the antennas to get a happy medium between what you want to gain and what you don’t want to lose.

Solution #6—Prune connections

Routers, gateways, and mesh systems can support a long roster of devices, depending on the model. But they can’t handle all the wireless ones simultaneously —maybe up to 12 if you’re lucky. We always stress stream count because it defines how many devices a router can transmit to in any given second.

What you don’t want is unused devices gulping down the bandwidth you need. Everything connected to your network (wired or wireless) should be essential, so disconnect that spare Android phone dinging in the background with each email received or the game console you rarely play.

To shed the pesky leeches, do the following in the router’s mobile app or web interface:

• Block devices from joining Wi-Fi
• Forget the Wi-Fi network on the device
• Toggle off Wi-Fi on the device

Of course, you can always change the Wi-Fi password and reboot the router, gateway, or mesh system, but it’s a hassle to reconnect all the devices you use rather than block the ones you don’t.

Solution #7—Relocate your router

Relocating your router is another old-school suggestion that may or may not work for you.

When you look at an internet connection, the line coming into your home ends at a modem, fiber ONT, or gateway. You generally can’t move these devices from their current location without involving a technician and some rewiring.

Routers sit near these devices and connect to them using an Ethernet cable. For this reason, the suggestion to relocate your router is at the bottom of our list. It’s possible, sure, but you either need a really long Ethernet cable to place the router in a more ideal spot or have an Ethernet-ready home.

Keep in mind that routers work best in an open area. The 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands offer the most speed, so you don’t want the signals absorbed by walls, furniture, appliances, and other objects that reduce your speeds or block your connections altogether. Radio waves from other devices, including cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, and Bluetooth speakers, can also interrupt these signals.

If relocation is an issue, you may want to consider Wi-Fi extenders or upgrading to a mesh system . We talk about using extenders in the next step.

Solution #8—Extend your Wi-Fi reach

If your router or gateway is in the best location, but you’re still having speed or connectivity issues in certain areas of your home, you may need to extend your network’s range .

There are a few different devices you can use to increase the reach of your network.

Wi-Fi extenders

Wi-Fi extenders connect to your router in Repeater or Access Point mode. With Repeater mode, the device uses Wi-Fi to connect to your router and rebroadcast the Wi-Fi network. In Access Point mode, the device connects to the router using Ethernet and creates a secondary Wi-Fi network. Some Wi-Fi extenders support EasyMesh or proprietary mesh technology (ASUS and TP-Link come to mind) for improved device roaming.

Access points

You can purchase a second router and set it to Access Point mode, just like an extender. However, it has a far better range than the plug-in and desktop Wi-Fi extenders sold for less. Some manufacturers, like Cisco and Zyxel , sell routers designed to be used specifically as access points.

Wi-Fi boosters

These devices only work on routers with removable antennas. They plug directly into the router’s empty antenna port and broadcast a stronger signal than the router’s original antenna. The term “booster” is also associated with Wi-Fi extenders.

Powerline adapters

Powerline adapters plug into wall outlets and send network signals across your existing power lines instead of over the air. The first adapter must be plugged into the router, gateway, or mesh system using an Ethernet cable. The second unit normally pairs with the first one automatically.

Mesh systems

You can add a mesh system to your network, but we suggest setting your router or gateway into bridge mode (aka wired-only mode) or getting rid of your router altogether. Mesh kits are better with two or more units that are placed in line of sight with each other to beam Wi-Fi around objects and corners.

Solution #9—Replace your equipment

Your router and modem process all your internet data—if either one isn’t up to that task, it can slow down your whole network. So, if you’re dealing with older, out-of-date equipment, it’s time to get a replacement.

If you believe the equipment you rent from your provider is out of date, you can request new units—especially if you feel they’re causing poor network performance. Internet providers supply either a single wireless gateway or pair a standalone modem with a router.

Buying your own modem and router could save you money over time, especially if you’re renting both. A store-bought router, for instance, usually gives you more control over the features, speeds, and security of your home network.

If you’re in the market to purchase a new modem or router, we have a few recommendations:

• Best Wi-Fi Routers
• Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers
• Best Modem/Router combos
• Best Modems for Gigabit Internet

Also, keep in mind that your devices are just as important as your modem and router. You can’t expect blazing-fast speeds on a device that only supports a single 2.4 GHz connection. In other words, if you just upgraded to a Wi-Fi 7 router but you’re still rocking the original iPhone, the phone is your bottleneck, not your new “faulty” router.

Solution #10—Upgrade to faster internet

While we hope our previous tips did the trick, slow Wi-Fi may be the result of a slow internet plan. As we always say, the fastest modem, gateway, or router won’t magically increase your speed if you have more people in the home than your 200Mbps internet plan can handle.

A good way to determine what you need is to reserve 100Mbps per person. Some of that bandwidth is a buffer, so each person has more than what they need. If you have five internet users in the home, a 500Mbps plan should be plenty (and my home is a good example -KP).

If you’re still unsure what internet speeds you need to support your online habits, then check out our guides to internet speed for gaming and video streaming requirements .

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More internet speed resources

• Why Is My Internet So Slow? Your Ultimate Guide to Speeding Up
• Internet Troubleshooting Guide
• What Is a Good Upload and Download Speed?
• Will Paying for Faster Internet Improve My Wi-Fi Speed?
• The Consumers Guide to Internet Speed

FAQ about improving your Wi-Fi speed

How can i make my wi-fi faster.

Like your internet connection, your Wi-Fi can only go so fast. However, signal strength, interference, frequency band, and distance can reduce your speed to a crawl. The best way to speed up the connection between the router and your device is to move closer and select the best frequency band (if possible) for the application you’re using. Also, make sure nothing is blocking the signal.

Read our guide on how to extend your Wi-Fi range for more tips.

How do I know if I need a new router?

An easy way to find out if your router is causing your Wi-Fi slowdown is to run a speed test using a wired computer from the modem or ONT. Record the results and run the wired speed test again from the router. If the second test is significantly slower than the first, your router is probably causing slow speeds.

How do I know if I need a faster internet plan?

A surefire way to tell if your internet plan is enough for your needs is to allocate 100Mbps per person. This number incorporates a “buffer” to make sure each person has more than what they need. Remember, your plan dictates how much bandwidth you can use, not the router, so if you have seven people using a 200Mbps plan, you’re in dire need of an upgrade.

Where should I put my Wi-Fi router?

The standard procedure is to tell you to place the router in a central, elevated location in your home, but the suggestion ignores the fact that your router is tethered to the modem or ONT. To relocate it, you may need a long Ethernet cable or a home pre-wired for Ethernet. Learn more with our guide on choosing the best spot for your router .

How can I increase my Wi-Fi speeds on computer?

Computers have Wi-Fi radios locked to a specific speed. For example, Intel’s AX201 chip supports a 2,400Mbps maximum speed, but you’ll never see that ceiling speed due to what’s called overhead. To get around this limit, you must install a faster Wi-Fi radio (PCIe or M.2 card) or connect a USB adapter with a better radio if you can’t install one.

If your computer has the best Wi-Fi radio but the speeds aren’t great, make sure you’re using a router with the same Wi-Fi standard and have it set to a channel that doesn’t interfere with other networks. Avoid using any DFS channels if you live near an airport or anywhere else that uses radar.

Author - Kevin Parrish

Kevin Parrish has more than a decade of experience working as a writer, editor, and product tester. He began writing about computer hardware and soon branched out to other devices and services such as networking equipment, phones and tablets, game consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom’s Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others. At HighSpeedInternet.com, he focuses on network equipment testing and review.

Editor - Cara Haynes

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span.

Related Posts

• Install a printer
• Add a printer
• Download printer drivers
• Install printer drivers
• Set default printer
• View printer queue
• Fix Printer Problems
• Troubleshoot offline printer

Install a printer in Windows

When you connect a printer or scanner to your PC or add a new printer or all-in-one device to your home network, you can usually start printing right away. Windows 11 supports most printers, so you probably won't have to install special printer software. Additional printer drivers and support might be available if you update Windows .

To install or add a network, wireless, or Bluetooth printer

If your printer is on and connected to the network, Windows should find it easily. Available printers can include all printers on a network, such as Bluetooth and wireless printers or printers that are plugged into another computer and shared on the network. You might need permission to install some printers.

On the taskbar, select the Search icon, type Printers  in the search bar, and then select  Printers & scanners  from the search results to open the Printers & scanners system setting.

Open Printers & scanners settings

Next to Add a printer or scanner , select Add device .

Wait for it to find nearby printers, then choose the one you want to use, and select Add device . If you want to remove the printer later, select it, and then select Remove .

If your printer isn't in the list, next to The printer that I want isn't listed , select Add manually , and then follow the instructions to add it manually using one of the options.

If you’re not able to connect the printer manually, try to fix the problem by using the steps in  Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows .

If you use wireless access points, extenders or multiple wireless routers with separate SSIDs, you'll need to ensure that you're connected to the same network as the printer for your PC to find and install it.

If you have a new wireless printer that hasn’t been added to your home network, read the instructions that came with the printer, and check the printer manufacturer’s website to learn more and to get up-to-date software for your printer.

To install or add a wired or local printer

In most cases, all you have to do to set up a printer is to connect it to your PC. Simply plug the USB cable from your printer into an available USB port on your PC, and turn the printer on.

Related topics

Find out how to install printer drivers in Windows .

Find out how to set up a default printer in Windows .

Find out how to view a printer queue in Windows .

If you are having a problem changing your printer's "offline" status, see Troubleshooting offline printer problems .

If you are having a problem with printer connectivity in Windows, see Fix printer connection and printing problems in Windows .

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FixWin for Windows 10: Repair problems and issues with a click

Fixwin for windows 10.

Internet & Connectivity: Lets you fix Internet problems which you be facing after upgrading to Windows 10

How to use FixWin 10

How to fix Bluetooth connection problems on Windows 10

When Bluetooth isn't working correctly and devices can't reconnect, use these troubleshooting steps to fix the problem on Windows 10.

Bluetooth on Windows 10 allows you to quickly connect an extensive array of wireless devices to your computer (such as speakers, mice, and keyboards). However, while devices should automatically reconnect when they’re in range, Bluetooth isn’t perfect, and sometimes you will come across connectivity problems.

If you’re having issues connecting a Bluetooth device to your computer, there are many troubleshooting steps you can do on Windows 10 .

In this guide , you will learn the steps to fix many of the connection problems with Bluetooth devices on Windows 10.

Fix Bluetooth missing in Settings

Fix bluetooth missing in device manager, fix bluetooth after upgrading to windows 10.

• Fix Bluetooth device connection when paired

Fix Bluetooth when you can’t transfer files

Fix bluetooth audio devices connection, fix bluetooth using hardware and devices troubleshooter.

When the Bluetooth page is in the Settings app, it’s possible that something is wrong with the adapter driver or the device doesn’t include support for this kind of connectivity.

If there is support for Bluetooth, you can use Device Manager to see if the latest driver is available:

Open Start .

Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the app.

Expand the Bluetooth branch.

Right-click the Bluetooth adapter and select the Update Driver Software option.

Click the Search automatically for updated driver software option.

If the operating system can’t find any new driver, you can visit your computer manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver and instructions to complete this task.

Sometimes Bluetooth may not appear in Device Manager if the driver isn’t compatible with the version of the operating system.

You can find out if it’s compatible using these steps:

Expand the Other devices branch.

Select the unknown device, right-click it, and select the Properties option.

Click on the Details tab.

Use the “Properties” drop-down menu and select the Hardware Ids option.

Under the “Value” section, look for the hardware identification.

Right-click the hardware identification (for example, USB\VID_{ID}&PID_{ID} ), and select the Copy option.

Use your favorite search engine to research the hardware ID you copied to figure out the device name and manufacturer.

Head over to the Bluetooth manufacturer’s support website, download, and install a compatible driver for Windows 10.

Sometimes, it could also happen that you’re having issues, you uninstall the Bluetooth driver, but after restarting your computer, Windows 10 won’t reinstall the driver automatically. Also, you’ll notice an “Unknown USB device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)” entry under Universal Serial Bus controllers in Device Manager.

Reinstall Bluetooth driver

To allow Windows 10 to reinstall the Bluetooth driver, use these steps:

Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers branch.

Right-click the  “Unknown USB device (Device Descriptor Request Failed)” entry and select the Uninstall option.

Click Yes to confirm.

Restart your computer to complete the task.

Once your computer rebooted, open Device Manager again, and if you still don’t see Bluetooth listed, click the Scan for hardware changes button on the top-right. If the operating system still can’t detect the device, manually download and install the Bluetooth device driver from your manufacturer’s support website.

In the case, you just updated to Windows 10, and your Bluetooth device is not working, it could be that the device uses a custom Bluetooth profile.

If this is the problem, you’ll need to remove and reconnect the Bluetooth device again to resolve the issue .

Wireless devices to work on Windows 10 must use one of the supported Bluetooth profiles:

• Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP 1.2)
• Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP 1.3)
• Bluetooth LE Generic Attribute (GATT) Client
• Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN 1.1)
• Device ID Profile (DI 1.3)
• Hardcopy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP 1.0)
• Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.5)
• Human Interface Device (HID 1.1)
• HID over GATT Profile (HOGP 1.0)
• Object Push Profile (OPP 1.1)
• Personal Area Networking User Profile (PANU 1.0)
• Serial Port Profile (SPP 1.2)

To figure out what profiles your Bluetooth device supports, you’ll need to check your manufacturer’s website for documentation.

Fix Bluetooth device connection when paired

When your device is paired, but it’s not working, you can use the following steps to fix the problem:

Open Settings .

Click on Devices .

Click on Bluetooth .

Select the device. If the device is in use, it would show as Connected , otherwise, the status will show as Paired . In the case, the Bluetooth device isn’t working, you’ll need to remove it.

Click the Remove device button.

Click Yes to confirm to complete the task.

Once you complete the steps, you’ll need to connect your Bluetooth device again using these steps .

If the device you want to connect doesn’t include a display but needs a PIN to pair, you can check the device or documentation to find out the PIN. However, most of the time, the default PIN is just “0000” or “1234” .

If for some reason, you’re unable to send or receive files using Bluetooth, you can check a few things to fix this problem.

Double-check connection

The first thing you have to do is to make sure that the device is paired to your computer.

Click on Bluetooth & other devices .

While on the Bluetooth page your device should appear as Paired or Connected . If it’s not, you can use these steps to connect a Bluetooth peripheral .

Bluetooth OPP support

Windows 10 uses Bluetooth Object Push Profile (OPP) support to transfer files. If your peripheral doesn’t support Bluetooth OPP, file transfer won’t work. Use your manufacturer’s support website to find out if your peripheral supports Object Push Profile.

Bluetooth file transfer

Before you can transfer files, you must be in the “Waiting for connection” screen.

Click the Send or receive files via Bluetooth link.

Click the option  Send files or Receive files depending on what you’re trying to do.

Follow the on-screen directions to complete the task.

When streaming audio to a Bluetooth speaker, you may hear low-quality and glitches in the audio, sometimes the reason is that you have the Bluetooth settings open, and it’s in discovery mode. You can try to fix this issue by closing the settings to prevent your computer from constantly be searching for new Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth doesn’t offer large data speeds, which means that if you’re listening to music, and trying to transfer files, you may encounter audio issues.

If the Bluetooth speaker is paired but not working, you could have configured a different audio device as default. To fix this issue, use these steps:

Click on System .

Click on Sound .

Under the “Output” section, use the “Choose your output device” drop-down menu and select the speaker to use as default.

Once you completed the steps sound should start playing on the speakers.

If you’re still unable to fix Bluetooth connectivity due to a driver issue on Windows 10, you can use the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter to resolve this issue.

Open Control Panel .

Click on System and Security .

Under Security and Maintenance, click the Troubleshoot common computer problems link.

Click on Hardware and Sound .

Click on Hardware and Devices to launch the troubleshooter.

Click Next to run the troubleshooter.

Once the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter process is completed your Bluetooth devices should pair correctly again.

If your device supports Bluetooth connectivity, and you can’t connect an audio device to your computer, you can use the steps mentioned above to update the device driver , and you can also try removing the device and pairing it again .

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter) , YouTube , LinkedIn and About.me . Email him at [email protected] .

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How-To Geek

Internet connection not working 10 troubleshooting tips.

Internet suddenly not working?

Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek

Quick links, first, check whether your internet connection is down, test your local wi-fi or ethernet connection, reset your wireless connection, using ethernet check your cables, try restarting the problem device, ensure that network hardware is working, reboot your router, check the connection status on your router/modem, try another device to isolate the issue, finally: contact your service provider.

It's useful to have a checklist of things to try when your internet is not working. Sometimes you can fix the problem yourself, while other times, it's caused by a problem with your service provider. Here's how to pin down and fix the problem.

Sometimes the problem isn't your internet connection at all. If you're trying to access a website that simply won't work, it might just be a problem with that web page. You can try performing a search or checking social media to see whether those services are working, or you can query the website in question with a service like downfor.io .

If you're still getting nothing, check the local connection between your device and your network hardware. A glance at the system tray on Windows or at the menu bar on a Mac will show whether you are connected via a wired or a wireless connection. On a smartphone, look for the Wi-Fi symbol or head to your device settings and attempt to connect from there.

If you're connected via Wi-Fi but the internet still isn't working, this points to a problem with your online connection. If you can't find your wireless network, this points to a problem with your network hardware.

Occasionally, some devices seem to "forget" that they are meant to be connected via Wi-Fi. Using your wireless settings to set up the connection again might be all that it takes to get your local connection working again.

Your devices will remember login credentials and other information about your local connection. If this changes, your computer or smartphone might be trying to connect with the wrong information. You can try to "forget" the wireless network using your device's wireless settings and reconnecting again.

You will need the password to your wireless network to set up the connection again, so be sure to have that handy first.

If you're using a wired connection, make sure that the Ethernet cable is seated correctly in both your router and your PC. You can try removing the cable and reconnecting it to be sure. If you find that the cable is damaged in some way, try a replacement and see whether that fixes your issue.

If in doubt, turn it off and on again. By restarting the problem computer or smartphone, you're ruling out software issues caused by the operating system. You might even fix the issue entirely.

Occasionally, core services associated with networking stop working. This doesn't necessarily mean that there's a "problem" with your device that needs further attention, but a restart should solve the issue.

Sometimes modems and routers are switched off by accident. If you can't find a wireless network to connect to, there's a good chance that this has happened to your router. If you have an external modem, be sure to check that, too.

You should also check that any network connections you rely on are firmly seated in your router or modem. Feel free to remove any cables and then reseat them in the slots where you found them. If you have a DSL connection that relies on a phone socket, make sure that it hasn't been knocked out or broken by mistake.

Network hardware can and does crash from time to time. This is particularly common if the router, switch, or modem gets hot and isn't adequately ventilated. One solution is to properly power-cycle the hardware: Switch any network equipment off, wait 30 seconds, and then turn it on again.

While 30 seconds is overkill, it will ensure that the device fully discharges and starts up again "from cold." Most routers take around 30 seconds to a minute to restart to an operational state, so make sure that you wait long enough before throwing in the towel and trying something else.

This might not be possible in all circumstances, but if you know the login credentials for your network hardware (and how to access the control panel), you can see exactly what's going on behind the scenes. It also only works if you can connect locally to your network hardware (wireless or wired). If you're not sure what you're doing here, move on to the next step.

In the case of most network hardware, there will be a sticker on the side of the router indicating the address to visit (often 192.168.0.1 or 10.0.0.1 ). You can also use a service like routerlogin.pro to find your network hardware and go from there.

Once you've logged in with your admin username and password, you'll be able to navigate your way to some sort of status. You may need to enter an "Advanced" mode to see more information about any errors that the router has encountered. Since all network hardware is different, we can't guide you here.

If you happen to find some information about your network status, make a note of any errors or error codes that you see. If there is indeed a problem with your connection, you can quote these errors and codes when you contact your service provider later.

If your hardware reports that there is nothing wrong with the wider connection, you can be fairly confident that the problem is something to do with your local device.

Isolating a problem to a particular device like a computer or smartphone can be tricky, but if you're not having any luck with the solutions we've already suggested, consider trying another device on the same network, ideally using the same type of network connection (wireless or wired).

Remember: If you try another device and get similar results, it's likely that your internet connection is to blame. At this stage, it's a good idea to contact your service provider and report a fault.

Be aware that some smartphones switch to cellular data when no local network connection is detected (although they should tell you about it), so you might want to turn off cellular data temporarily if you're testing this on a smartphone.

If other devices on your network are working, consider that there may be problems with your software, hardware, or network settings causing the issue. Fortunately, there are a few other things that you can try.

Try Changing Your DNS Servers

DNS stands for "domain name system," and it's essentially the phonebook that your computer uses to associate IP addresses (e.g. 123.0.0.4) with domain names (like howtogeek.com).

To rule out a problem with your DNS settings, learn how to change DNS on any device to servers provided by Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), and test for the problem again. You should restart your device after changing your DNS settings to ensure that they take effect.

If this solves your issue, then you might just want to leave things as they are, since your service provider's DNS servers are probably slower anyway.

Try Disabling Any Firewalls You Have Running

Firewalls stop internet traffic from communicating on certain "ports" and may take the form of software (running on your computer) or hardware (like a router). Windows and macOS both have built-in firewalls that can cause all sorts of problems. Try disabling them if you are having issues with the internet.

The Windows firewall is turned on by default , but you can turn it off with a few clicks. The macOS firewall is disabled by default , and it too can be easily disabled so that you can test your connection.

There are other firewalls, like those included with security software and anti-malware scanners. Make sure that any additional firewalls are disabled.

Try Running a Malware Scan

Malware may also cause problems with your internet connection, so it's worth running a malware scan with something like Malwarebytes (Windows and Mac) or Microsoft's own Windows Defender Antivirus.

If the problem is with your connection and you've tried everything listed to no avail, it's time to report a fault and let your service provider deal with it. Your provider will likely attempt to run you through some of the things we've already tried, so make sure that you let them know what you've done so far.

If you have any error codes or messages from your router's backend, quoting them here could save you some time.

If the thought of spending time on the phone with your service provider sends shivers down your spine, consider switching to a better provider. Our preferred way to pick a provider is by searching for the fastest ISP in your area .