Most Wi-Fi Problems Have a Simple Cause
A dropping or slow Wi-Fi connection is frustrating, but it's rarely as complicated to fix as it feels. Before assuming you need new hardware or an engineer visit, work through these checks — most can be done from your phone in a few minutes.
1. Restart Your Router
It sounds obvious, but unplugging your router for 30 seconds and plugging it back in resolves a surprising number of Wi-Fi issues. Routers that have been running for weeks or months without a restart can develop memory and connection issues that a simple reboot clears.
2. Check Router Placement
Wi-Fi signal struggles to pass through brick walls, metal (like fridges or filing cabinets), and mirrors. Routers placed in a cupboard, behind the TV, or in a corner of the house will always underperform. Central, elevated, and away from obstructions is ideal.
3. Check for Interference From Other Devices
Baby monitors, microwaves, Bluetooth speakers and neighbouring Wi-Fi networks can all interfere with your signal, especially on the older 2.4GHz band. If you're on 2.4GHz, try switching to the 5GHz band in your router settings if your device supports it — it's far less prone to interference (though it doesn't travel through walls quite as well).
4. Check How Many Devices Are Connected
Smart bulbs, doorbells, TVs, consoles and phones all add up. A budget router can struggle once you have 15-20+ devices connected at once, even if most are idle. Check your router's connected devices list (usually in its app or web interface) for anything unexpected.
5. Update Your Router's Firmware
Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that fix exactly this kind of stability issue. Check your router's app or admin page (often accessible at 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in a browser) for an update option.
6. Test With a Wired Connection
If you can, plug a laptop directly into the router with an ethernet cable. If the connection is rock solid wired but drops over Wi-Fi, the problem is specifically wireless (signal, interference, or the router's Wi-Fi radio) rather than your internet connection itself.
7. Consider the Age of Your Router
If your router is more than 5-6 years old, or was supplied by your broadband provider as a basic model, it may simply not be capable of reliably covering your home or handling modern device demands — especially in larger properties. A mesh Wi-Fi system or a better-positioned access point setup often solves "dead zone" problems that no amount of settings tweaking will fix.
Still Dropping After Trying These?
If you've worked through this list and it's still unreliable, we can take a closer look remotely — checking your router settings, signal strength and connected devices, and giving you an honest recommendation on whether better hardware would help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Wi-Fi keep dropping?
Common causes include the router needing a restart, poor router placement, interference from other devices or neighbouring networks, too many devices connected, outdated router firmware, or an ageing router struggling with modern demand.
Why is my Wi-Fi slow even though my broadband is fast?
A fast broadband connection that performs poorly over Wi-Fi is almost always a wireless issue — typically router placement, interference, distance, or an older Wi-Fi standard on your device.
Do Wi-Fi extenders actually work?
Basic plug-in extenders can help but often create their own problems — slower speeds and disconnections when moving between access points. A mesh Wi-Fi system or properly positioned access points is a more reliable fix.
Why is my Wi-Fi fine on my phone but slow on my laptop?
This usually points to the device — older laptops often have weaker Wi-Fi antennas or only support older Wi-Fi standards. Updating network drivers or moving closer to the router can help.
How do I find out how many devices are connected to my router?
Log into your router's admin page (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in a browser) and look for a connected devices section. Alternatively, most modern routers have a companion app that shows this.