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.
Related Guides
Why Is My Laptop So Slow?
Seven things to check before buying a new one.
How to Spot a Phishing Email
Six warning signs that take 60 seconds to check.
IT Support
Ongoing remote IT support for homes and small businesses.
Based in Surrey? We Can Help
We support home users and small businesses across the whole of Surrey remotely — including Epsom, Guildford, Dorking, Kingston, Woking, Reigate and Cobham. View all Surrey areas →
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I restart my router?
Most routers benefit from a restart every few weeks, especially if you haven't updated the firmware in a while. If you're experiencing frequent drops, restarting is a quick first step, but recurring problems usually point to placement, interference or a router that needs replacing.
Why is my Wi-Fi fine on one device but not another?
This usually points to the device itself — older phones, laptops and smart TVs often only support older Wi-Fi standards or have weaker antennas. Updating the device's network drivers or moving it closer to the router can help.
Do Wi-Fi extenders actually work?
Basic plug-in extenders can help in some homes but often introduce their own problems, like slower speeds and dropped connections when switching between access points. A proper mesh Wi-Fi system, or correctly positioned access points, is usually a more reliable fix for larger homes.