Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting on just one device?

If only one device drops, the cause is usually on that device: an outdated Wi-Fi driver, power-saving settings that turn off the Wi-Fi adapter, or an old saved network profile. Forgetting and rejoining the network and updating the driver fixes most cases.

Why does my Wi-Fi keep disconnecting on all devices?

When every device drops at the same time, the problem is the router, the modem or the internet connection itself. Start by restarting the equipment, updating the router's firmware and checking with your internet provider for outages.

Will a mesh Wi-Fi system fix dropouts?

If the dropouts happen mainly in rooms far from the router, yes. A mesh system spreads a strong signal across the whole home. If dropouts happen right next to the router, mesh won't help, because the cause is somewhere else.

Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting? 10 Ways to Fix It

Published October 14, 2026 · Victoria Computer Repair

Wi-Fi that drops several times a day freezes video calls, interrupts streaming and has you switching Wi-Fi off and on again.

The right fix depends on one question, so start there.

Step 1: Is it one device or every device?

If only one device drops, such as your laptop, while phones and TVs stay connected, the problem is on that device. Go to fixes 1 to 4.
If everything drops at once, the problem is the router, the modem or the internet connection. Go to fixes 5 to 8.
If it only drops in certain rooms, the signal isn’t reaching that far. Go to fixes 9 and 10.

Fixes for one device

1. Forget the network and reconnect

Old or corrupted saved settings are a common cause.

Windows: Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select your network and choose Forget. Then reconnect.
Mac: System Settings > Wi-Fi, click the ”…” next to your network and choose Forget This Network.
iPhone and Android: tap your network in the Wi-Fi settings and choose Forget.

2. Turn off Wi-Fi power saving on a Windows laptop

Windows can switch off the Wi-Fi adapter to save battery, which causes random drops.

Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters and double-click your Wi-Fi adapter.
On the Power Management tab, untick “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.”

3. Update the Wi-Fi driver

An outdated driver often causes dropouts on a single laptop. Run Windows Update, including the optional updates, or download the latest Wi-Fi driver from your laptop maker’s support site. On a Mac, install the latest macOS update.

4. Reset network settings

As a last step on a single device:

Windows: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

You’ll need to enter your Wi-Fi passwords again afterwards.

Fixes when every device drops

5. Restart the modem and router properly

Unplug the modem and the router (or the single box from your provider) for 60 seconds. Plug the modem in first and wait until its lights settle, then plug in the router. This clears memory problems that build up after weeks of running.

6. Check for an outage

Check your internet provider’s outage page or app. If the internet light on the modem goes off or blinks when the Wi-Fi drops, the problem is probably the connection coming into your home, and your provider needs to fix it.

7. Update the router’s firmware

Router makers fix stability bugs in firmware updates. Log in to the router’s app or admin page and look for an update. Many newer routers update themselves, but older ones often don’t.

8. Check the router’s age and placement

A router that’s five or more years old may struggle with all the phones, laptops, TVs, cameras and smart speakers in a modern home. Also make sure it isn’t:

Inside a cabinet or behind a TV
On the floor, or next to a microwave or a cordless phone base
Overheating (hot to the touch, or in a closed space)

Fixes for dead zones and weak rooms

9. Move the router or separate the bands

A router works best in a central spot, up high and out in the open. If your router puts its 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks under one name, devices near the edge of the signal may keep switching between them. Some routers let you give the two bands separate names, so distant devices can stay on the longer-range 2.4 GHz band.

10. Upgrade to mesh Wi-Fi

Plaster-and-lath walls in older Victoria and Oak Bay homes block a lot of signal, and many newer homes are spread over several floors. In either case, one router may not reach every room. A mesh system uses two or three units that share one network name and cover the whole home. For a basement suite or a detached office, a wired access point is more reliable still.

When to call a technician

Get help if:

The Wi-Fi still drops after you’ve restarted and updated everything
Your internet is much slower than the speed you pay for
You need reliable coverage across several floors, a suite or an office
Business Wi-Fi problems are affecting staff, payment terminals or customers

We fix Wi-Fi problems for homes and businesses across Victoria, Saanich and Langford, including setting up mesh and business Wi-Fi so every room gets a strong signal. See our Wi-Fi and network setup service. If it’s the computer itself that’s slow, read why your computer is so slow.