In this day and age, people rely on having strong Wi-Fi in their homes, whether they’re working, trying to game, or attempting to use smart devices. Naturally, when Wi-Fi connectivity drops, it can cause huge issues in the home, which is why we’ve put together this short troubleshooting guide.

Check Internet Speeds

If you’re still connected to your Wi-Fi network but you’re not receiving the speeds quoted by your ISP, head over to a speed checker website and find out what your speed is in real time. You will see a download speed recorded in Mbps, which you can compare to your monthly bill. If you find that your current speeds match your bill, then you simply need to upgrade your package. However, if there’s a large gap, continue with this troubleshooting guide.

Turn it Off and On

Before trying anything else on this list, try turning your router on and off. Unplug it for ten seconds and then plug it back in, which might reset any internal issues. If this doesn’t fix the problem, try resetting the device you’re having problems with.

Overworked Networks and Latency

Your bandwidth is like an elastic band – if you stretch it too far, it will snap. Essentially, if too many devices are using your Wi-Fi, you’ll begin to have low speeds. As well as being stretched, overworking the network can lead to latency, which is a delay in the time it takes for requests to reach your ISP and return. A great way to solve this issue is to log into your router and remove any devices that don’t need to be connected.

There are other ways to solve problems with latency, but you can explore those in detail by heading to this web page about understanding latency.

Run Virus Scans

If you’ve allowed malicious programs onto your computer, this may be the culprit for reducing speeds. Therefore, to rule this out, make sure you have your firewall turned on at all times and then run regular virus scans. You most likely didn’t let the virus in on purpose – anything from suspicious links to downloading cracked games can open the door.

Reset Router Settings

Your router will come with settings that allow you to access Wi-Fi. However, there are changes you can often make to improve download speeds, but you need to know what you’re doing. If you change the wrong setting, you may cause connectivity issues. If you’ve recently tinkered with the settings, head back into the router and reset everything.

Firmware Updates

Your modem is operated by firmware, which is embedded and updated by your ISP. Typically, any updates are sent overnight, and they won’t cause issues with your usage. However, there are circumstances when updates fail, meaning the firmware may misbehave. Luckily, the majority of ISPs allow you to manually install and update your router with the latest firmware.

Sluggish speeds or complete drops in Wi-Fi can cause significant issues these days, which is why you need to learn how to perform the basic troubleshooting tasks outlined above.