Why Does Your Phone Keep Disconnecting from WiFi?

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If your phone keeps disconnecting from the WiFi, it may stutter as it swings back and forth from WiFi to the mobile data. If it never reconnects, you may simply notice that the data is turned on when you didn’t mean to use it. In any case, it sure can be annoying! Luckily, this is one of the easier tech headaches to fix. The main trick is figuring out whether your phone or your router is at fault. If your phone drops connections everywhere, it’s probably the phone. If this only happens at home, it’s likely the router.

Reasons Why Your Phone Disconnects from WiFi

  1. The internet might be down.
  2. Your phone may need to restart.
  3. You could be too far from the router.
  4. There might be something blocking the connection.
  5. Your phone may be trying to connect to other networks.
1

The internet might be down.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Check to see if the WiFi is working on your computer, your friend’s phone, or some other electronic. If it isn’t, the internet may just be down wherever you are. If you’d like, call your internet service provider to figure out whatever’s going on, but this may just be a waiting game. Before you take any dramatic steps, just confirm that the internet is actually working. [1]
    2. Advertisement
2

Your phone may need to restart.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Settings on your phone can get screwed up for a variety of reasons, but restarting just might fix whatever the issue was. Hold the power button down on your phone and restart it. Wait for it to turn back on and check to see if the WiFi issue is fixed. [2]
    • It’s a good idea to just restart your phone every other day or so anyway; when your phone is on for too long, it can cause all kind of issues with the performance.
    • You can also just turn airplane mode on and then off. That basically severs your connection to the cellular network and WiFi, which may fix the problem as well.
3

You could be too far from the router.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If the router is in the basement and you’re on a third-floor deck, the signal may not simply reach your phone. [3] If you can, get closer to the router to see if the problem solves itself. Short of getting closer, there are a few things you can do to improve the connection: [4]
    • Get a signal extender to increase the range of your WiFi.
    • Place the router in a more central location, preferably on the middlemost floor (i.e. if you have a basement and second floor, put the router on the first floor).
    • Keep the area around the router clear, especially when it comes to other electronics.
    2. Advertisement
4

There might be something blocking the connection.

PDF download Download Article
  1. A decent WiFi signal should be able to penetrate thinner walls, but thicker materials can interrupt a connection. [5] Other signals, like radios and microwaves, can interfere with your WiFi as well. If possible, change your location so that you’re in eyeshot of the router. [6]
    • Set the router on a table or stand so that it isn’t resting directly on the floor.
    • Since routers aren’t mobile and you won’t always be able to sit in front of the router when you’re using the WiFi, consider upgrading your internet or getting a signal extender.
    • If you’re using a public signal, there may be no way to know where the router is located. You can always ask a worker if you’re at a coffee shop or something like that, though!
5

Your phone might be picking up interference from other networks.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you walk down the street, your phone is going to spend some of its energy identifying every open WiFi connection you come across. To fix this on Android, go into your “Settings” and turn off “Smart Network Switch.” On iPhone, go into “Settings,” select “WiFi,” and turn on “Ask to Join Networks.” [7]
    • At home, you can try changing then router’s band (think of it like switching lanes on a highway). To do this, open a web browser and type your router’s IP address into the address bar. Hit enter and sign into your router. Go to the “Wireless Settings” menu and click the drop down “Channels” menu to change which band you’re on. [8]
    • Some phones (especially older phones) will not have a setting like this. If you don’t find a menu option for this in your phone, you don’t have it.
    2. Advertisement
6

Your WiFi+ feature might be turned on.

PDF download Download Article
  1. WiFi+ is a special feature on some Android phones. Basically, it tells your phone to find the ideal WiFi signal when more than one option is available. If your phone is in between two similar signals, your phone may not be able to make up its mind. Go into “Settings” tap on the “WiFi” menu. Turn off the “WiFi+” to see if your phone’s connection stays consistent. [9]
    • iPhones don’t have any features that are comparable, so you don’t need to worry about this one if you’re an Apple user.
7

Your phone may be trying to connect to outdated networks.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Some routers will put out multiple signals (usually one of them is a faster option), and your phone may swap between them automatically. Your phone may also attempt picking up on an older version of your WiFi without asking. Go into your WiFi menu and “Forget” every network you no longer use or need.
    2. Advertisement
8

Your phone may need an update.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Go into the settings menu (for both Android and iOS ) and check to see if there’s a pending update. Install it, then restart your phone. Developers often release patches and updates, and if your phone is running an older version of the firmware, it might mess with the WiFi connection. [10]
9

A new app is messing up your connection.

PDF download Download Article
  1. It is possible that an app with permission for your WiFi is messing things up. If you recently installed an app and you’ve noticed that your WiFi connection is randomly turning on and off, try uninstalling the app (or disabling it manually if you really need it). If you aren’t sure which app is messing with the WiFi, you may need to uninstall multiple apps and then reinstall them one at a time to find the culprit. [11]
    • This is particularly common with VPN apps, antivirus programs, and “WiFi prioritizer” apps.
    • Unreputable apps and malware can also mess with your phone’s connectivity.
    • If you’re given the option and it won’t interfere with the apps usability, don’t give apps permission to use Wi-Fi in the background when you aren’t actively using the app.
    2. Advertisement
10

The router might need a reset.

PDF download Download Article
  1. Like any piece of tech, your router can get buggy. The easiest way to do this is to simply unplug your router, wait one minute, and then plug it back in again. Give this a shot to see if it fixes your connection. [12]
    • There is also a reset button on your router. You can push that in with a paperclip, but it will also reset your router back to factory settings. If you had any hiccups setting the router up originally and you had to manually change any settings to get it to work, it’s probably best not to do this.
11

There may be a permission issue.

PDF download Download Article
  1. The option for to reset permissions typically says “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile, and Bluetooth,” and pressing this may solve your problem. [13] If it doesn’t, it might be an issue on your router’s side of things. Every router has different procedures for this, so read your router’s manual to see how you change permissions. [14]
    • Typically, you’ll need to go on to a computer and enter a specific web address to access your router’s configuration page. On there, go to the “Access Control” menu and make sure that “MAC Address Filter” is off.
    • You’ll need your routers IP address to do this. Type “cmd” in the search bar and enter “ipconfig” in the command prompt to pull up your router’s IP. A majority of the time, the IP will be 192.168.1.1.
    2. Advertisement
12

If you can’t find a cause, try factory resetting the phone.

PDF download Download Article
  1. If you’ve confirmed the WiFi is working just fine but your phone is still acting up with the WiFi, reset it to the original factory state. Make sure you’ve backed everything up and go into your phone’s settings. Hit the “Restore Phone” or “Reset to Factory Settings” and let your phone totally revert to its original settings. [15]
    • If your WiFi still randomly turns off and on, it’s very likely that something is physically wrong with your phone’s hardware.

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why does my router stop working randomly?
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    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.
    Luigi Oppido
    Computer & Tech Specialist
    Expert Answer
    You may just need to restart your router. After leaving it on for a long time, it can start to act buggy and a restart can help.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 23 Helpful 5
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Connect to the Internet: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone
      How to
      Get a Free Internet Connection
      How to
      See a WiFi Password on Android With or Without a QR Code
      How to
      Connect to the Internet On Your Laptop Through Your Cell Phone
      7 Different Ways to Get Free WiFi at Home
      8 Easy Ways to Get Online Without Internet Service
      4 Ways to Disable Internet Access
      9 Solutions If You’re Connected to Wi-Fi But Can’t Access the Internet
      The Easy Way to Share an Internet Connection over Ethernet or WiFi
      How to
      Build Your Own Internet Service Provider
      How to
      Close a Free AOL Account
      How to
      Set Up an Internet Connection
      Why Does My Computer Keep Disconnecting from Wi-Fi? 10+ Potential Issues Behind Wi-Fi Connection
      How to
      Maximize the Speed of Your Internet Connection
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-to-check-up-and-fix-your-internet-connection/
      2. ↑ https://www.androidcentral.com/why-you-should-restart-your-phone-every-day
      3. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 February 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-location-for-router/
      5. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 February 2021.
      6. ↑ https://www.pcworld.com/article/227973/six_things_that_block_your_wifi_and_how_to_fix_them.html
      7. ↑ https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/11/how-to-fix-phone-no-data-conneciton-turn-off-wifi.html
      8. ↑ https://www.hellotech.com/guide/for/how-to-change-wifi-channel-on-router
      9. ↑ https://gadgetstouse.com/blog/2021/05/08/cannot-connect-wifi-saved-secured/
      1. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-does-turning-things-o_b_8638994
      2. ↑ https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-to-check-your-android-phone-for-malicious-apps/
      3. ↑ Luigi Oppido. Computer & Tech Specialist. Expert Interview. 24 February 2021.
      4. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/fix-most-common-smartphone-problems/
      5. ↑ https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-access-your-wi-fi-routers-settings
      6. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/fix-most-common-smartphone-problems/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 257,036 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement