Internet Keeps Disconnecting Every Few Minutes? What to Do

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Internet Keeps Disconnecting Every Few Minutes? What to Do

Problem Statement – Clear & Direct

Your internet connection keeps dropping every few minutes, even though it reconnects on its own.

Common Symptoms

  • Internet disconnects and reconnects repeatedly

  • Video calls freeze or drop

  • Online games disconnect unexpectedly

  • Streaming buffers every few minutes

  • Wi-Fi shows connected, then suddenly stops working

This issue is usually caused by instability, not a complete outage.

Why This Happens

Frequent disconnections often happen because:

  • The router is overheating or overloaded

  • Wi-Fi interference is interrupting the signal

  • The router firmware is outdated

  • Network congestion occurs during busy hours

  • A device or app repeatedly resets the connection

Most of the time, the problem is fixable with a few focused checks.

Step-by-Step Fixes

Step 1: Restart the Router (Once)

Start with a clean reset.

  • Unplug the router

  • Wait 30 seconds

  • Plug it back in

  • Wait for all lights to stabilize

This clears temporary glitches and memory overload.

Step 2: Check Router Placement

Poor placement causes frequent drops.

  • Keep the router in an open area

  • Avoid placing it near walls, metal objects, or electronics

  • Elevate it slightly if possible

Even small placement changes can improve stability.

Step 3: Reduce Wi-Fi Interference

Too many nearby signals can disrupt connections.

  • Move away from microwaves and cordless phones

  • Disconnect unused devices temporarily

  • Switch rooms and test the connection

If stability improves, interference was likely the cause.

Step 4: Restart the Affected Device

If the issue happens on one device more than others:

  • Restart the device

  • Turn Wi-Fi off and back on

  • Reconnect to the network

This refreshes the device’s connection to the router.

Step 5: Check for Updates

Outdated software can cause repeated drops.

  • Update the device’s operating system

  • Check for router firmware updates (if available)

Keeping software current improves connection reliability.

When This Doesn’t Work

If:

  • Disconnections happen across all devices

  • The issue occurs mostly at night

  • Restarting doesn’t help

The cause may be network congestion or ISP-related instability.

Next Best Action

At this point:

  • Test your internet speed during different times of day

  • Monitor whether drops happen consistently

  • Contact your ISP if disconnections are frequent and ongoing

Avoid replacing hardware until the cause is confirmed.

If disconnects happen more often in certain rooms, this guide explains how to place your router for better Wi-Fi coverage.

To see whether drops are related to connection quality, this guide shows how to test your internet speed and understand the results.

Final Tip

Frequent disconnects are frustrating—but they’re usually temporary.
Working through these steps helps you determine whether the issue is local or outside your control.

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