Why does my WiFi keep disconnecting?

You can usually tell that your WiFi has disconnected or dropped when your device suddenly stops connecting to the internet. For example, if you’re browsing the web and a page won’t load, or if a video suddenly pauses and starts buffering, it could be a sign that your WiFi connection has dropped. Apps that need internet, like messaging or streaming services, might stop working or show error messages too.

Another sign is the WiFi symbol on your device. Most devices a small WiFi icon at the top or bottom of the screen, and if the symbol disappears, changes to a warning sign, or shows an exclamation mark, it usually means there’s a problem with the connection.

In some cases, your device might still show that it’s connected to WiFi, but the internet won’t work. This could mean the router is on, but it’s not able to broadcast the internet connection from your broadband provider to your device.

There’s plenty of things that can cause your WiFi to drop on your device, and it’s not always to do with your WiFi or router not working. The good news is that there are a few common reasons this might be happening, and most of them are easy to fix:

1. You need to restart your router

Over time, your router can run into small software glitches or memory issues that cause it to behave oddly. These might not always show obvious signs, but they can affect how your device connects to the internet. If your router has been running non-stop for days or weeks, it may just need a break. Restarting your router can help clear out any minor issues and get things working properly again.

Solution:

1. Unplug your router from the power socket.

2. Wait for about 10 seconds.

3. Plug it back in and wait a few minutes for it to fully restart.

4. Check your device to see if the connection is stable again.

2. You need to restart your device

Sometimes, the issue isn’t the WiFi itself but the device you’re using. Phones, laptops, tablets and even smart TVs can have background processes or software bugs that interfere with your connection. For example, your device may be “stuck” trying to reconnect, or it may have trouble switching between WiFi and mobile data. Restarting the device gives it a clean slate and can solve hidden problems.

Solution:

1. Turn your device off completely (don’t just put it to sleep).

2. Wait about 10–15 seconds.

3. Turn it back on and reconnect to your WiFi.

4. Your broadband isn’t fast enough for everyone

If there are several people in your household using the internet at the same time – especially for things like video calls, streaming films in HD, or online gaming – your broadband might not have enough bandwidth for everyone. Each device takes up a share of your available bandwidth, and if too many people are online at once, your connection may slow down or even cut out completely.

Solution:

1. Ask others in your home if they’re downloading or streaming – these use a lot of bandwidth.

2. Pause or stop high-data tasks on other devices to free up bandwidth.

3. Connect high-priority devices like smart TVs or game consoles directly to the router using an Ethernet cable, if possible.

3. Your WiFi signal is too weak

WiFi signals lose strength the farther they travel, and can be blocked by thick walls, floors, or furniture around your home. If you’re using your device in a room far away from the router, the signal might be too weak to keep you connected. This can lead to a connection that drops often or runs very slowly. You might notice this especially in bedrooms upstairs, your home office, or any rooms that are farthest away from the router.

Solution:

1. Move closer to the router when using your device.

2. Keep the router in a central, open space – away from walls or hidden corners.

3. Consider getting a WiFi booster or mesh system if you have signal problems in certain rooms.

4. Your broadband isn’t fast enough for everyone

If there are several people in your household using the internet at the same time – especially for things like video calls, streaming films in HD, or online gaming – your broadband might not have enough bandwidth for everyone. Each device takes up a share of your available bandwidth, and if too many people are online at once, your connection may slow down or even cut out completely.

Solution:

1. Ask others in your home if they’re downloading or streaming – these use a lot of data.

2. Pause or stop high-data tasks on other devices to free up bandwidth.

3. Connect high-use devices like smart TVs or game consoles directly to the router using an Ethernet cable, if possible.

4. Contact your broadband provider to ask if a faster package is available for your household’s needs.

5. Other devices are interfering with your connection

Your router sends out radio waves to communicate with your devices – but so do many household items. Things like cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, and even wireless doorbells can interfere with your WiFi, especially if you’re on the 2.4 GHz band. This interference can cause your connection to drop or become unstable, even if you’re near the router.

Solution:

1. Keep your router away from other electronic devices.

2. Switch to the 5 GHz band in your WiFi settings, if your router supports it.

3. Avoid placing the router near thick walls, metal, or mirrors.

6. There’s an outage in your area

Sometimes, the issue has nothing to do with your home or your devices. Your internet provider might be experiencing technical difficulties or carrying out maintenance in your area. When this happens, you might lose your connection suddenly and not be able to reconnect, even if your router appears to be working.

Solution:

1. Check your provider’s website or service status page. If you’re with us, you can use our service status checker to see there’s an outage in your area.

2. Use your mobile data temporarily if needed.

3. If the problem continues, call your provider to ask for an update or estimated repair time.

It can be tricky to tell whether your broadband is disconnecting completely or just working slowly. Both problems can feel very similar – web pages take ages to load, videos buffer, or your apps stop working properly. But there are a few signs that can help you work out what’s really going on.

If your broadband is disconnecting, you’ll probably lose your internet connection altogether for short periods. You might see a message like “No internet” or “Disconnected” on your device, or the WiFi symbol may disappear or show an exclamation mark on your device. This means your device is no longer connected to the internet at all, even though it might still be connected to your router.

If your broadband is just slow, you’ll usually stay connected, but everything online takes longer than usual. Pages might load slowly, videos may look blurry or pause to buffer, and downloads can take forever. Slow broadband can be caused by too many devices using the internet at once, a weak WiFi signal, or issues with your broadband speed.

If the internet keeps cutting out completely, restarting your router or checking for local outages might help. If it’s just slow, you may need to check your WiFi setup, reduce how many devices are connected, or think about upgrading your broadband speed for what you need.

If you’re internet keeps dropping after trying to fix your connection issues, the problem may be with the broadband speed you’ve got at home rather than your setup. In that case, it may to be time to upgrade your broadband package and get those ultrafast and reliable internet speeds you’re after.

At Virgin Media, we’ve got a range of superfast and ultrafast broadband deals with speeds to suit every home – ranging from 100Mbps with M125 all the way to 1Gbps and beyond when you go gigabit.

Not sure what you can get? Check out all of our broadband deals and enter your postcode to see what’s available in your area.