Why You Can’t Connect To WiFi At Home And How To Fix It

Your Router Is Down

A functioning router is essential for a WiFi connection. The router works to direct traffic between your internet service and the devices you are connecting to the network. Most of the time, you can “set it and forget it” when it comes to your router. However, if your router has been up and running for a while, it may get bogged down—in which case simply unplugging, waiting a few seconds and plugging your router back in can help.

Your Device Isn’t Connecting

If your router appears to be functioning and your internet service isn’t disconnected for any reason, the problem could be with your specific device. One way to test this is by checking to see if you are able to connect another device to WiFi—such as your phone or a tablet. If your WiFi connection issues are just limited to one device, then you know the problem is likely with the operating system.

In some cases, the solution is simple, like ensuring the correct WiFi password is connected to your device or rebooting your device to clear the cache. If that doesn’t do the trick, you may have picked up a virus or malware that is blocking your WiFi connection.

Your Internet Service Is Disrupted

If you suddenly lose your WiFi connection, the issue could be beyond your control. Although less and less common, internet service providers (ISPs) can go down on occasion—especially if there is extreme weather or you live in an area with a large volume of internet users who can congest the networks. If you have hotspot capabilities on your phone, you can try connecting to that network. If that’s successful, it’s a clear indication that the issue is with your in-home ISP.

Depending on the reason for the outage, you may just need to wait until service is restored. However, if this is a frustratingly common occurrence with your ISP, you may consider changing to a new provider that has higher reliability ratings.

The Signal Isn’t Strong Enough

With WiFi, the idea is that you can connect to your internet even when you’re well away from the router. However, the signal may not be strong enough to reach all corners of your home, especially if you have concrete walls or other solid obstacles that can obstruct the WiFi signal.

If this is a continual problem in an area of the home where you need WiFi, you have two good options: First, you can move your router to a more central area of the home, which could help the signal spread out better. Second, you can buy a WiFi extender, which can boost your signal in a certain room.