Causes of Losing Wireless Connectivity

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It’s very frustrating to constantly lose your Wi-Fi connection. You call your ISP and they reset the modem/router by sending an electronic signal, or they tell you to unplug it.

That’s tantamount to placing a band-aid over a bullet wound. It’s a temporary fix because, a few minutes after your call to tech support, you’re right back at square one.

This gets old after a short while and you really want to find a solution. The ISP’s often leave you with the notion that you can’t do anything about temporarily and periodically losing your connection but that is not true. You can correct the situation because there is a concrete reason as to why you’re continually losing your signal.

Check For Interference

Electronic devices in your home such as a microwave, cordless phone, garage door remote, and a few other gadgets can interfere with your wireless signal. Make sure your wireless router is not too close to these devices.

High Speed Internet

It’s a must that you have a high speed Internet connection via DSL, cable, or fiber optics. Do not go with the fledgling Internet Service Providers because they still have kinks to work out. Sign-up with a reputable company.

Types of Broadband Technology

  • DSL: This is a type of service that operates over local phone lines and is faster than dial up. Doesn’t tie up your phone line.
  • ISDN: This is one of the oldest and most common forms for service. It was the standard before cable and DSL options.
  • Leased Lines: Primarily used by businesses and involves technology such as T-1 lines.
  • Local Area Network (LAN): Type of service that involves Ethernet connections or Wi-Fi.
  • Satellite Broadband: Satellite dishes for television has now expanded to Internet service.
  • Cellular Broadband: Mobile Internet service. Check emails and surf the web from a Smartphone.
  • Wireless ISP: Wireless Internet service has expanded the Internet into areas that once were off limits to the World Wide Web.
  • Cable Broadband: Cable television, Phone, and Internet Service, aka “Triple Play” is now available in many areas of the country. Cable Broadband is fast, reliable, and very easy to setup.

Wireless Router and Modem

Your modem is supplied by your ISP. It may not be top-of-the-line but it’s usually a little better than average. However, you can decide which wireless router to use. Choose either Netgear, D-Link, Belkin, Motorola, and a few other name brand router manufacturers. Do not purchase the cheapest you can find. Prepare to pay in the range of $75 to $200 for a quality wireless router.

Range Extender

A range extender or signal booster is a device that extends the range of your wireless signal. If interference is not the reason you’re losing your connection then once you add a signal booster you will rarely, if ever, lose your wireless connectivity again.

Change Wi-Fi Router Channel

Browse to the address of your router which is probably set to http://192.168.1.1. You can also run a quick ipconfig command at the command prompt to check your routers IP Address. Start – Programs – Accessories – Command Prompt.

You’re looking for the Default Gateway for your Wireless connection. Usually it’s the same as the IP address. Go to: http://192.168.1.1 in your web browser. Enter user name (admin) and password (password). That may not be your user name and password but both are typically the default settings.

Under “Setup” click “Wireless Settings,” click drop-down arrow to the right of Channel and select another channel. Click “Apply.”

The most commonly used channels are 1, 6, and 11.

Published by Kane D.