What to do if your Windows PC keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi

Today, Windows PCs are well-established machines with an OS that has been around for decades. But Wi-Fi can sometimes go haywire. And the reasons can be very different.

A good Wi-Fi connection at home is vital for most homes today. Whatever the need. To take advantage of the best, manufacturers offer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E in their latest products. But sometimes, despite having the latest technology at home, nothing works. If your Windows PC keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi, be aware that this is a fairly common problem. And finding the cause can be quite difficult. Here are some things to check yourself. And who knows, maybe you can fix the problem.

Reconnect to the Wi-Fi network

Before you really dive into the inner workings, you might want to forget and fix the network first. Sometimes this is enough. Do it:

1. Open the start menu.
2. Click the “Settings”icon and select “Network and Internet”.
3. Select Wi-Fi and click Manage Known Networks.
4. Select the problematic network and click “Forget”.
5. This one will disappear from known networks.

Restart your computer using the Power option in the Start menu and reconnect to your Wi-Fi network:

1. On the taskbar, click the Network icon.
2. If Wi-Fi is not enabled, turn it on.
3. Let your computer search for nearby networks and wait until one appears.
4. Click Sign in with name and enter a password if required.
5. Now try browsing the web and check if the connection is stable.

If your computer turns off after a few seconds, the problem is still there. Otherwise good. Please note that occasional disconnection is not a sign of a real problem with your network or your computer.

Restart your router and PC

The wireless router and your computer communicate through different connections at different levels. It is possible that some cell in the stack is faulty and is causing the disconnect. The easiest way is to reboot the router. Restarting your PC also helps free up resources. In fact, restarting the router and computer is a good thing:

1. Turn off the router.
2. If your router has a battery, disconnect that too.
3. Wait 30 seconds before reconnecting.
4. On your PC, from the Start menu, click the Power button and select Restart.
5. Once launched, try to connect to your Wi-Fi network.
6. Once connected, look around a bit to see if you are disconnected.

This may be basic, but it may work. Otherwise, keep reading.

Update your wireless network drivers and run diagnostics

Drivers are necessary for the correct operation of the components. An aging driver can be a source of concern for you. To update them:

1. Press Windows + X and select “Device Managers”from the menu on the left.
2. Click the arrow under Network Interfaces to open the list and double-click your wireless adapter.
3. In the window that opens, click on the Driver tab and select Update driver.
4. Windows will then start searching for new updates. Follow the installation instructions.

In Windows 10, Microsoft offers a diagnostic tool:

1. Press Windows + 4 and type “control”(without quotes) in the Run dialog box. Press “Enter”or “OK”.
2. The control panel will appear. Click the option next to “View”and select “Large Icons”to see the “Diagnostics”option. Click here.
3. Select Network and Internet, then Network Interface. In the window that pops up, click Next at the bottom and let the tool do its job.
4. Follow the instructions to fix any issues found.
5. Restart your computer.

Disable Wi-Fi Sense and change power management settings.

Wi-Fi makes it easy to connect to surrounding networks by scanning networks to connect to ones you’ve used before. When the function finds such a network, it tries to connect to it. And sometimes it tries to connect a bit haphazardly, constantly disconnecting you.

To deactivate it:

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Click “Network and Internet”and select “Manage Wi-Fi settings”.
3. Scroll down to find Wi-Fi Sense. Disable “Connect to suggested hotspots”and “Connect to networks my contacts use”.
4. Restart your computer and check if your connection is stable.

Power management can also cause problems. Microsoft developed this feature to reduce power consumption, mainly for laptops. This feature can disable the Wi-Fi adapter and turn you off immediately.

1. Press Windows + X to open the Quick Actions menu and select Device Manager.
2. Click the arrow under Network Interfaces and double-click your wireless adapter.
3. In the window that opens, go to the Power Management tab.
4. Uncheck “Allow the computer to turn off this feature to save power”.
5. Restart your computer and check.

Other points to check

Each router has a specific range in which it broadcasts. Most often on 2.4 GHz routers, this is 45 meters. For 5 GHz routers, this is 15-20 meters. This range depends on many external factors. You won’t notice a difference if you’re well below that distance, but if you’re on the edge or farther away, getting closer can help.

Setting your home network as public also helps a lot. Click the network icon on the taskbar and select Properties. In the “Network Profile”section, select “Public”instead of “Private”. Let’s see if this fixes the situation.

Other possible causes include malware or faulty cables. Run an antivirus/antimalware scan and check your router cables.

If none of this works, call a specialist. You can also contact your ISP, which can sometimes help.