My Wi-Fi Connection Keeps Dropping

Modified on Sat, 28 Mar at 9:41 AM

This article explains what can cause your Wi-Fi connection to drop intermittently and how to resolve it. If your broadband is consistently slow rather than disconnecting, see How to improve your Wi-Fi speed instead.

Check your router is connected to the master socket

Your router should always be connected to your master socket, not an extension socket. Your master socket is the main phone socket where the external line enters your premises. It is usually larger than other sockets and is often found near the front entrance. Extension wiring is not designed to carry broadband signals reliably and can cause intermittent disconnections.

Check your microfilters

A microfilter is a small device that prevents your phone signal from interfering with your broadband signal. You only need microfilters if you have a standard master socket. If you have a pre-filtered socket with two built-in ports, you do not need microfilters.

If your microfilters are faulty or set up incorrectly, you are likely to experience connection issues. Check the following:

A microfilter is plugged into every socket that is in use.
No microfilters are plugged into each other.
No microfilters are plugged into sockets that are not in use.
If you suspect a microfilter is faulty, try replacing it with a spare to see if the issue is resolved.

Reboot your router

A reboot can clear temporary errors that cause intermittent disconnections:

Standard broadband: Switch your router off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on.
Fibre broadband: Switch your router off and leave it off for 20 minutes before turning it back on.

Wait for the router to fully restart. You may need to reconnect your devices to Wi-Fi once it has rebooted.

Check for wireless interference

Wi-Fi signals can be disrupted by nearby electronic devices and physical obstructions. To reduce interference:

Keep your router away from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices.
Place your router in a central, elevated position, free from large obstructions.
If your router has an external antenna, make sure it is pointing upwards.
Do not place your router inside a cupboard, behind a TV, or on the floor.

Check for Wi-Fi channel congestion

If there are many Wi-Fi networks nearby, your router's wireless channel may be congested. Most bOnline routers automatically select the best available channel. Rebooting your router can prompt it to switch to a less congested channel.

Test with a wired connection

To determine whether the issue is with your Wi-Fi signal or your broadband line:

Connect one end of the yellow Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on your computer.
Connect the other end to one of the yellow LAN ports on the back of your router.
Use the connection for a period of time and check if it remains stable.

If the wired connection is stable, the issue is with your Wi-Fi signal rather than the broadband line. Review the interference and positioning steps above. If the wired connection also drops, the issue may be with your broadband line or internal wiring. See How to troubleshoot slow broadband speeds for further diagnostics including test socket testing.

Try your test socket

Your test socket is located inside your master socket. By connecting to the test socket, you bypass all internal wiring and connect directly to your phone line. This helps identify whether internal wiring faults are causing the disconnections. For step-by-step instructions on how to access and use your test socket, see How to troubleshoot slow broadband speeds.