It could be quite frustrating when you see and notice that your BT WiFi keeps dropping out.
But what could be the issue here? Fret not, because, in this guide, we’ll give you a comprehensive walkthrough in identifying what went wrong.
Not only that but you will also be informed of the most accurate troubleshooting steps that you wouldn’t need any other guide!
If your BT WiFi keeps dropping/disconnecting, first double-check if there’s a network outage in your area. Then, check if there are loose cables to and from the master phone socket. After that, ensure that there are no devices or appliances that are near the hub and then switch to a different WiFi channel.
WiFi drops are rather a more common dilemma than a unique one. As a matter of fact, the cause of why it’s happening varies.
Before going into that a bit further, let us first try to unravel the reason behind why your BT WiFi keeps cutting out.
Why Does My BT WiFi Drop Frequently?
If we compare wired to wireless connections, obviously, the former would be more reliable.
Why? – Simply because the connection is direct, which means the data transmitted would be via the wire/cable.
But what could be the reasons for your WiFi to drop more often than it should?
- Physical obstructions/signal jammer causing interference
- The firmware/software of the hub isn’t up to date
- Outdated WiFi adapters
- Faulty/loose cables
- Technical difficulties/outages
The list goes on. In truth, it would really be difficult to get to the bottom of why the signals of your BT internet keeps dropping out.
But, you’re lucky!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the complete and comprehensive process of how you can resolve this dilemma on your own!
Our tutorial will be unlike all the others you’ll find online as ours wouldn’t be generic!
BT WiFi Keeps Dropping Out – All-Inclusive Fix Steps
We’ll tackle everything related and connected to your BT WiFi, so sit back, relax, and learn how you can get over this problem quickly and easily!
Step #1: Check If There’s a Network Outage
First things first – are you sure that you’re the only one who’s getting this problem? The issue might not be from your end, it could be with the provider.
So, double-check if there are any issues where you’re located. You can use BT’s facility to check for any signs of outage:
- On your browser, access BT’s connection status checker.
- Type in your BT phone number (landline) and click Check Status.
- Wait for the results.
If there’s an outage, then, most likely, everyone in your area that is also a BT subscriber is getting the same error.
Step #2: Ensure That All Cables Are Connected Properly
Then, the next thing you want to do is to make sure that all cables and wires are connected securely.
Loose cables are part of the most common reasons why internet connections problems prevail.
What you want to do is to check if the hub is securely linked up to the master phone socket.
- Go near the BT hub and locate the black cable with grey ends.
- Check if it’s plugged and inserted properly into the master phone socket.
- On the other end, ensure that it’s plugged in securely to the broadband socket.
Are You Using the Correct Power Cable?
Power cables wear out, too. Due to this, it has been a habit of most customers to change out the power cables on their own.
Not using the correct power cable could cause interference as it might not be supplying the needed or required power to the hub.
It’s also worth checking if the power cable is plugged in correctly or if you’re using the correct one that came from BT.
Step #3: Clear Out Interference-Causing Appliances
After that, what you want to do next is to clear out and remove any appliance or device that’s causing interference in the network.
Sometimes, we forget that there are a couple of items in our household that can cause WiFi problems.
These include microwave ovens, refrigerators, garage door openers, etc. Thick and hard physical obstructions could also cause WiFi interferences, so take note.
NOTE: Ensure that the BT hub is not anywhere near any of these appliances. Set a point of one (1) meter from the hub.
Step #4: Switch to a Different WiFi Channel
The BT hub is advanced as it has different internal WiFi channels that you can connect to.
Sometimes, a WiFi channel could be so congested and busy that dropping would be a normal thing. So, what you want to do is to switch to a different WiFi channel.
If you’re using the hub all alone, switching is easy, you simply have to turn the hub off for 30 seconds and then turn it back on again.
Switching WiFi Channel on Your Router
Should you be using a router, on the other hand, switching channels would be more complex.
You can complete it by performing the following steps:
- Open a browser and type in the router’s IP on the address bar.
- Enter your credentials to log into the router’s admin config settings.
- From there, go to Wireless > Wireless > 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz > Channels.
- It’s defaulted to Auto, so, just choose a different WiFi channel.
NOTE: The recommended WiFi channel to be on is 44 GHz.
Step #5: Update Your Hub’s Firmware
Is your firmware up to date? If it’s not, then it could be the reason why the connection is dropping.
The software, which the hub operates must be at the same type of technology being run internally.
So, it’s just right to make sure that the firmware/software of your BT hub is updated.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Plug the BT hub directly to a computer via an Ethernet cable.
- Then, type in 192.168.1.1 on the address bar.
- Input your username and password in the respective fields.
- Once in, navigate to Device Settings > Online Updates.
- Click on Check For Updates and wait for confirmation.
If there’s an update, the Update Now button will be clickable. Otherwise, it’ll tell you that you’re on the newest version.
NOTE: If you’re using a router, ensure that the firmware of the router is up to date, too.
Step #6: Hard Reset Your BT WiFi Hub
To conclude the fix process, perform a hard reset of your BT WiFi hub. This clears out the hub of any setting, refreshing it completely.
Factory resetting is easy, here’s how you can do it:
- On your BT hub, locate the Factory Reset button.
- It’ll be beneath a pinhole, so you’ll need a SIM card pin or a paperclip for it.
- Once you secure one, press and hold the button for 30 seconds to one (1) minute.
- Wait for the lights on the hub to restart.
- When it does, it’s the sign that you’ve successfully reset your BT WiFi hub.
NOTE: Wait for three (3) to five (5) minutes for the hub to settle and reinitialize completely.
The WiFi Dropping is Persistent, What Should I Do?
In the event that the problem is still there even after you’ve done the troubleshooting steps we outlined, contact BT’s customer support team.
This time, you won’t ask if there’s an outage or not. Narrate to them what you’re experiencing in full detail, and they’ll help you identify where the problem is coming from.
It’ll also be them who’ll tell you whether you need a new BT hub or not.
If your BT WiFi is dropping, check if there’s an outage. Then, make sure that all wires/cables are connected properly and securely. Get rid of all appliances that cause interference, and then switch to a different WiFi channel.
Should the problem still be there, proceed to factory reset your hub.
Read Next: How to Fix BT Youview Box No Signal?
Conclusion
If your BT WiFi keeps dropping out and you’re unsure of how to solve it, you’ll find our guide effective!
With this tutorial, you won’t panic the next time you experience this particular situation!
It doesn’t matter if you’re technically inclined or not – we drafted this tutorial to accommodate all BT customers and users who are having problems with dropped/dropping connections!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.