If your Spectrum router keeps dropping WiFi for an unknown reason, be sick by the end of this post and your issue shall be gone for good.
We’re about to unveil ALL reasons behind the random outages and provide transparency on the topic.
To fix the Spectrum Router that keeps dropping WiFi, perform a restart of the router/modem. If the issue is still there, remove ANY interference, disconnect other devices and disable the guest network. It is also recommended to update the router’s firmware and prevent overheating.
There is so much more you can try but before we jump into the solutions, let’s take a further look at the possible causes.
Why Spectrum WiFi Keeps Dropping Connection?
Here is what users frequently report when their Spectrum routers are dropping connection:
- Temporary glitch – All it takes to resolve any temporary glitches is a restart.
- Interference – Physical or online type of interference might as well cause outages with the WiFi.
- Outdated firmware – If your equipment is outdated the WiFi could also drop.
- Overheating– People usually don’t rest their routers if everything works smoothly but that can cause overheating if the device is in a dusty area.
There is also the possibility of wrongfully configured settings and we’re about to address that as well. With all that in mind let’s jump right in!
How To Fix Spectrum Router Keeps Dropping WiFi Issue?
The most important thing to check before you continue would be if the device you’ll be using to test the WiFi after each solution is reliable.
In that regard, we recommend taking a computer/laptop and smartphone to test the WiFi from more than one device.
When you’re ready with the preparation it’s time, to begin with the first solution.
Solution #1 Hard Reset Router
The hard reset is the more advanced version of a simple restart so let’s check how it’s done:
- Turn off the device by pressing the power button once.
- Unplug the power adapter from the source.
- Wait for several minutes and plug the power adapter back in.
- Turn on your device and test out the network.
Focus on the globe light (network), when it’s lit up that means that the router is ready to restart and it’s time to test the WiFi. If the outage is still there let’s remove any possible interference.
Solution #2 Remove Interference
If any interference is caused, your WiFi will constantly drop.
To remove any interference, you can follow these tips:
- Make sure large and metal objects are not around or on top of the router.
- Make sure your router is not in a high place or near the ceiling.
- Disable the airplane mode on your smartphone.
- Make sure the router’s antennas are spread widely.
- Take away any electrical devices nearby the router.
Once you’ve got all that right, you can test the WiFi and if the issue is still persistent let’s continue with the next solution.
Solution #3 Stop Router Overheating
If your Spectrum router keeps dropping WiFi it might be overheating. This is common for users as usually, the devices are in the corner of the room where it is dusty.
You can just do that by checking if the outages happen immediately after the router is started or after a certain time.
The best thing you can do is to plug out your router from the power and wait for 10-20 minutes to cool down.
You can try to blow inside the router through the ventilation openings to check if there is a lot of dust. If there is, it might be overheating constantly.
If you’re confident you can open and clean the inside of your router at home, otherwise you can seek assistance.
Solution #4 Relieve The WiFi Network & Stop VPN
If your router is not overheating then there might be a lot of devices automatically connecting leading to overloading the network.
The best thing you can do is disconnect ALL devices that are not being actually used, that are unnecessarily connecting to the WiFi.
Additionally, it is good to ensure that no devices that are connected to the WiFi are actively running VPN software. The best approach is always to completely delete any VPN, restart your router and then test your WiFi.
Solution #5 Shorten The Distance
It is possible that your device is going through WiFi outages if you’re not at a considerable distance from the router. To exclude this possibility really fast, simply go next to the router connected to the WiFi and test.
If the outages seem to evade after you’re closer to the router then you should shorten the distance between the receiver devices and the router.
Solution #6 Update Router
If you haven’t updated your network Spectrum device, it is possible that it has fallen behind with the firmware builds leading to instability in the WiFi.
Note: To update the router, you must have the Spectrum app where you can gain access to all these configurations.
Once you’ve gained access to the Spectrum app, follow these steps to update your router:
- Open the Spectrum app and go to the Firmware version tab.
- Click on Check for updates.
- Once the checker has finished, click on the Download and apply button.
After clicking on the button, your router will initiate an update and will restart a couple of times during the process. Be patient and wait until it’s fully updated, then check the WiFi, and if the issues are still there let’s take a look at the settings.
Solution #7 Disable Guest Network
Whenever the Spectrum router keeps dropping WiFi it could be because of the guest network. To simplify, this feature provides an additional connection, separate from the one you’re using, often leading to lag and delay in the primary.
To disable the guest network you’ll need the online Router settings using your router’s IP address. You’ll need a Windows-operated computer to do this.
Note: You can find your router’s IP by heading in the CMD (Command Prompt) and typing ipconfig.
Once you press enter, search for the bar that says router IP and copy the digits next to it.
Once you’ve copied the IP, follow these instructions:
- Paste your router’s IP into the search field of your browser.
- Press enter and on the next page, use “admin” and “password” as login credentials.
- Once in your router’s configuration system, go to the Network tab.
- From there go to the Guest Network tab and click all ticked checkboxes once.
- Once done, click on the confirm button at the bottom of the page to apply the changes.
It is recommended to restart your router and then test your WiFi in order to provide a clean boot without an active guest network.
Solution #8 Factory Reset Spectrum Router
If nothing works, then you should factory reset your Spectrum router, but you should know that ALL settings and WiFi configurations will be gone.
We recommend creating a backup before you continue so you can restore the settings easily after the reset.
To perform a factory reset, please follow these steps:
- Make sure your Spectrum router is up and running.
- Use a pin or a paperclip or access the small reset buttonhole on the back of your router.
- Press the button and hold it down for ~10 seconds.
- Once your router’s lights go off, release the button and wait.
Once the router is reset you can configure the WiFi and test it right away. Unfortunately, if it does not work you’ll need to contact Spectrum first and then your ISP for additional assistance.
Don’t get discouraged as we might have a temporary fix in our next solution!
Solution #9 Use Wired Connection (Bonus)
This solution is more of a workaround instead of a fix but it might get your internet working without interruptions.
You’ll simply need an Ethernet cable long enough to hook up your PC and router together so let’s check how to connect it:
To set up the wired connection, you can follow these steps:
- Plug one end of the Ethernet cable into one of the yellow slots of the router.
- Plug the other end into the LAN card of your PC.
Once ready you’ll be asked to set a home network so follow the on-screen instructions to complete the wired connection. Test for network outages and if the problem is still there then the issue is not coming from the WiFi at all. Contact your ISP for further instructions.
If spectrum internet keeps dropping WiFi, try power cycling your device, disable guest networks, prevent overheating, and update the Spectrum router firmware. Next, shorten the distance between your devices, performing a factory reset and using a wired connection to fix dropping spectrum internet.
Read Next: How to Fix Spectrum WiFi Connected But No Internet?
Last Thoughts
Now when you know why Spectrum router keeps dropping WiFi you should be able to solve the issue at home.
If, however, you were unable to solve the problem your ISP should be able to guide you in the right direction so good luck!
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. Check out more about him here.