Why is my T-Mobile Home Internet keep disconnecting? We’ll share with you the exact steps we performed to resolve this issue.
With T-Mobile’s expanding customer base of over 30 million subscribers, it’s unavoidable to run into certain problems.
We recently found the most effective solutions you can do to fix this problem in under 10 minutes.
Let’s get to it!
To fix your T-Mobile Home Internet that keeps on disconnecting, the first thing you want to do is power off your gateway. Unplug it and check if it’s hot to the touch. Let it rest for a few hours, so it cools back down. If it continues to heat up, use a fan to cool it down.
Let’s take a closer look at the different causes of this issue before we go to the fix guide that will help you get your internet back in no time.
Why T-Mobile Home Internet Keeps Dropping Connection
If your T-Mobile Home Internet continues to drop its connection, there are several reasons why this can happen.
We recommend checking the number of connected devices to your gateway.
You can split it up by using your device’s 5G WiFi feature. You also want to make sure that T-Mobile’s service is not down.
Here are some of the factors to consider with your T-Mobile connection:
1. Too Many Connected Devices
Your gateway can only handle a certain number of devices, and going over that count can cause your internet to disconnect.
2. Poor Signal
The T-Mobile Home Internet relies on their 5G service. If you’re getting a poor signal, your internet will be affected.
3. Gateway Configuration
There are settings on your gateway that can cause unexpected disconnections. Make sure you set it up properly.
4. Service Outage
T-Mobile’s service can run into problems. They can experience a signal loss, especially if they’re performing maintenance activities in your area.
5. Overheating Gateway
A hot gateway can affect your overall connection quality causing slow internet and disconnections.
How to Fix T-Mobile Home Internet Keep Disconnecting
Now that you know the different issues you will face let’s check the easiest fix you can perform on your T-Mobile Home Internet gateway.
We recommend restarting it and allowing it to reconnect to the T-Mobile network.
If a restart does not resolve this error, you’re likely looking at a more serious issue.
You can move forward with more advanced solutions starting with a power cycle:
Solution #1: Power Cycle Your Home Internet Gateway
A reboot can only do so much, and it’s not able to reset your gateway completely.
To do that, you’ll need to perform a power cycle, which discharges your device and removes any temporary files that are saved in the memory.
Doing this ensures that your gateway loads up its current configuration, not those saved in its memory.
The key difference between a reboot and a power cycle is the discharge portion of the step. You’ll need to ensure that there is no residual electricity in your device’s circuitry.
Here’s how to properly power cycle your T-Mobile gateway:
- Turn off your gateway using the power button.
- Unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
- Wait for at least 2 to 5 minutes before plugging it back in.
- Turn on your gateway and wait for it to connect.
Tip: You’ll need to wait for your gateway to connect to the network before you connect your devices via WiFi.
Solution #2: Clear Your Browser Cache and Cookies
If your T-Mobile Home Internet continues to disconnect, there could be an issue with your browser’s settings.
Looking at your gateway, you’ll see nothing wrong since its LED notification lights do not show any error.
If this is the case, you’ll want to clear your browser cache and cookies, so it loads the website you’re requesting fresh and does not rely on any saved files.
Saved cookies can sometimes mess up how your browser connects to the website, so it’s best to clear this every once in a while.
Here’s how to clear your browser cache and cookies:
- Open your browser and open its Settings page.
- Find the Clear browsing data button.
- Choose a time range. We recommend deleting everything.
- Check the Cookies and other site data box.
- Check the Cached images and files box.
Note: There are minor differences between browsers, but these steps should work.
Solution #3: Connect to Your Gateway’s 5 GHz Band
If you’re using WiFi, your number one concern whenever your internet disconnects is network congestion.
Did you know that all WiFi networks run on the same frequency? This essentially means that all WiFi traffic goes through a single “highway.”
If there are several networks and users in your area, you can be sure that this will be congested, and you’re more likely to experience slowdowns and disconnections.
The 5 GHz band is like a brand-new highway with more lanes to accommodate more networks and users.
Here’s how to connect to your gateway’s 5G WiFi:
- Log in to your T-Mobile gateway.
- Go to Basic, then Network.
- Select WiFi.
- Activate 5 GHz WiFi.
- Click Save.
Note: You’ll need to remember that your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz settings are different, so you’ll need to configure them separately.
Solution #4: Change Your Gateway’s WiFi Channel
If the 5 GHz WiFi band is a brand-new highway, WiFi channels can be considered express lanes where your data can travel exclusively without the risk of congestion.
Specifying which channel to use allows your data to travel unhampered by others.
WiFi bands have a couple of default channels that they use. These are going to contain most of the data of the different networks.
However, specifying to use one, not in the default list allows you to steer clear of the data traffic.
Here’s how to change your T-Mobile’s gateway channel:
- Log in to your T-Mobile gateway.
- Click on the Expert tab.
- Select Network.
- Scroll down and select the drop-down next to Channel.
- Choose one of the channels.
Note: Remember to do it separately for both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.
Solution #5: Cool Down Your Gateway
As your gateway connects to the internet, it can heat up and eventually slow down your network.
If it gets too hot, it can even disconnect your devices from the network giving your equipment a chance to cool down.
If you’re experiencing constant disconnections at random times, you will want to feel your router and ensure it’s not getting too hot.
Here’s how to cool down your gateway:
- Turn off your gateway and unplug it from the wall socket.
- Get a small fan or laptop cooler and place your gateway on top of it.
- Turn it on, so it blows cool air up into your gateway.
- Allow your gateway to rest for at least 30 minutes.
Note: Also, check for dust and dirt around it and wipe it down as it can also affect the airflow into your gateway.
Solution #6: Reset Your Gateway to Factory Defaults
Finally, if your internet continues to disconnect, you can consider resetting your T-Mobile gateway even after performing these solutions we described.
You may have configured your router, and these settings are causing the disconnections.
To be sure that you resolve this issue, you want to reset your gateway and revert it to its factory defaults.
Now, you’ll be able to reconfigure it carefully, so you don’t run into the same issues again.
Here’s how to reset your T-Mobile gateway:
- Locate the Reset button at the back of your gateway.
- Get a paperclip or something similar to poke the Reset button.
- Using the paperclip, press and hold the Reset button.
- Wait for your gateway’s lights to start flashing.
- The gateway should reset and reboot automatically.
Note: Resetting your gateway to factory defaults will delete all configurations you have made.
That’s it! If you’re T-Mobile Home Internet keeps on disconnecting, these are the proven solutions that you can try to resolve the issue.
If none of these help, you out, feel free to contact T-Mobile support.
Read Next: How to Fix T-Mobile Gateway Not Working?
Bottom Line
Now that you know the reasons why your T-Mobile Home Internet keeps disconnecting, you know have the knowledge to fix it.
Follow these steps, and you should be able to enjoy stable internet so you can work, stream, and game.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.