If you’re already feeling bugged and you can’t find the answer to the question: why does my WiFi keep turning off on my laptop, then you’re in for a treat!
In this guide, we’ll be discussing several causes on why our laptop’s WiFi keeps on disconnecting, as well as give you the permanent resolution for it!
If your laptop’s WiFi keeps getting disconnected, check the signal of the WiFi network because you could be out of range. Then, check on the status of your laptop’s WiFi driver and see to it that no software/program is restricting you from getting a smooth connection.
It is annoying when you find that your laptop’s WiFi functionality keeps on disconnecting or turning off.
But, in order for us to resolve it in the best ways possible, it will be crucial to determine the common causes and culprits on why it’s happening.
Why Does My WiFi Keep Turning Off on My Laptop? – Reasons
Whether you’re experiencing it on your laptop, your computer, or any other device that allows you to connect wirelessly, the suspects are almost always the same.
Here are some of the most reported reasons why the WiFi functionalities of your devices kick you out:
- There’s a current network (WiFi) outage
- You are not in the range of a stable wireless connection
- Your laptop’s WiFi network driver is not up to date
- Faulty or damaged modem or router
- Firewall or antivirus software
So, if you’re asking why does my WiFi keep disconnecting on my laptop, here are your reasons! But, if you’re going to try to determine the exact cause, it will take you forever.
That’s why in this tutorial, we’ll try to go over every possible reason and address it from its root cause to approach it exhaustively.
WiFi Keep Turning Off on My Laptop? – Complete Fix Steps
Relying on a single method to fix it will not be enough. If you’re lucky, you can pick out a step and it can change the course of your entire experience.
But, if you want to be 100% sure that it will be fixed, then you must follow this detailed step-by-step method religiously.
Step #1: Ensure That You Are Within Range
The first thing you want to do is to check if your position is acceptable relative to the spot or the location where the router or the modem is.
You can do this by checking the WiFi status bar (Top right for Mac; bottom right for Windows and see if you’re getting a strong signal).
NOTE: It’ll also be good to check if other devices within the same range are experiencing the same problem.
This will help you easily determine if the problem is with the laptop or the network.
Step #2: Diagnose/Troubleshoot it From Your Laptop
After that, try diagnosing the problem from your laptop. Whether you’re using a Windows or a Mac in this situation, you can usually diagnose WiFi and other network problems.
For a Mac, select the Apple Menu > System Preferences > Network. From that, you’ll see a button that says Assist Me > Diagnostics. Allow this function to load and give you its findings.
For Windows laptops, on the other hand, go to Control Panel. Locate Connectivity and right-click it, then select Troubleshoot Problems.
Once you’re done with these, just wait for the system to finalize its findings and you’ll be good to go!
Step #3: Check the WiFi Driver of Your Device
Windows laptops are often the most prone to this since the WiFi drivers of these devices are often left outdated.
For Macs, though, it’s been designed to do the update by itself – you just have to make sure you’re connected to WiFi.
Here’s how you can check your laptop’s WiFi driver:
- Open your laptop’s Device Manager.
- Right-click the WiFi Card Device > Properties.
- Choose the Driver tab and check Hardware ID.
- If it’s outdated, it’ll give you the option to do an update. Otherwise, it would not have any option to do so.
Step #4: Power Cycle/Restart Your Modem or Router
Then, try power cycling or restarting your modem or your router. To do this:
- Go near your modem or router.
- Unplug the device from power for about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Plug the cable back in again and wait for the device to reinitialize.
Step #5: Try to Disable Your Firewall and Antivirus Programs
Firewall and antivirus apps and programs are designed to keep your laptop free from any type of threat there is – and it involves viruses, malware, and even ransomware that could be roaming on wireless networks.
Sometimes, just the simple fact of activating your Firewall or your antivirus program can make your laptop disconnected from the network.
Try toggling it by deactivating it or by turning it off and check if there’ll be any difference.
Step #6: Modify the Wireless Adapter Settings (Windows)
There are instances where the wireless adapter settings of our devices become outdated, and, for some reason, the laptop may be confused on whether it should connect to a wireless network or not.
So, here’s the process of how you can modify your wireless adapter settings:
- Go to the Run feature or click WIN + R.
- Enter ncpa.cpl on the search field.
- Right-click the WiFi or Wireless Network Adapter > Properties.
- Click Configure.
- Untick the checkbox that says Allow the Computer to Turn Off This Device to Save Power.
Reset the SMC and PRAM (Mac)
The macOS counterpart of this process is by resetting the PRAM or the SMC. Here’s how you can do this:
- Perform a shutdown of your Mac and shut it off completely.
- During the reboot/startup process, press and hold Command + Option + P + R.
- Keep it pressed until you hear the startup sound.
Once you’ve successfully done all of this, the WiFi functionality of your device should now run smoothly.
Should the problem be with your firewall or antivirus software, try contacting the manufacturer of the system and inquire about it.
NOTE: You can actually diagnose why these security programs are dropping the connections.
But, what if the problem is still persistent even after you’ve done the procedure? What further steps can you take in case your WiFi still drops off periodically?
My WiFi Still Keeps Turning Off, What Should I Do?
If you’re unsuccessful in regaining the stability of your WiFi connection, here are the things you need to do to further the troubleshooting process:
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP) and ask if there’s an outage.
- If there’s none, proceed to factory reset your laptop.
- Should the problem still be there, have your laptop checked by a professional.
- As an ultimatum, consider purchasing a new laptop.
If the issue is only present when you’re using your laptop, it could already be the reason. So, consider purchasing a new laptop should the problem still be there!
Read Next: Why I am Not Eligible for Hulu Free Trial?
Conclusion
If your WiFi keeps disconnecting, try to assess your proximity to the hardware. After that, double-check the modem or the router and see if you need to be concerned about it. Check the internal programs/apps of your laptop to further find out what needs to be done to fix it.
With this guide, you’ll no longer have to scan through tens of Google pages to look for the answer!
The next time you find yourself asking why does my WiFi keep turning off on my laptop, go back to this guide and resolve it on your own!
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.
