Do you constantly ask yourself “why is my WiFi so bad all of a sudden?” You’re not alone – in fact, hundreds, if not thousands of people ask this particular question every single day!
Your despair and misery ends now! In this guide, we will be pinpointing the primary culprits on why your internet connection suddenly went from 100 to 0 in just a snap!
To be able to fix this issue, you first have to check if there’s an outage in your area. Then, power cycle your router or your modem.
The next step is to inspect the wires linked to your router.
Then, try to review your router’s firmware version if it’s outdated. Double-check what your real speeds are and if it’s not up to what you’re expecting, contact your ISP.
A bad internet connection is a pet peeve for many, but it’s not an uncommon issue to deal with.
This dilemma could be because of a lot of different problems and issues. To be able to understand how you can fix it, it is important to recognize what the possible culprits are.
Why is My WiFi So Bad All of a Sudden?
Are you part of the demographic that needs a good internet connection for work or just for your personal time? If you are, then having a bad WiFi signal could be a bummer.
Here are some of the primary causes that contribute to a bad WiFi signal.
System Issue or Outage
A lot of people fail to realize that system outages occur and it’s not just them affected. Sometimes, these maintenance checks are done to ensure that your connection will be safe and secure.
If you have your WiFi connection so bad all of a sudden and it’s from an outage, you’re definitely not alone.
For this, you must take time and consider waiting until the maintenance passes, you really wouldn’t be able to do anything at this point.
Internet Plans
Some internet and WiFi plans are not unlimited – they’re capped at a particular usage.
For instance, your home internet could be capped at 100 GB of data usage, and you’re already near that limit.
In order for you to be able to use it more efficiently, some systems and companies throttle connections to support more usage activities.
Network or Bandwidth Overload
Do you know how much your modem or your router can actually accommodate when it comes to the number of devices connected to it?
Older versions of routers and modems would have limited capacities. So, if your router is more than a decade old, then that might be where the problem is.
For example, if your router is only capable of supporting bandwidth from 4 devices, and you have a total of 6 connected, there would really be problems with that.
Try purchasing a router that is modern, newer, and those with high capacities.
Problems with the Router or Modem
Did your modem or router fall from a few feet? Did someone accidentally pour liquid on it? Many people disregard the fact that routers and modems are electronic devices.
Just like any other thing in this world, it wouldn’t last forever.
Some routers have higher tolerances when it comes to situations like this, while some don’t.
What you have to do is to check your router or your modem and assess if it’s been damaged.
Incorrect Positioning of WiFi Router or Modem
Last but most definitely not least would be the fact that your router or your modem might have been positioned incorrectly.
Where is your router positioned? Where is it placed in your home?
The best and the most recommended location to place it would be high up top where it’s able to see everything.
There could also be obstructions on where you had it placed – so be sure to check all of those out!
So, if you’re asking – why is my WiFi so bad all of a sudden?
These are the culprits that are the most common reasons why you’re experiencing that.
Fixing a Bad WiFi Connection
We’re talking about WiFi or a wireless connection here, so, we’ll disregard wired internet connections.
And if you think that this requires skill and adeptness in the network or the IT industry, think again!
In fact, the solution to these problems is simple – and we’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how you can fix it!
Step #1: Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
One huge possibility is that there could be system maintenance or service outages that could be throttling your speeds to the minimum level.
Ask your ISP about this and clarify if there really is an issue.
Step #2: Power Cycle Router or Modem
Then, what you want to do next is to perform a power cycle of your gateway. A power cycle is simply a restart of your device by cutting out all electrical connections it has, then turning it back on again.
What you would usually do if your internet went bad randomly is to plug out the power cord from the back of your router or modem.
Then, you’d have to leave it off for about 15 to 30 seconds, then plug it back in again.
Step #3: Check Wires and Cables
The next step is to check and inspect cables and wires. This could include the power supply cable, the Ethernet cable, or any other component that enables you to use your WiFi.
Check for any cuts, slices, or damage on the cables – that might be where the issue is.
When a cable gets damaged, it doesn’t successfully transmit the data or information it needs easily.
And that might be the reason why your WiFi went bad.
Step #4: Check Connected Devices
How many devices are connected to your modem or your router? How many devices do you normally allow to use it?
Many people aren’t aware that shared bandwidth divides data transmittance from one network to another.
It’s quite simple to understand – the more people connected, the more bandwidth you share, and thus, it could suppress your connection and make it seem like your internet is bad.
Step #5: Check Router Firmware
For the benefit of everyone, firmware is the software that’s programmed into a device but is in a format of read-only. It acts as the main system for the device, and it’s present to make it work.
There are cases where most of our routers and modems don’t update their firmware on their own.
It’s normal for older routers, but for newer versions of modems and routers, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Check the firmware of your router by entering the network configuration. Check if it’s telling you that an update of the firmware is required.
Sometimes, outdated firmware contributes to the internet problems you’re experiencing.
Step #6: Reposition the Router or Modem
Contrary to popular belief, the placement of the modem or the router is essential.
You need to consider the physical location or placement of your gateway or router in your space.
It’s a vital turning point in separating you from getting fast and swift WiFi to a slow and sluggish connection.
Here are a few points to consider:
- Make sure that it’s positioned where there is no obstruction (walls, large items, and electronic appliances, etc.)
- Place it where the signals are evenly distributed around the house
- Elevate it so that your 2nd floor will equally receive the signals, too
Doing these steps will actually take you less time than how you expected! As a matter of fact, it wouldn’t take you an hour to do this!
Conclusion
So, if you’re already fed up with constant sluggish runs of your connection, here’s the key!
The next time you think about searching – why is my wifi signal weak all of a sudden, you can always go back to this guide!
This will be everything you’ll need to fix your slow internet!
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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.