Why does my laptop keep disconnecting from Wi-Fi?

Step 1: work out which side is at fault

Microsoft's Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide says to connect another laptop or phone to the same network. If that device connects and stays connected, the problem is likely your laptop. If it drops too, look at the router, the modem or your internet provider.

Two quick checks narrow it further:

• Move closer to the router. If the drops stop, you have a signal or interference problem, not a fault.
• Try the other band. Many routers broadcast separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks. Microsoft suggests joining the other one if both appear in your list.

Step 2: the quick fixes (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Check Airplane mode. Settings > Network & internet > Airplane mode should be off.
2. Forget and rejoin the network. Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks, select the network, choose Forget, then reconnect and enter the password.
3. Restart the modem and router. Microsoft's steps: unplug the router, unplug the modem, wait at least 30 seconds, plug the modem back in and wait for the lights to settle, then plug the router in and wait a few minutes. Everyone on the network will drop briefly.
4. Check for Windows updates. Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates, then restart.

Step 3: stop Windows from switching the adapter off

This is the most common laptop-side cause when drops happen after sleep or on battery. Microsoft lists two places to look.

• Device Manager: Search for Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, choose Properties, open the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Some laptops do not show this tab; that is normal.
• Power Options: In Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options, choose Change plan settings, then Change advanced power settings, expand Wireless Adapter Settings and set Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance.

Step 4: reinstall the driver

If the drops began after an update, Microsoft suggests removing the network adapter driver and letting Windows reinstall it. Before you do, download the latest wireless driver from your laptop maker's support page and keep it on a USB drive, in case Windows cannot find one afterwards.

1. Open Device Manager and expand Network adapters.
2. Right-click the adapter and choose Uninstall device.
3. Tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then Uninstall.
4. Restart. Windows will try to install a driver automatically; if it does not, use your saved copy.

For laptops with an Intel wireless card, Intel's disconnect article recommends a clean installation of the latest wireless driver, and notes that you may want to check the laptop manufacturer's website for a customised driver. It also advises updating the BIOS, confirming there are no pending Windows updates, and testing on another network or access point to see whether the router is the cause.

Step 5: the commands and the last resort

If the earlier steps did not help, Microsoft lists commands to reset the network stack. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these in order, pressing Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

If that fails, Microsoft's last step is Network reset: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset on Windows 11, or Status > Network reset on Windows 10. It removes and reinstalls your network adapters with default settings, so you will need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and reinstall any VPN software settings. Treat it as the final move.

If it is the router

When every device drops, check the router. Microsoft suggests updating its firmware and changing the wireless channel to reduce interference, using the router's admin page. Your router's manual explains how.

On a Mac

The same logic applies: test another device, restart the router, install macOS updates, and try the other frequency band. Apple's Wi-Fi settings live under Apple menu > System Settings > Wi-Fi. Menu names differ slightly between macOS versions, so use the search box in System Settings if you cannot find an item. If your Mac is on a work or school network, ask the network administrator, since those networks often have their own rules.

For slowness rather than drops, see the slow laptop thread.