If you’re experiencing an issue like Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi frequently, don’t worry, as it’s often a simple issue that can be resolved with a few clicks. Besides, it can be frustrating when you’re trying to watch a live stream or download a time-sensitive file and your WiFi keeps disconnecting.
If you’re having a tough time with your unstable WiFi connection, this article provides several comprehensive solutions that will get you back online in no time.
Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi
There could be several reasons why your WiFi is disconnecting on your Android device, ranging from your phone itself to the WiFi router, network glitches, or even the device used for mobile hotspots. Regardless of the cause, the following are the fixes if Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi:
1. Begin with a restart
Just like with many other issues on a smartphone, restarting your device is a recommended first step in resolving WiFi connection problems.
A temporary software or hardware glitch may be causing the disconnections, and a simple reboot can often fix it.
Give restarting your phone a try. If Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi frequently, move on to the next solutions outlined below.
2. Get closer to the router
In addition to troubleshooting the router or phone, the distance from the WiFi network source can also affect the connection. If your Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi, make sure you’re within the connection range.
Check the signal quality on your status bar to determine if you’re too far from the network. If the signal quality is low, move closer to the router to improve the connection.
For home networks, you can consider moving the router to a location that provides better coverage for the entire house. If it’s a public network, simply move closer to the network source.
3. Re-establish the connection manually
Your Android device stores network information when you first connect to a WiFi network, allowing for seamless connections without needing to re-enter passwords.
However, things can change and your phone may struggle to connect.
In such cases, you can manually re-establish the connection by “forgetting” and then “reconnecting” to the WiFi network from scratch. Here’s how:
The steps outlined in this article may vary depending on the specific Android device and version you’re using.
- Swipe down twice from the top of your Android screen to access Quick Settings.
- Long-press on the WiFi tile to open the WiFi network settings.
- Tap on the network you’re trying to connect to, which should be listed under “Saved networks.”
- Select the WiFi name, and then tap “Forget.” This will remove the network from your device.
- Tap the network again under “Available networks” and reconnect to it by entering the password.
4. Reset the Router
Just like restarting your phone, resetting the router can also help resolve WiFi disconnection issues on your Android device.
This will reset the router’s hardware and potentially fix any underlying internet glitches.
For routers that are connected to a power source, simply unplug the router, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in. This should refresh the system.
If you’re using a battery-powered router or mobile hotspot device, locate the power button on the hardware and turn it off. Then, turn it back on and try reconnecting your Android phone to the network.
For mobile hotspots, simply restart the phone. After resetting the router, try reconnecting your Android phone to the network to see if the problem has been resolved.
5. Switch to a different AP band
If your Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi, switching the router’s AP band to 2.4GHz can often help resolve the issue. While the 5GHz band provides faster network speeds, its range is shorter than the traditional 2.4GHz band.
To switch the AP band on your router, you may need to access the router settings. If you’re connected to a mobile hotspot, you can follow these steps to switch the AP band:
Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to access Quick Settings.
- Long-press the Hotspot tile.
- Tap “Hotspot settings.”
- Change the AP Band to 4GHz.
Save the hotspot settings and reconnect your Android phone to see the changes.
6. Reset Wi-Fi settings
Resetting your network settings is a common solution for fixing network-related issues on Android devices, including the problem of Wi-Fi disconnections. This process is safe and won’t result in the loss of any data.
The reset will only erase the saved Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices, and mobile network settings, among others. This can be a helpful fix if Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi frequently.
Here’s how you can reset your Android’s network preferences:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap “Reset options.”
- Select “Reset Wi-Fi, Mobile & Bluetooth.”
- Tap “RESET SETTINGS” to confirm the action.
Once the reset is complete, reconnect to the network by entering the credentials and see if it no longer disconnects.
7. Turn off conflicting Android apps
In some cases, apps you have installed on your device could be causing your phone to disconnect from the WiFi network. These apps can include VPNs, antivirus apps, and WiFi prioritizing apps.
If you have such apps on your device, try disabling them temporarily to see if it resolves the issue. If it doesn’t, move on to the next solution.
Depending on your Android version, you should be able to tell which apps are using WiFi. The app using WiFi is usually the culprit for disconnecting your WiFi network, sometimes due to a bug. The solution is to manually disable app permissions for WiFi and see if Android keeps disconnecting from WiFi.
8. Turn off network auto-switch
Many modern Android phones come with a network auto-switch feature, which automatically switches between WiFi and mobile data based on connection speed for seamless connectivity.
However, this feature can also be the reason why your WiFi keeps disconnecting if the WiFi connection is weak. To resolve this issue, you can turn off the WiFi auto-switch feature or have it ask for permission before switching. Here’s how:
- Long-press the WiFi tile from Quick Settings on your control center.
- Tap “Wi-Fi preferences.”
- Turn off “Auto switch to mobile data” to disable the feature.
- Or, enable “Ask before switching” so that your WiFi won’t disconnect without your permission.
9. Update Android’s router’s firmware
If the previous solutions have not resolved the issue of WiFi disconnecting on your Android device, updating your phone and router’s firmware could be the solution.
The problem may be simply a software issue that can be resolved through updates. Updating your router is straightforward and can be done by checking the user manual or visiting the manufacturer’s website.
To update your Android phone, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Select System
- Tap System Update or Software Update
- Tap Check for an update
If an update is available, download and install it immediately.
