We are aware that WiFi issues can significantly disturb your daily life. With the help of the tips below, you can resolve a lot of typical WiFi issues.
What sort of WiFi issues are you experiencing? Check out the areas below for thorough troubleshooting instructions. for detailed troubleshooting guides.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if there's an issue with your internet service itself or with your wireless reception. Signs of a slow WiFi connection include:
If you're unsure, you can check the speed of the wired connection to the modem, then test it again while connected to WiFi to see the difference. Address a slow internet connection if needed. Then you can follow these common tips to help optimize your WiFi speed and performance:
Note: A wired connection (Ethernet) is faster than wireless because there's less interference. If you need the fastest connection available, plug a compatible device directly into the modem with an Ethernet cable.
It sounds silly, but this is a common cause of connection issues and is the easiest to fix. So take a minute to verify your equipment is set up correctly.
The distance between the router and your device has a major impact on your WiFi connection speed and performance. In some cases, the location of your router and of your computer or other devices weakens your wireless connection.
Fix: Find a place for your modem that's as centrally located as possible. Places that are higher up (e.g., bookcase, shelf, upstairs) will typically get you better coverage.
Physical obstructions can also slow down your WiFi. Look out for brick or concrete walls, large containers of water (such as fish tanks), large metal appliances, thick windows, and heavy furniture standing between your router and your connected devices. As you can see in the table below, refrigerators and concrete walls are the biggest culprits in dampening your WiFi reception.
Fixes:
Barrier | WiFi loss (in decibels) |
---|---|
Drywall / Hollow wood door | 3-4 dB |
Brick wall | 6 dB |
Concrete wall or floor | 8 dB |
Refrigerator | 19 dB |
Signal interference from other WiFi networks is very common and can cause an unstable connection. WiFi travels over what is called an "unlicensed band," which means any number of other wireless networks may interfere with yours.
Fix: On most newer Brightspeed modems, there is a way to find the best WiFi channel for your environment.
Other devices in your home can produce electromagnetic interference (EMI) that can further slow down your WiFi connection. This can include microwaves, some cordless phones, bluetooth devices, TVs, dimmer switches, fans, fluorescent lights, copy machines, treadmills, wireless security systems, wireless speakers, baby monitors, garage door openers, and more. Some of these generate short-range interference that can affect your WiFi even when the device is turned off.
Fixes:
Modems periodically get bogged down, and all digital devices can perform more poorly over time if not maintained and kept updated.
Modem fixes:
Device fixes:
If you have both landline phone and internet service from Brightspeed, you could experience interference if you don't have filters on your phones.
Fixes:
There are a few factors that can interfere with establishing a connection to your WiFi. Try the suggestions below if you're not able to connect a device to your wireless network
If you get an error after entering the key, try these fixes:
A list of available networks will show up in the WiFi (Wireless) area of your device settings, and sometimes the names of the different networks are similar. You may be trying to connect to the wrong network.
Fixes:
If you have a problem with your WiFi connection after your device has gone into "hibernate" mode, it could be the power settings. Power saver settings increase battery life by reducing or turning off power to devices like wireless adapters or receivers.
Fix: Try changing your power setting to "Always On" or "High Performance."
Still not getting the WiFi strength you want?
If you've tried everything and still can't obtain consistent WiFi performance across your house, a WiFi extension kit might be able to help you increase your coverage.
If you think you're having a problem with your internet service, start with our Troubleshooter for a fast, convenient way to identify and fix common issues. If your results aren't what you were expecting or you need more assistance, call or chat with our support team. We're here to help.
Top tools
Log in to access our most popular tools.
Was this page helpful?
Brightspeed services support