Wi-Fi Troubleshooting
Fix slow, dropping, or broken Wi-Fi connections on your computer
If your Wi-Fi is slow, keeps dropping, or won't connect at all, work through these steps in order. Start with the simple fixes – most Wi-Fi problems don't need anything drastic.
- Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and toggle Wi-Fi off
- Wait about 10 seconds, then toggle it back on
- If the problem continues, open System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi
- Find your network in the list, click the ... (More) button next to it
- Click Forget This Network and confirm
- Reconnect by selecting your network from the menu bar Wi-Fi icon and entering the password
- If you're connected but have no internet, go to System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi, click Details next to your network, then the TCP/IP tab
- Click Renew DHCP Lease – this fixes IP conflicts
- While you're there, check the DNS tab and make sure you don't have stale or bad DNS entries (see the Change DNS guide)
- If nothing helps, open Wireless Diagnostics by holding Option and clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then selecting Open Wireless Diagnostics. It will scan for common problems and suggest fixes
To check your current signal strength, hold Option and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar. Look for RSSI – anything weaker than -70 dBm means you're too far from the router or there's interference. The Noise value matters too: the bigger the gap between RSSI and Noise, the better.
If you suspect interference, try switching your router to a 5 GHz band (faster but shorter range) or move away from microwaves, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices that crowd the 2.4 GHz band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Wi-Fi slow on this device but fine on others?▾
The problem is almost certainly your device, not your router. Check for background downloads or updates, close unnecessary browser tabs, and make sure your Wi-Fi driver is current. On older laptops, the built-in Wi-Fi card may only support slower standards (802.11n vs 802.11ac/ax), which limits your speed regardless of your internet plan.
What does "No Internet, Secured" mean on Windows?▾
It means your device connected to the router and the connection is encrypted (that's the "secured" part), but the router can't reach the internet. This is usually an IP conflict or a DNS issue. Try forgetting the network and reconnecting, or run the Network reset from Settings. If every device on your network has the same problem, the issue is your router or ISP, not your computer.
Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?▾
Use 5 GHz when you're close to the router – it's faster and less crowded. Use 2.4 GHz when you're far away or have walls between you and the router – it has better range but slower speeds and more interference from other devices. If your router supports it, a single SSID with band steering handles this automatically.
How do I know if something is interfering with my Wi-Fi?▾
Microwave ovens, baby monitors, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices all use the 2.4 GHz band. If your Wi-Fi drops when someone uses the microwave, that's your answer. Switch to 5 GHz or move the router away from these devices. You can also check for competing networks on the same channel using your OS's Wi-Fi diagnostics tools.
I keep getting disconnected from Wi-Fi. What's different from slow Wi-Fi?▾
Disconnections are usually a signal problem (too far from the router, interference) or a power management issue. On Windows, open Device Manager, find your Wi-Fi adapter under Network adapters, right-click it, go to Properties > Power Management, and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. On Mac, check that your network is set to auto-join in System Settings > Network > Wi-Fi > Details.