You’re in the middle of a video call or a download and your laptop drops the Wi-Fi again. Your phone stays connected just fine, so the internet itself seems OK. When a laptop’s Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, the cause is usually power settings, an outdated driver or interference with the router. These fixes are ordered from quickest to most thorough, so start at the top and test after each one.
Narrow it down first
- Do other devices drop too? If phones and TVs also lose connection, the router or internet provider is the likely culprit.
- Is it only one network? Try your phone’s hotspot. If the laptop stays connected there, the problem is related to your router.
- Does it happen after sleep? That points to power management settings.
Fix 1: Restart the router and the laptop
Unplug the router (and modem, if separate) for 30 seconds, plug it back in and wait a few minutes for all the lights to settle. Then restart your laptop. It’s basic, but it clears a surprising number of problems.
Fix 2: Forget the network and reconnect
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Manage known networks.
- Click your network and choose Forget.
- Reconnect and type the password again.
Fix 3: Stop Windows from turning off the Wi-Fi adapter
This is the most common fix for laptops that drop Wi-Fi after a few minutes or after waking from sleep.
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters and double-click your wireless adapter (it usually includes “Wireless”, “Wi-Fi” or “802.11” in the name).
- Open the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
- Click OK.
Also check your power plan: in Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings, set Wireless Adapter Settings > Power Saving Mode to Maximum Performance, at least when plugged in.
Fix 4: Update or reinstall the Wi-Fi driver
- Check Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates for driver updates.
- Visit your laptop maker’s support page (or Intel, Realtek, Qualcomm or MediaTek, depending on your adapter) and download the latest wireless driver for your model.
- If problems started right after a driver update, open the adapter in Device Manager, go to the Driver tab and choose Roll Back Driver.
To reinstall from scratch, choose Uninstall device in Device Manager, restart, and Windows will install a fresh driver. Download the manufacturer’s driver first, in case you lose internet afterward.
Fix 5: Reset network settings
Quick commands that refresh your connection. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
ipconfig /releaseipconfig /renewipconfig /flushdnsnetsh winsock reset
Restart afterward.
If that doesn’t help, use the full reset: Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This removes and reinstalls all network adapters and resets settings to default. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and reinstall VPN software afterward.
Fix 6: Change router settings
Log in to your router’s admin page (the address is usually printed on a sticker on the router) and look at these:
- Band: 5 GHz is faster and less crowded but has shorter range. 2.4 GHz reaches farther through walls. If you’re far from the router, connecting to 2.4 GHz can be more stable.
- Channel: in apartments, many routers fight over the same channels. Try a different fixed channel on 2.4 GHz (1, 6 or 11 are the standard non-overlapping ones), or let the router choose automatically.
- Firmware: check for router firmware updates in the admin page or the maker’s app.
- Band steering: if the router uses one name for both bands, try splitting them into two names and connecting to one directly.
Fix 7: Check distance and interference
Thick walls, floors, microwaves, baby monitors and even fish tanks weaken Wi-Fi. Move closer to the router to test. If the connection is stable nearby but drops in certain rooms, a mesh Wi-Fi system or extender may be the real fix rather than any laptop setting.
Fix 8: Look at VPNs and security software
Some VPN apps and firewalls can interrupt connections, especially when they reconnect or update. Temporarily disable them to test. If a VPN is the issue, check our comparison of free vs paid VPNs for more reliable options.
If your laptop also feels sluggish online and offline, read why your computer is so slow. And for other connection troubles with devices, see our guide to fixing a USB device not recognized.
FAQ
Why does my laptop disconnect from Wi-Fi but my phone doesn’t?
That usually means the laptop’s adapter, driver or power settings are at fault, not the router. Start with the power management setting in Device Manager and a driver update.
Why does Wi-Fi drop after my laptop wakes from sleep?
Windows may be turning off the wireless adapter to save power and not waking it properly. Uncheck the power-saving option for the adapter and set Wireless Adapter Settings to Maximum Performance.
Will a network reset delete my files?
No. It only resets network adapters and settings. You’ll need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and may need to reinstall VPN or virtual network software.
Is 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz better for a stable connection?
5 GHz is faster and less crowded when you’re close to the router. 2.4 GHz travels farther and through walls more easily, so it’s often more stable at a distance.
