Intermittent internet is one of the hardest problems to diagnose because it isn't always happening when you're looking at it. The cause could be your device, your router, your ISP, or the wiring between them. Here's how to narrow it down systematically.
THE FIRST QUESTION: ONE DEVICE OR ALL?
If only one device drops, the problem is that device. If all devices lose internet simultaneously, the problem is upstream — your router, modem, or ISP. Test this the moment it happens rather than waiting.
💡 When the internet drops, check your phone on WiFi. If it also has no internet, the problem is your home network, not your computer specifically.
COMMON CAUSES BY LOCATION
- Single device — Outdated driver, failing WiFi adapter, too far from router
- All WiFi, wired fine — Router WiFi radio issue, channel congestion, too many connected devices
- All devices including wired — Modem issue, ISP outage, overheating router
- Specific times of day — ISP congestion, especially on shared cable connections
⚠️ A router more than 5 years old that's recently started dropping is often just failing hardware. Capacitors on router boards degrade over time and cause exactly this kind of intermittent, hard-to-diagnose problem.
TP-Link Archer AX55 WiFi 6 Router
Solid mid-range router with stable firmware history. Replaces most failing consumer routers effectively.
Check Price on Amazon →Rather have a professional handle it? We diagnose your network and fix the actual cause of the drops for homes and businesses throughout Santa Clarita and the San Fernando Valley. On-site or remote — we stand behind every job.