Mobile devices with Wi-Fi lose their connection with wireless access points when they are carried outside the range of the signal. When Wi-Fi drops out, apps sometimes revert automatically to use a cellular connection if one is available and sometimes stop running altogether, depending on your device settings.
Although it’s not possible to prevent all disconnects, carefully positioning your wireless router and your device is necessary sometimes to maintain a reliable Wi-Fi signal.
Check that Wi-Fi is turned on and you are connected.
- Open your Settings
“Wi-Fi” or “Wireless and Networks”
tap Wi-Fi. Depending on your device, these options may be different.
- Turn Wi-Fi on.
- Find the Wi-Fi connection indicator at the top of your screen
.
- If this is not displayed, or none of the bars are filled in, you may be out of range of a Wi-Fi network.
- Move closer to the router, check to see if you have a stronger Wi-Fi connection, and try again.
Restart your wireless router.
If you are connecting to Wi-Fi at home, check your router’s manual for instructions on how to reset it. Often you can:
- Unplug the router from the electrical outlet and make sure the lights on the router go out.
- Wait a few seconds.
- Plug the router back in and wait 30 seconds for all the lights to come back on.
If you still have connectivity issues after you complete these steps, your Wi-Fi antenna might be faulty and may need replacement.