WIFI SETUP ISSUES
WiFi problems can range from complete inability to connect, to slow speeds and frequent disconnections. Whether you're setting up a new router, troubleshooting an existing connection, or dealing with dead zones in your home, this guide covers the most effective solutions to get your wireless network running reliably.
Common Causes
Router firmware is outdated or the router needs a simple restart to clear its memory and refresh connections.
Network adapter drivers on your PC are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with the current Windows version.
WiFi signal is too weak due to distance from the router, thick walls, or interference from other electronic devices.
Incorrect network settings such as wrong password, IP address conflicts, or DNS configuration issues.
Too many devices connected to the same network, exceeding the router's capacity and causing slowdowns.
The WiFi adapter in your PC is disabled, malfunctioning, or not properly installed.
Step-by-Step Solutions
Restart Your Router and PC
The simplest fix is often the most effective. Unplug your router from power, wait 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to fully boot up — all indicator lights should stabilise. Then restart your computer. This clears the router's memory, refreshes DHCP leases, and resolves many temporary connectivity issues. If you have a separate modem, restart that first, wait for it to connect, then restart the router. This power-cycle process resolves about 50% of WiFi issues.
Update Network Adapter Drivers
Right-click the Start button and open Device Manager. Expand 'Network adapters' to find your WiFi adapter (it will have 'Wireless', 'WiFi', or 'WLAN' in the name). Right-click it and select 'Update driver' > 'Search automatically'. If that doesn't help, visit your laptop manufacturer's support page and download the latest WiFi driver for your specific model. You can also try uninstalling the adapter in Device Manager and restarting — Windows will automatically reinstall a fresh driver on boot.
Optimise Router Placement and Signal
Router placement dramatically affects WiFi performance. Place your router in a central location, elevated off the floor (on a shelf or mounted on a wall). Keep it away from metal objects, microwaves, cordless phones, and fish tanks — all of which interfere with WiFi signals. If your router has external antennas, position them perpendicular to each other (one vertical, one horizontal) for best coverage. For large homes, consider a WiFi mesh system or a range extender to eliminate dead zones.
Reset Network Settings
If you're still having trouble, reset your PC's network settings. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Click 'Reset now' — this removes all network adapters and reinstalls them, and resets all networking components to their defaults. You'll need to re-enter your WiFi password afterward. You can also try flushing the DNS cache by opening Command Prompt as Administrator and typing 'ipconfig /flushdns' followed by 'ipconfig /release' and 'ipconfig /renew'.
Change WiFi Channel and Band
If your WiFi is slow but connected, channel congestion may be the issue. Log into your router's admin panel (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 in your browser). Navigate to the wireless settings and try changing the WiFi channel. For 2.4GHz, channels 1, 6, and 11 are best as they don't overlap. If your router supports 5GHz, switch to that band for faster speeds at shorter range. You can use a free app like 'WiFi Analyzer' on your phone to see which channels are least congested in your area.
When to Call a Pro
If the steps above don't resolve your issue, it's time to call in the experts. Contact us if:
You need a new router set up, configured, and optimised for your specific home layout and number of devices.
WiFi dead zones persist despite trying range extenders — a professional can design a mesh network solution.
Your PC's internal WiFi adapter has failed and needs physical replacement.
You're experiencing persistent slow speeds that aren't resolved by basic troubleshooting — it may be an ISP or wiring issue.