Wi‑Fi Keeps Dropping? Proven Fixes for Better Speed
Calgary, AB Wi‑Fi troubleshooting guide by AVNFi
AVNFi installs, repairs, and optimizes Wi‑Fi in Calgary, Alberta. This guide covers practical steps to fix common Wi‑Fi problems like intermittent connections, dead zones, interference, congestion (“saturation”), and slow internet speeds.
Wi‑Fi issues can be frustrating because there are multiple moving parts: your internet service, your router/gateway, your Wi‑Fi signal, the building itself, and the number of devices competing for airtime. The steps below will help you narrow down the cause and apply the right fix.
Quick diagnosis: is it your Wi‑Fi or your internet?
Before changing settings, do this quick test:
- Stand beside your router/gateway and run a speed test on your phone/laptop.
- If possible, test a wired device (Ethernet to the router).
- Compare results:
- Wired is fine but Wi‑Fi is bad → you have a Wi‑Fi coverage/interference/congestion issue.
- Wired and Wi‑Fi are both bad → it’s likely your internet service, modem/gateway, or upstream congestion.
- It’s only one device that’s slow → it’s probably that device (updates, bad driver, VPN, malware, etc.).
The 3 most common reasons Wi‑Fi “acts up”
Most problems fall into one (or a mix) of these categories:
1) The router/gateway is in the wrong location
Many ISPs install a gateway (a single box that combines a modem + router + firewall + Wi‑Fi access point). If it’s tucked in a basement corner, behind a TV, inside a cabinet, or beside a furnace panel—coverage will suffer.
Best placement rules:
- Put it as central as possible in the home/office
- Keep it up high (shelf height beats floor level)
- Avoid hiding it in closets, cabinets, utility rooms, or behind metal/TVs
- Keep it away from large metal objects, electrical panels, and mechanical equipment
Pro tip: Wi‑Fi has a harder time traveling through concrete, brick, tile, metal, and low‑E glass. Even water (aquariums) can weaken signals.
2) The gateway/router is misconfigured or underpowered (or failing)
Many gateways ship with “auto” settings. Auto is convenient—but it’s not always optimal in dense areas (apartments, townhouses, offices). Hardware can also degrade over time or simply be too weak for the size of the space and the number of devices.
Signs this is the issue:
- Random drops even when close to the router
- Devices cling to a weak signal (“sticky” roaming)
- Slow speeds only during busy hours
- You have lots of devices (cameras, streaming, work calls, smart home)
Basic fixes:
- Reboot the gateway (unplug 60 seconds, plug back in)
- Update firmware (gateway/router + Wi‑Fi system)
- If the hardware is old, consider upgrading to Wi‑Fi 6/6E (and Wi‑Fi 7 if you’re building a higher-end system)
3) Your building and environment are hurting Wi‑Fi
Even with a good router, Wi‑Fi can struggle when:
- the building is large or multi‑level
- walls are dense (concrete, plaster, brick)
- there’s lots of metal (ducting, beams, appliances)
- you’re surrounded by many nearby Wi‑Fi networks (apartments, offices)
That’s when you often need additional access points or a properly-designed mesh system.
Understanding Wi‑Fi interference
Interference is any “noise” that reduces Wi‑Fi performance. Some interference is obvious (neighbors’ Wi‑Fi), and some is sneaky (materials and appliances).
Common interference sources
Most common in real life:
- Nearby Wi‑Fi networks (especially on 2.4 GHz)
- Thick walls/floors and metal surfaces
- Microwave ovens (can disrupt 2.4 GHz while running)
Sometimes contributes:
- Bluetooth devices (usually minor, but can add noise in busy spaces)
- Baby monitors / wireless cameras (some operate on 2.4 GHz and can be significant)
- Older cordless phones (varies by model/frequency)
Simple “deduction” method (no apps required)
Ask:
- Is this an apartment/condo or close neighbors? (Expect congestion)
- Does the problem happen at peak times? (Evening = more users online)
- Is the issue room-specific? (Materials/placement problem)
Key concept: As noise increases, the usable signal-to-noise ratio drops. That’s why “the Wi‑Fi shows full bars” can still feel slow or unstable.
Understanding Wi‑Fi congestion (“saturation”)
Congestion isn’t just about internet speed—it’s about airtime. Wi‑Fi is shared: only one device can “talk” at a time on a channel (simplified but true enough to matter).
Congestion gets worse when you have:
- multiple 4K streams
- video calls on several devices
- cloud backups
- security cameras uploading continuously
- many smart devices chatting constantly
Why 2.4 GHz gets overwhelmed first
2.4 GHz has fewer clean channels and travels farther—meaning you’re competing with more neighbors and more devices. It’s still useful for long range and IoT, but it’s often the most crowded band.
Modern best practice:
- Use 5 GHz (or 6 GHz if you have Wi‑Fi 6E/7) for laptops/phones/TVs when possible
- Keep 2.4 GHz for smart devices and longer-range needs
- Avoid “wide” channels on 2.4 GHz (20 MHz is usually the right choice)
5 GHz, 6 GHz, and Mesh systems
5 GHz (and 6 GHz) are often the real fix
5 GHz generally delivers higher speeds and less congestion than 2.4 GHz, but it has shorter range and doesn’t penetrate walls as well.
6 GHz (Wi‑Fi 6E/7) can be even cleaner and faster, with more available channels—also with shorter range.
Mesh systems: great when installed correctly
Mesh can be a strong solution for larger homes and businesses, but it matters how it’s built.
Best practice:
- If possible, use wired backhaul (Ethernet to each access point)
- If wireless backhaul is required, use a tri-band mesh system where one radio can dedicate itself to backhaul
- Place mesh nodes where they still get a strong signal, not at the far edge of the problem area
What mesh does well: seamless roaming between access points.
What mesh can’t do: magically fix bad placement or a weak internet connection.
Router settings that often improve real-world Wi‑Fi
These depend on your hardware, but in general:
- Separate SSIDs (optional): If devices are misbehaving, splitting “Home‑2.4” and “Home‑5” can help troubleshooting.
- Band steering: Helpful when it works; if it’s causing issues, test with separate SSIDs.
- Channel selection: Auto can be fine, but in busy buildings manual tuning sometimes helps.
- Security mode: Use WPA2‑AES or WPA3 (avoid old WPA/WEP/TKIP).
- Disable WPS: It’s convenient but often not worth the security risk.
QoS and “bufferbloat” (when QoS actually helps)
QoS (Quality of Service) is most useful when your internet connection is the bottleneck—not when your Wi‑Fi signal is weak.
QoS/SQM can help if:
- video calls lag when someone starts a download
- gaming spikes when the network is busy
- everything feels “fine” until multiple people share the connection
If your router supports modern QoS/SQM, it’s worth enabling and setting realistic upload/download limits.
Internet speed: how much do you really need?
Speed needs vary, but these are practical planning numbers:
- HD streaming: ~5–8 Mbps per stream
- 4K streaming: ~15–25 Mbps per stream
- Video calls: ~2–5 Mbps per active call (more if multiple participants/cameras)
- Upload matters for video calls, cloud backups, and cameras
If your connection is overloaded, apps will compress to compensate. When they can’t, you’ll see stuttering, buffering, and call dropouts.
Tip: If wired speeds are consistently below what you pay for, call your ISP. If your plan can’t meet your household/office use, upgrading (or switching providers) may be the simplest fix.
Device health and security
Wi‑Fi problems aren’t always the network—sometimes a device is unstable.
Do this on computers and phones:
- Keep your OS and drivers updated
- Remove old VPN clients or test with VPN off
- Run reputable endpoint security (especially on Windows)
- Reboot devices that are “stuck” on bad connections
Do this on routers/Wi‑Fi systems:
- Keep firmware updated
- Use strong admin passwords
- WPA2‑AES/WPA3 + disable WPS
When it’s time to upgrade (or call a pro)
You should consider a professional site survey or upgraded system if:
- you have repeat dead zones despite placement changes
- you’re in a dense building (condo/office) with heavy congestion
- you rely on Wi‑Fi for business calls, cameras, or critical work
- you need consistent roaming across a large space
- you want documented, auditable network configuration (especially for compliance-driven environments)
AVNFi (Calgary, AB) can design, install, and support Wi‑Fi that’s stable, secure, and sized correctly for your space and usage. Avoid bloated software suites and well-known brand names; hackers often write exploits for these first.