We’ve all experienced the dreaded loss of internet access when browsing online but it’s especially annoying when you’re watching your favourite show and you suddenly see a buffering sign on your screen. TVs losing WI-FI connection is a very common problem and in this guide, we’ll be going over the different causes and fixes so you can get back up and running.
The location of your router
If you live in a large house or your router is far away from your devices, it’s normal for you to lose WI-FI connection. Most routers need to be within a few metres of devices to work optimally. If this is not a possibility for you, you may need to invest in a WI-FI adapter to carry the WI-FI signal further around your house. W-FI adapters can be plugged into wall sockets easily.
Your router is blocked
Even though routers use signals that can stretch from room to room, they can still be slowed down by obstructions. For example, if you place your router on your dresser but you have books in front of it, you won’t get as strong of a connection if you were to leave the space in front of it free of clutter. You should always put your router up high enough so that nothing is blocking the WI-FI signal. Better still, place it right under your TV.
Signal Interference
Signal interference can also cause your TV to lose WI-FI stability. If you have a wide array of devices connected to your WI-FI like TVs, games consoles, cell phones and laptops, the signal can become weaker and the W-FI signal becomes stretched too thinly. The obvious fix here is to reduce the number of devices that are competing for the WI-FI but you can also move your router closer to your smart TV so it is prioritised.
You’re using the Guest Mode
You may not know this but many modern routers allow users to access your WI-FI through guest mode. This is where people can use your WI-FI through a different channel. You may see your main WI-FI connection named “mywifi” but there may be other channels named things like “mywifi1”. If this is the case, you’ll need to remove these sub channels.
To check if your router has a Guest Mode, it should support dual SSID: distinct router name and Service Set Identified. It is also possible that you have an elaborate guest mode setup over a WAP or wireless access point. If it has, make sure to turn it off.
You’re using a wireless connection
Obviously, wireless connections to WI-FI are ideal. They allow you to move around to different rooms whilst staying connected to the internet. However, they are also capable of dropping connections. This is why wired connections are actually better. Wired connections used to be the norm in the early 2000’s and the connection to the internet was always stable. If you’re using a wired connection you’ll have less chance of your TV losing WI-FI signal because it’s always plugged in. Most TVs come with ethernet cables so you can connect your TV to your router.
Unauthorized Devices or users
It may seem obvious but if unauthorised users gain access to your WI-FI your internet connection is going to get stretched even further. This is why it’s important to set up a protective password when you first get your internet router. You must check if your WEP is open or not because if it is open, it makes it very easy for people living around you to steal your WI-FI connection.
