Wifi keeps dropping and disconnecting me from online games

[Saltyloaf]

I own an HP laptop, I got it about 5 years ago. This issue started 2 weeks ago and hasn't fixed itself or gone away. I've done admin resets, uninstalled-reinstalled wifi drivers, opened and cleaned the inside of my laptop of dust, changed the green wifi chip with a new one, changed the DNI server to a Google one, reset my wifi router, gone closer to the wifi router, used a mobile hotspot, and had a best buy geek squad take a look and she found nothing, she turned off a wifi proximity thing hoping it would fix it, it did not. I am at a loss of what I should do as this problem is very inconsistent, I'll go 3 hours max without disconnections until suddenly the wifi bars drop to one and buffer, then kick me from the game, other times it'll disconnect me instantly or every few random minutes. This happens on everything online, even Zoom. The laptop other than that functions fine, it doesn't overheat and I'm fully caught up with the updates it asks of me. I'm unsure if this is a device problem or a wifi provider problem, as I use Spectrum. This isn't the first time it happened, about 2 years back I had the same issue but it didn't last very long and it ended up fixing itself. Please if anyone knows what I should do please tell me as I'm avoiding buying a new laptop altogether or spending too much to fix this if it's truly a loss. 

[Raj_05]

Hi @Saltyloaf,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds frustrating to deal with these consistent Wi-Fi disconnections, especially when it's affecting online gaming and even Zoom calls. Given everything you've already tried, it seems like you've covered a lot of the troubleshooting steps. Here's a more comprehensive breakdown of other things to try.

Check for Interference

• Wi-Fi Interference: Other devices like microwaves, baby monitors, or even Bluetooth devices can interfere with Wi-Fi signals, especially on the 2.4 GHz band. Try switching your router to 5 GHz if possible to see if the issue persists.
• Channel Congestion: Wi-Fi channels can get crowded, especially in apartment buildings. You can use a Wi-Fi analyzer tool (like WiFi Analyzer for Android) to check which channel is the least congested and set your router to that one.

Change Power Settings

• Sometimes, Windows power management settings can cause Wi-Fi cards to disconnect to save power. Check your power plan settings and make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is not set to "Power Saver." Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings, then find the Wireless Adapter Settings and ensure it's set to Maximum Performance.

Advanced Network Settings

• Reset TCP/IP Stack: This can help fix network-related issues by resetting how your device communicates with the network.
  • Open Command Prompt (Admin) and type the following command:
    netsh int ip reset
  • Press Enter and restart your laptop.
• Disable IPv6: Sometimes, IPv6 can cause connectivity issues with certain networks. Try disabling it by going to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change Adapter Settings. Right-click your Wi-Fi connection, choose Properties, and uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).

Check for Faulty Hardware

• If you’ve already replaced the Wi-Fi card, it might not be the root of the issue. However, it's worth considering if the laptop's internal antenna might be damaged or loose.
• Test with an External USB Wi-Fi Adapter: If you have access to one, this could help rule out the internal Wi-Fi card as the culprit. If the disconnections stop with the external adapter, it's likely the built-in Wi-Fi hardware is malfunctioning.

Test with a Different Router

• Since you’re using Spectrum, it might be helpful to test your laptop on a different router (e.g., at a friend’s house or a public place) to see if the issue still occurs. This will help rule out whether the problem is related to your specific router or Spectrum’s service.

[Raj_05]

Reinstall Wi-Fi Drivers (again but differently)

• Sometimes, reinstalling the drivers may not fully resolve issues if the driver itself is corrupt. Consider downloading the latest driver from the manufacturer’s website (not through Windows Update) and manually installing it.

Last Resort: System Restore

• If this issue started only two weeks ago, it might be worth trying a system restore to a point before the problem began. Go to Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore, and select a date before the issue started. This can help undo any software-related changes that might have caused the problem.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Alden4

HP Support