Internet Drops Every Hour or So?

This is about why the internet goes down.

Does your internet drop periodically?

If you want to learn why your internet drops and how to fix it, then you’re in the right place.

Let’s get started!

Internet Drops Every Hour or So? (+ How to Fix It)

Why Your Internet Drops and How to Fix It

The internet has become so entrenched in our everyday lives that it’s hard to imagine being without it for any significant period.

It has opened up a world of endless possibilities and conveniences that we’ve all come to rely on—from conducting zoom meetings to operating an online business—the internet is an irreplaceable mainstay of our way of life.

So when you’re forced to deal with a patchy internet connection that at any given time can drop out of service, this isn’t just a minor inconvenience.

That becomes a problem capable of derailing an evening of entertainment, work, studies, and much more.

Since we understand the gravity of dealing with less than reliable internet service, we’ve taken the liberty of compiling all the possible reasons that could be behind your nagging internet issues.

This article considers all of the potential pitfalls.

All you have to do is identify your particular problem and take the recommended steps to fix it. 

If you frequently ask, “why my internet connection drops often?” or if your internet drops every few hours, then this article may have the solution you need.

Let’s get started:

Reasons That Your Internet Disconnects Randomly

When your internet connection keeps dropping and reconnecting, there’s always a reason why it’s happening.

Here are the most common reasons why your internet could be disconnecting:

Your Internet Speed Is Too Slow

Slow Wi-Fi speeds will often cause your internet to disconnect with regularity. This is especially true when there are multiple people using the Wi-Fi at the same time.

For example, a connection that only produces speeds of 15-25 Mbps will continuously disconnect if numerous people are streaming movies, playing video games, and holding Zoom meetings all on the same network.

Modem Connection Problems

If your internet disconnects every hour, there’s a chance that your modem is not properly communicating with your ISP (Internet Service Provider).

A modem is integral to the internet because it is designed to convert the data from your network and turn it into a usable signal for your router and Wi-Fi devices.

However, modems are not always reliable. For this reason, if you choose to buy your own, be sure that it is approved to work with your ISP to deliver a serviceable internet connection.

You Have an Out-of-Date Wi-Fi Router

If you have an old router and your internet drops every two hours, then your router may very well be the reason why you’re having internet troubles.

If you have a router that is five years old or older, then it will not work optimally with your internet connection. 

This is because old routers use outdated firmware, which fails to meet the latest Wi-Fi technical standards.

Old network equipment like routers and modems.

Routers that are only a few years old run the risk of being behind the optimal requirements.

Be sure that your router is certified for Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6, which is the latest Wi-Fi technical communications standard.

Wi-Fi 6 is also known as 802.11ax, and it is the latest of five internet protocols. These standards have been developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for years.

Here is the list from the oldest to the newest:

  • 802.11b – Wi-Fi 1
  • 802.11a – Wi-Fi 2
  • 802.11g – Wi-Fi 3
  • 802.11n – Wi-Fi 4
  • 802.11ac – Wi-Fi 5
  • 802.11ax – Wi-Fi 6

Your Cables are Faulty 

Using old cables to set up your home network could be the reason why the internet drops every couple hours.

A home network requires that you have a few different cables.

For example, you will need cables to plug your modem into the wall and connect your router to your modem.

Most home internet connections require three common types of cables:

Types of Cables:

  • Phone cable: Connects a modem/router combo to a DSL internet line.
  • Coaxial cable: Connects a modem to the cable network in your home.
  • Ethernet cable: Connect your modem to your router and connect your router to your computer if you’re using a direct signal instead of Wi-Fi.

If any of these cables are not working correctly, you may find that your internet drops every half hour or so.

Your internet will be spotty, or worse: it will fail to work at all.

Internet Troubleshooting

Perhaps, this is the most crucial step in the process of figuring out why your internet drops every hour. This is where you diagnose the problem through a process of elimination.

Electrician fixing and testing laptop indoors.

After you’ve followed the steps below, you should be well on your way to discovering why your internet cuts out every hour:

Diagnosis

Finding why your internet goes out every hour requires that you eliminate all of the obvious possibilities.

The first step is to determine whether or not the internet is cutting out.

Next, determine if there’s a problem with the settings on your router or a problem with your cables.

However, eliminating these problems makes your job a lot easier to find the problem behind why your internet connection drops frequently.

Note the Time

Here is where you want to be as precise as possible with your timing.

Begin using your internet and record the exact times that your internet disconnects.

An internet connection that disconnects precisely every hour is different than an internet connection that disconnects roughly every hour. 

These nuisances may seem academic, but they are crucial to troubleshoot the problem accurately.

Moreover, an internet connection that disconnects randomly is much different than the previous two scenarios.

Therefore, an internet connection that randomly disconnects for a while and then begins working again is a sign that there are software and hardware errors on your network that you need to check.

If the disconnection happens every hour on the hour for a few seconds, then you have a software issue that should be easy enough for you to fix on your own. These simple fixes will be highlighted below.

Reset Your Modem/Router

Most software problems can be fixed by simply resetting your modem/router. This is perhaps the easiest way to repair your internet woes, and it serves as a good place to start when you don’t know what the problem is. 

Doing a reset clears up any settings that may be causing the problem. Furthermore, there is a chance that your software may be stuck in a loop, and resetting your modem/router will fix the problem allowing it to work optimally.

WPS/Wi-Fi and reset switch on router.

Don’t forget that resetting your router/modem will return it to its default settings, whereby you will have to reenter your password, SSID (Service Set Identifier), and network security protocols again.

Hardware Issue

If your internet drops out randomly, then there are multiple checks that you need to run on your network. Below are the different checks that may fix this problem.

Check Cables

Be sure to check your cables for any signs of wear and tear or corrosion.

Something as simple as a hard bend in the cable can cause connection issues.

All of your cables should be in perfect condition.

Check that your cables are properly connected to the modem/router and your PC to rule out these potential hardware problems.

Check Connectors

Your connectors at the end of the cable should be connected tightly.

Loosely tied connectors can be the reason why your internet goes out randomly.

Be certain that all of the connectors on your PC are in good condition and connected tightly.

Inspect your connectors and look for any signs of damage and replace them if necessary.

Software Issues

If you have done all of the above and still find that your internet gets disconnected every hour on the hour, there may be an issue with the settings either on your end or the ISP’s. Follow the steps below to fix this problem.

Reset Network Settings

There are several settings involved in navigating your internet connection, including VPN (Virtual Private Network) and DNS (Domain Name System).

You will have to reset your internet settings and then try reconnecting it to the internet. This step will most likely solve all of your troubles.

Alternatively, the source of your problems may be that metered connections are controlled for usage. This could cause you to lose connection every hour.

Check your settings for a metered connection, and reset it to default if there is a limit.

Check Your Modem for Overheating

If your internet connection is still dropping, check your modem to see if it’s overheating.

A modem that is overheating will cause unstable connections.

Should your modem be hot, turn it off and give it some time to cool down. Then turn it back on and test your connection.

If your connection is more stable, then you need to figure out a practical way to keep it cool, or you may have to replace it.

Contact ISP

If somehow nothing has worked for you thus far, then it’s time for you to contact your internet service provider.

Your ISP will be better equipped to fix this problem, but it may not be a quick fix. This is why you should troubleshoot on your own first before enlisting the help of professionals.

Author

  • Theresa McDonough

    Tech entrepreneur and founder of Tech Medic, who has become a prominent advocate for the Right to Repair movement. She has testified before the US Federal Trade Commission and been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, helping influence change within the tech industry.