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Given how important it is to have reliable internet access in this day and age, it can be beyond frustrating when your internet keeps dropping. Whether you use the internet for work, to contact family, or to play games, it is necessary for the internet to not only be accessible but consistent.
Many of us have experienced a temporary internet outage due to things like weather or the network going down temporarily but when your internet constantly keeps going out for seemingly no reason, it is not always clear what the cause is.
Below are 9 of the most common reasons that your AT&T internet keeps dropping and potential ways to fix the problem.
Table of Contents
AT&T Internet Keeps Dropping: 9 Reasons Why It Happens And How To Fix The Problem
1. Old Or Outdated Router
It might not be the first reason that comes to mind but it is surprisingly common for your router’s age to affect its efficiency. Typically, routers last anywhere from 3 to 7 years. As your router gets older, it will struggle more to maintain a steady internet connection.
Since routers can be bought independently at any time, replacing one is fairly simple.
It is important to note that some internet providers will require users to get a router through their company so be sure to check with your provider before buying a new router.
2. Your Internet Speed Is Too Slow
One of the most common reasons behind internet dropping is a lack of internet speed. Depending on what you are using the internet for, your speed needs will vary. If you have a lot of devices connected to your network and multiple users trying to use the internet at the same time, your internet will drop if it cannot keep up.
You can determine what your internet speed is when you choose or upgrade your internet plan.
The increasing demand and usage of the internet in households means that you might need to upgrade your plan to match your amount of internet activity. For many, 25 Mbps is a high enough speed but some may need 50 Mbps or more.
3. The AT&T Provider Is Currently Down
The other common cause behind the internet suddenly dropping is if your provider is down. Your provider may be down for any number of reasons.
It can be caused by natural events, like an extreme wind storm. Power lines and servers can be affected by thunderstorms while cables can break due to cold temperatures or snow.
Your internet may go down due to human error as well. Construction and landscaping in nearby areas may accidentally clip power lines and cause a temporary outage.
Regardless of if the cause is nature or mankind, sometimes your provider is just down by accident. Unfortunately all you can do in these cases is wait for your internet to be restored.
4. Incorrect Router Placement
It often surprises people how much router placement can affect your internet connection. When your router is placed too far away from the device you are using, it can cause the internet connection to be weak or even disconnect completely.
Your router and devices have a certain amount of range so if your router is on the far reaches of your household, you will experience a weak internet signal strength. Furniture or items can also be getting in the way of your router providing internet efficiently.
5. Damaged or Faulty Cables
Just like taking care of your router is important, it is important to make sure your cables are in good condition. If your cables have been damaged over time or are starting to break, it will absolutely affect your internet.
Damage to cables may not be obvious at first. Check for dents or pockmarks on the cables. Be sure the cables are not loose either. You can always unplug and replug the cables to see if it is indeed the cables that are causing the issue.
6. Unclean Cables Or Router
Dust and dirt will accumulate over time on your cables and router. If these become particularly dirty, it can trap dust within the device and cause it to not function as well. It may sound odd to dust your cables and router to improve your internet but it does work.
You can clean both the inside and outside of your router. The outside can be wiped off using a cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth, and the inside can be cleaned with specialized vacuums which you can buy independently.
7. Your Device’s Software Is Outdated
Similar to the concept of updating your router regularly every few years, it is important to keep your device’s software up to date in order to strengthen your internet connection.
When a device is outdated, it can cause the drivers that your device uses to connect to the internet to struggle or even become corrupted.
Many devices automatically update but if you are suddenly experiencing internet disconnects for seemingly no reason, you can always check manually for software updates. Keeping your device up to date will help it run better.
8. The Network Is Busy
Networks can experience more traffic at certain times of day, commonly referred to as peak hours. This means that more users are online and trying to connect to the internet at once. The more congested a network becomes, the more likely it is that users will experience connection issues or disconnect entirely.
AT&T currently has something called Fiber Internet which is meant to improve upon these issues and prevent internet dropping during peak hours. However, it is still possible for peak hours to affect users and does not guarantee fast internet during busier times.
9. Your Network Is Not Secure
If your network is not secured with a strong password, then you may be vulnerable to people joining your network and causing it to become slower.
Similar to the concept of peak hours, if too many people are on your wi-fi without your knowledge it can cause internet issues.
Most users at this point create a unique password for their home or work network to prevent this issue. However, if you do not currently have a password or feel it is too weak, it might be wise to look into this issue to ensure that your network only has the intended users on it.
What To Do When Your AT&T Internet Keeps Dropping
The first step when your internet keeps dropping is just to reset your router. Most of the time a simple restart will remedy the issue. This also gives you time to inspect your router.
Check for dust, examine if the cables are loose, and determine if it might be time to get a new one. You can also use this as an opportunity to examine the router’s placement and see if that can be improved upon.
The next step is to check your device itself. Look for software updates and if there are any, go ahead and install them. You can also check your device’s settings to see if it has automatic updates enabled.
This will allow your device to do these updates for you so you do not have to keep checking for new updates.
You can always check for provider outages on a separate device, like your cellphone via cellular data. Alternatively, you can check the details of your current plan. Maybe you just are lacking in speed and are unaware of it.
Certain things like peak hours or inclement weather disrupting your internet are unfortunately out of your hands.
In times like that, there is little else that you can do except wait until the issue is resolved by the provider.
Conclusion
When your internet keeps dropping, the best thing to do is reset your router. You can also always check for provider outages in your area. Make sure to keep your router and cables clean and keep your device’s software updated to maximize the efficiency of your internet.
Even a small change like placing your router somewhere else in your house can help prevent your internet from dropping.