If you’re frustrated and wondering “why isn’t my WiFi working?”, you’re not alone. Slow, unstable, or completely dead WiFi is one of the most common home tech problems – and usually one of the easiest to fix. Whether your Internet keeps dropping, certain devices won’t connect, or everything suddenly feels slower than usual, the cause is often something simple.
This guide walks you through the most common reasons your WiFi isn’t working and the top fixes to get your connection fast, stable, and reliable again. You don’t need to be a tech expert – just follow these quick steps to diagnose the problem and get back online.
Tip: get the free Fing Desktop or Fing Mobile app to run network diagnostics, perform speed tests, and see exactly what’s causing slowdowns.
Why Isn’t My WiFi Working? Common Causes and How to Fix Them
Here are the top 10 most common causes of broken or slow Wi‑Fi, along with quick fixes to solve them. Plus, at the end, you’ll find a bonus tip to help you manage your Internet at its best.
1. Try a Different Device or Website
Before diving into deeper fixes, isolate the problem. Try visiting a website on another device. If only one device is slow or offline, the issue is likely specific to it — not your WiFi network. Restart the device or forget and rejoin the WiFi network to test.
But if your WiFi is not working across all devices, it’s time to explore further.
2. Restart Your Router
Let’s start with the classic fix — because it often works. Unplug your router, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This refreshes your network by clearing cached data and resetting connections that might be causing slow Internet.
Still wondering “Why isn’t my WiFi working?” after the reboot? Keep going.
3. Check for Loose Cables or Damaged Ports
Your router might be on, but is it properly connected? Inspect all cables — especially the power cord and ethernet cables — to ensure they’re snug and undamaged. Even a slightly loose connection can disrupt service and lead you to believe your WiFi isn’t working.
💡 Bonus tip: Make sure cables are out of reach from pets, children or vacuum cleaners, all frequent cable assassins.
4. Update Your Router’s Firmware
Outdated firmware is one of the most overlooked culprits behind slow Internet or random disconnections. Manufacturers regularly release updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and patch security flaws.
Head to your router’s admin panel and check for firmware updates. If you haven’t done this in a while — or ever — this could be the missing piece.
💡 Bonus tip: Check if your router is vulnerable to known threats using Fing Starter or Fing Premium — both include a router vulnerability scan that detects security flaws affecting your network. You can also schedule this feature to run automatically, so you’re always alerted to any flaw affecting your router’s health.
5. Optimize Your Router Placement
Your WiFi signal strength depends a lot on location. If your router is buried behind furniture or stuck in a corner, it might be weakening your entire connection.
Check out these tips to improve coverage:
- Place the router in a central, open area
- Keep it away from microwaves, fridges, or metal objects
- Elevate it on a shelf or wall mount
- If your home is large, consider mesh WiFi or a range extender to eliminate dead zones
This might solve your problem if you’re asking “Why is my WiFi so slow upstairs?” or in certain rooms.
6. “Why Is The Internet So Slow Today?” Run a Speed Test
Sometimes your WiFi technically works — it’s just painfully slow. Use Fing to run a quick speed test and compare the results with the speed your ISP promises.
If your speed is way below expectations, that confirms it: you’re not imagining things. It is probably time to find a better Internet provider in your area.
7. Check for Local Internet Outages
Everything looks fine, but the WiFi isn’t working? Your ISP might be to blame. Internet outages can affect entire neighborhoods.
Use the Fing App or Fing Desktop to check for outages reported in your area. This saves you time on unnecessary troubleshooting when the issue is completely out of your hands.
Simply visit the Fing Tools tab, where you’ll find the option to “Detect Outages”.
8. Identify Bandwidth Hogs
Your WiFi might be working, but someone in your house could be gaming, streaming, or uploading large files — eating up your bandwidth. Too many active devices at once = slow Internet for everyone.
Use the Fing App to see all connected devices. You’ll be able to spot heavy users by seeing who has the greatest number of devices connected.
9. Disconnect Inactive Devices
Smart TVs, tablets, and IoT devices often continue to use bandwidth in the background, even when they’re not actively being used. These devices can consume valuable resources for tasks like software updates, syncing data, or running background apps. It’s a good idea to disconnect or limit these devices, especially during peak usage times, to ensure your network is prioritized for what’s most important.
With Fing, you can block access for unused devices or schedule for them to go offline during busy hours — freeing up bandwidth for what really matters.
10. Slow Internet Only on Certain Sites? Try Fing’s Traceroute Tool
If your WiFi works but some websites are slow, the problem might not be your setup — it could be routing delays across the Internet.
The free Fing’s Traceroute feature maps your data’s journey across the web, showing where it’s slowing down. You’ll know whether the bottleneck is inside your home, at your ISP, or somewhere else entirely.
Bonus: Protect Your Network Long-Term
If the WiFi isn’t working, there might be deeper issues at play – like unauthorized access, outdated hardware, or network mismanagement.
With Fing Premium, you get:
🔐 Full network visibility
🚨 Instant alerts for new or suspicious devices
🛡️ Automatic security checks
🔄 Advanced troubleshooting tools
📅 A timeline of past events and connections
FAQs: Why Isn’t My WiFi Working?
1. Why isn’t my WiFi working even though the router is on?
This often happens due to firmware issues, loose cables, or temporary glitches. Restart your router, check connections, and update firmware.2. Why is my WiFi not working on one device but fine on others?
The device may have outdated software, bad WiFi settings, or a temporary network conflict. Restart it, forget and rejoin the WiFi, or update the OS.3. Why does my WiFi keep disconnecting randomly?
Common causes include interference (microwaves, walls, metal surfaces), overloaded networks, overheating routers, or ISP instability.4. Why is my WiFi slow even when nobody is using it?
Background apps, smart devices, automatic updates, or weak router placement may be reducing performance. Check connected devices and optimize placement.5. Why is a specific website slow even though my WiFi works?
Sometimes routing or server issues affect only certain sites. Use Fing’s Traceroute tool to find where the delay occurs.6. When should I call my Internet provider?
If multiple devices are offline, speeds are consistently far below your plan, or there’s a suspected local outage, contact your ISP for support.
Don’t Settle for Slow Internet
Slow or broken WiFi isn’t just annoying — it affects everything from work to entertainment. Fortunately, most issues can be solved quickly when you know what to look for.
So next time you’re wondering “why is my WiFi not working?”, come back to this guide — and tackle the issue with confidence.
And remember: with Fing, your network never has to stay a mystery.
