Whether you're trying to connect devices in your office, serve guests through a public network, or power mission-critical apps, WiFi that drops – or won’t connect at all – can bring your business operations to a halt.
The productivity losses that accompany a poor WiFi connection can quickly become a costly problem, with a 2025 report revealing that one in three organizations reported losses of $1 million to $5 million due to network outages in the past year.1
At TailWind, we specialize in IT support for multi-location businesses, so we’ve seen it all. Below, we’ll walk through common WiFi problems, how to identify what’s causing them, and what steps you can take to get your network working again.
Is My WiFi Working? How To Tell
Before you can fix a WiFi issue, it helps to know exactly what’s wrong. Some problems come from your internet provider, while others stem from your equipment or even a single device.
You may have a WiFi issue if:
- Devices can’t connect to the network at all
- You see a “connected, no internet” message
- Applications are slow or failing to load
- Only some areas of your building have a signal
- Your WiFi adapter keeps turning off unexpectedly
If any of these sound familiar, this guide can help you narrow down the problem and find a solution.
Top 7 WiFi Troubleshooting Questions & Solutions
WiFi issues can be frustrating, but most have simple explanations. Start with these common questions to figure out where things are going wrong and how to fix them.
1. Is My WiFi Actually Down?
Sometimes the problem isn’t your WiFi network at all. It could be that one of your devices is having trouble, or that a specific website or app is temporarily unavailable. The easiest way to confirm whether your WiFi is really down is to test several devices on the same network. If everything is slow or unable to connect, that’s a good sign the issue is network-wide rather than device-specific.
Another sign that your WiFi itself is down is if multiple users in your office are experiencing the same problem. The cause could be anything from a temporary service outage to an equipment issue, but knowing the problem affects more than one device can help you narrow it down.
2. Is My Router Not Working?
The indicator lights on your router should always be on and steady. If they’re blinking or not lit at all, your router or modem may have lost power or connectivity. In that case, restarting your equipment or checking your connection to the wall outlet is a good first step. Here’s how to do it:
- Unplug both the router and the modem
- Wait 30 seconds
- Plug the modem in and wait one minute
- Plug the router in and wait another minute
- Reconnect your devices and test again
This process clears temporary connection errors and refreshes the network. If the router still doesn’t power on or shows an unusual light pattern, it might need to be replaced.
3. Why Can’t I Connect to WiFi?
If your devices can’t connect at all, check for simple physical issues first. Make sure all power cords and Ethernet cables are plugged in, look for frayed or bent wires, and confirm that your wall outlets or power strips are working.
Overheating equipment can also cause temporary failures. If your modem or router feels unusually warm, unplug it for a few minutes to cool down before turning it back on.
4. Is My WiFi Adapter Not Working?
If only one computer is having trouble, the issue may be with its WiFi adapter. You can try:
- Turning your PC’s WiFi off and on again
- Updating your network adapter drivers
- Running Windows’ Network Troubleshooter
- Resetting network settings under System > Network > Reset
Still not connecting? TailWind’s managed IT support team can help diagnose deeper device-level problems.
5. Is My WiFi Not Connecting to the Internet?
Sometimes your WiFi will appear to be working – your device shows that it’s connected – but nothing online will load. This usually points to a configuration issue in your router or a problem with how your network assigns IP addresses. Admins can log into the router’s interface and check whether its settings look correct, including that DHCP is enabled and the device has a valid IP address listed.
If the configuration looks fine, you may be dealing with a DNS or gateway mismatch that prevents traffic from reaching the internet. These issues can happen after a firmware update, a brief power loss, or a manual settings change. In many cases, a quick reboot of your router can resolve them.
6. Still No WiFi?
If everything looks fine, but the internet still isn’t working, your ISP may be having an outage. Try connecting one computer directly to the modem using an Ethernet cable. If that doesn’t work, use your phone’s mobile data to check your ISP’s status page or reach out to their support line.
For businesses with broadband aggregation, outages are less disruptive because traffic can automatically switch to another available circuit. This type of redundancy helps keep operations online even when one connection goes down.
7. Are WiFi Boosters or Extenders Worth It?
If your signal is weak in parts of your building, a booster or extender might help.
- WiFi extenders rebroadcast your existing signal to reach further.
- WiFi boosters amplify your signal to improve strength and clarity.
Both can work well in the right setup, but they also introduce new failure points. At TailWind, we typically recommend enterprise-grade wireless access points (WAPs) and structured cabling for more reliable, scalable coverage.
Explore our full blog comparing WiFi extenders vs boosters to learn which option is right for your business.
How To Fix WiFi That Works in Some Places, But Not Others
Coverage gaps, or “dead zones,” are common in large buildings, crowded spaces, and facilities with thick walls or reflective materials. Symptoms of poor coverage include slow speeds, signal drops, or devices losing connection as you move around.
A professional site survey can identify exactly where your signal weakens and what causes interference. In many cases, strategically placed WAPs or upgrades to newer technologies like WiFi 6 or WiFi 6E can improve performance.
Get Reliable WiFi With TailWind
If you're still wondering how to fix WiFi after trying all the above, it might be time to bring in help. A managed IT provider like TailWind can pinpoint network issues faster and keep them from happening again with services like:
- Remote and on-site troubleshooting
- Day 2 support for network performance
- Equipment staging, installation, and upgrades
- Wireless access point optimization
- Broadband aggregation and ISP management
From “why can’t I connect to WiFi?” to “how do I fix it fast?” – we’ve got you covered. At TailWind, we help multi-location enterprises eliminate WiFi headaches with nationwide support, managed IT services, and field-ready deployment teams.
Tired of struggling with WiFi issues across your locations? Get in touch with our team today.
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