Spectrum Internet Keeps Dropping (Easy Fixes)

If your Spectrum Internet keeps dropping, you can try a few fixes of your own since that might save you from having to call support.

Begin by checking if there’s an outage or whether something is interfering with your signal. If not, move on to rebooting your router and modem. It’s often all you need to do. You should also check your cables.

If that doesn’t solve your problem, you can check for firmware upgrades that still need to be installed. 

However, you might just be in a spot where your signal is weak, so repositioning your router (or yourself) could be the solution.

You can also reduce the number of devices using your Wi-Fi and, if your device supports it, use an ethernet cable or switch to another frequency if your router allows it.

However, any of these could point to a poor signal. A WiFi extender might offer a longer-term solution. Your last option before calling support is to check for viruses. 

Need more detailed instructions? Read on! 

How To Fix Your Spectrum Internet If It Keeps Dropping

1. Check for an Outage

Inconvenient though they may be, outages can and do happen. So, before you start troubleshooting your system, check whether there’s an outage.

You can use Sepctrum’s outage tool to see whether maintenance to infrastructure or a malfunction has led to an outage. You’ll usually get an estimated time for your internet service to be restored. 

2. Check for Interference

Just as devices can interfere with systems as important as an airplane’s, so there might be something interfering with your signal – and it’s not only devices that can cause this to happen.

Start by making sure that your Spectrum compatible router is far from electrical appliances. If you’ve placed it very high up, it may not be distributing signal to where you need it. It should be at tabletop height with its antennae spread out. 

You should also look for any large metal object that is near your router and that could be causing interference.

And in case your Spectrum internet was dropping when you used specific devices, check that they aren’t in airplane mode. Drawing a blank? It’s time to go ahead with a reboot.

3. How to Reboot Your Router and Modem

There are two ways to reboot depending on which Spectrum modem/router combination you’re using. You will either have a standalone combo, or you’ll have a gateway system. 

• Standalone System Reboot

If it’s standalone, disconnect the router from its power source and turn off the modem. If it has backup battery power, remove the batteries.

Let them stand for a minute or two with no power source connected. 

Now, reconnect the modem and let it boot up before plugging in the router and allowing it to start. With a bit of luck, this may have solved your problem. Try connecting to the internet to see if you were able to get it working again. 

• Gateway System

Begin by disconnecting the power from the gateway. Let it stand with no connection to a power source for a minute or two. Plug it in, let it restart, and check your internet connection. 

4. Inspect Your Cables

If there are loose connections or there’s visible damage to your cables, you may have found the reason why your Spectrum internet keeps dropping.

Unfortunately, cables can be damaged internally, so even if you don’t see a problem, the cables could still be at fault. If you have spare ones, try them to see what happens. 

5. Try Moving Your Router

If you notice that your internet is fine in some areas of your home but not in others, it could just be that the signal from the router is weak in specific spots.

They’re called “dead zones” and you might want to take steps to sort them out later. Meanwhile, you can try placing your router in a different location. 

If your dead zones are theoretically within range of your router, do remember that dense walls, heavy furniture, or conductive materials between your location and your router can effectively block or weaken signals. Try a different location for your router and restart it.

Alternatively, simply move to an area where the signal is stronger, at least for the time being. 

6. Check for Firmware Updates

Firmware is the software that keeps your router working. Updates usually install automatically, but if, for some reason, an update was interrupted or didn’t initiate, there could be one waiting for you.

Without it, your router may not work as it should. If you’re using a router that wasn’t supplied by Spectrum, this stops being an outside chance and becomes a very real possibility. 

Go to your browser and type “192.168.0.1” into the address bar. This allows you to log in to your router and do the check. 

To log in, find the necessary credentials. They’ll probably be on a sticker on your device. (Remember to check the underside too). If not, they’ll be in your user manual 

Now you need to hunt for the right place to check for firmware updates. Unfortunately, not all user interfaces are the same. It all depends on the specific model you’re using.

However, it’s usually found in “Advanced” under Administration or Management. 

If you aren’t having any success, see if you can find information on the router manufacturer’s website. The model number might lead you to the right upgrade information. 

If you found an upgrade, download it and save it to your computer. It will be in a ZIP archive, so open that and select the update. While the update is in progress, don’t interrupt the process.

Just wait it out. Once it’s done, restart your router and see if you’ve solved your internet issue. 

7. Have Fewer Devices Connected

Trying to run multiple devices off the same internet connection at once? Four or more could be too much for it, leading to a situation in which they all compete for a connection.

If your network is overcrowded, you’re likely to end up with your streams pausing to buffer, latency in your gaming, and very slow browsing speed. 

Shut down or disconnect devices you aren’t using and see how that affects your WiFi.

Do remember that the most intense demand on bandwidth comes from uploading and downloading, so this could just be an issue with what you’re doing right now

8. Switch to an Ethernet Cable and Disable Green Ethernet

If you’re struggling to use your computer using WiFi, you can get a more stable connection by using a cable connection. If you’re using a Windows computer, you will need to change a setting. 

The Green Ethernet setting reduces the drain you place on energy resources, but it can put the brakes on your network’s performance too.

If you were already experiencing problems when connected via cable, Green Ethernet could be to blame.

Go to your Network and Sharing Center and choose “Change Adapter Settings.”

If you right click on “Connection” you should get a “Properties” menu and you can navigate to “Configure” and from there to the tab named “Advanced” or “Power Management.”

You should see the Green Ethernet option, and all you need to do is disable it. 

9. If You Have a Dual-Band Router, Try Switching Bands

If you have a dual-band router, start by checking whether it’s “selectable” or “simultaneous.” Most dual band routers are selectable, which means that they transmit signals on either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency.

As the name tells you, simultaneous dual-band routers do both at once. If yours is selectable, switching frequencies might help. 

Log in and open your wireless settings. Search for the channels menu, select the alternative frequency, and click on “save” or “apply.” Now you can check to see whether the change has worked to improve your connection. 

10. If You Only Have Problems in the Evening, Try 5 GHz

Evenings see a hefty demand for online activities, and you could be competing with other users. Most people use the 2.4 GHz frequency, so if you have a dual-band selectable router, you can try switching to 5 GHz.

Before you do, you can also try ensuring that you aren’t struggling because you have too many devices connected yourself. 

11. Get a WiFi Repeater or Extender

If you’re fairly confident that your spectrum internet keeps dropping because there are dead spots in your home and you want to eliminate them, a WiFi repeater or extender could solve the problem. 

The device receives your WiFi signal, amplifies it, and transmits it, and in doing so, it might eliminate those dead spots. 

12. Check for Viruses or Other Malware

Malware can change your settings, altering your connection preferences. Not only will this mess up your internet connection, but it’s also not something you want on your device.

Just use whatever antivirus software you already have to run a check. If it finds and catches a culprit, it’s a case of problem solved. 

13. Clean Your Router With Compressed Air – Check for Sun Exposure

Over time, dust can get into your router, clogging it up and causing it to overheat. It can also cause your router to die completely. But, if it’s just causing disconnects, a spring cleaning might do the trick. 

Use compressed air to blow the vents clear of dust and get rid of any remaining dust by scooping it out with a cotton swab.

If you live in a dry, dusty climate, and have been going through routers every few months, it might be a good idea to do this as a monthly routine. 

Your router may be overheating for other reasons, though. Make absolutely sure it isn’t standing in direct sunlight.

Hot sun through a window can also interfere with your router or cause permanent damage. And, if it’s winter, make sure that it isn’t standing in the fall blast from your heating system. 

14. Call Support

It’s the last resort for many of us, but the first for some: call support. If you aren’t confident about troubleshooting your internet problem using our instructions, customer care can talk you through it.

However, you can be pretty sure they’ll start by telling you to reboot everything, and since this is an easy step, you may as well do it before you reach for the phone. 

We Hope You’re Connected Now!

With all this troubleshooting done, we hope that you’ve regained your connection and that your Spectrum internet is running smoothly.

If the problem comes down to your gear, remember to take good care of your router.

They don’t last forever, but regular cleans, making sure it doesn’t get too hot, and protecting it from power surges will do a lot to extend its service life.