Wi-Fi isn't a luxury, but an essential part of our everyday lives. It's no longer a minor inconvenience when your internet connection randomly cuts out during a virtual work call or TV show, or while you're completing your taxes online.
Last year, CNET's broadband survey found that home internet prices continue to increase. At the time of the survey, US adults paid, on average, $195 more than in 2024, and 51% of those who saw bill increases still had unreliable internet.
Despite the high cost of internet service, CNET recently found that 86% of US adults experience Wi-Fi signal drops or disconnections. Even worse, nearly 1 in 5 (19%) have ongoing Wi-Fi problems, sometimes on a daily basis.
CNET's broadband expert, Joe Supan, says more US adults experience problems with their Wi-Fi than he would have expected. Internet service providers have made significant improvements to their systems over the last few years, but one essential factor could still be keeping you from a stable connection: your router.
CNET Survey key takeaways
- 86% of adults have experienced a Wi-Fi signal drop or disconnection.
- 19% report experiencing Wi-Fi signal drops always, daily or frequently.
- 78% of US adults' activities are affected by Wi-Fi performance.
- Nearly half (46%) of adults experience streaming issues due to poor Wi-Fi performance at home.
Most US adults have experienced Wi-Fi disconnections or signal drops
CNET found that most US adults are familiar with Wi-Fi going out. Nearly 9 in 10 (86%) have experienced disconnections or signal drops.
Many US adults (41%) report losing Wi-Fi signal a few times a year, while 26% experience signal drops once or twice a month. About 2% don't have a stable connection, so Wi-Fi disconnections are common.
Losing a critical internet connection, even a few times a year, is a hassle. But why does this happen? Supan explained why some households experience more frequent disconnects than others.
Your router may need an upgrade
If you're regularly unplugging your router or modem to get a steady connection, it could be too old.
Supan says that most people don't consider upgrading their router as long as it's working. Upgrading can be expensive, with even CNET's best router costing over $170.
However, it's best to replace your router every five years to keep up with the latest hardware, security, speed and software upgrades. Some ISPs may offer you new equipment at the five-year mark if you ask, Supan says.
"If you're leasing equipment from your provider, definitely keep in touch with them," says Supan. "If you happen to be calling them about a plan change or something else, see what the options are for new equipment, especially now that Wi-Fi 7 has become more popular."
Supan recommends buying your own router versus renting one. If your ISP is charging you an equipment fee each month, a single purchase will eventually pay for itself, he says.
When shopping for a new router, consider what you'll use it for. For example, if you're an avid gamer, CNET recommends the Linksys Velop Pro 6E as the best gaming router for its jitter and packet-loss performance. If you live in a large home, you may consider buying a mesh Wi-Fi system for a stable connection throughout your home.
Watch this: Which Router Upgrade Is Right for You?
Your internet connection type could be inferior
Supan says that some internet connection types are generally less reliable, such as satellite, fixed wireless and 5G home internet. These connection types lack physical infrastructure and are more susceptible to weather-related issues and congestion than fiber or cable connections. For example, 5G home internet relies on a wireless connection to a cell tower to operate, much like your smartphone.
Other issues could negatively affect your Wi-Fi
Supan says your Wi-Fi problems could have less to do with activity and more to do with related circumstances. You may notice slower Wi-Fi speeds when you watch TV every night, which could be because the TV is farther from the router.
Or it could boil down to the timing. If you're noticing issues during a specific time frame, it could be during internet rush hour, which is when your internet slows down because more people are using it. Supan says peak usage time is usually in the evening after traditional work hours, between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time.
Using a single router to run multiple activities simultaneously can also make it difficult to stream shows throughout the home. For example, streaming 4K in the basement and the living room may degrade your Wi-Fi performance if you're relying on a single router.
Poor Wi-Fi has affected 78% of US adults' activities
CNET found that among the 78% of US adults affected by poor Wi-Fi performance, streaming TV shows and movies is the activity most impacted (46%), followed by using multiple devices at once (39%), gaming (18%) and video calls (14%). Here's a full breakdown.
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How to boost your home's Wi-Fi performance
You may have tried all the well-known tips and tricks to improve your signal, such as unplugging your router for a few minutes or moving to a different room in your house. Here are a few other tips to try.
Watch this: Quick tips to help speed up your Wi-Fi at home
Do a speed test
Before you change your ISP or router, run a speed test to see your Wi-Fi's performance in real time. Running a speed test helps ensure you're getting the ISP speed you're paying for and helps you fix any Wi-Fi problems, instead of guessing.
CNET has a list of speed tests and advice to help you choose the right one for your Wi-Fi, but recommends Ookla as the overall best speed test, while Fast.com is best for streamers. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Move your router and check for updates
The location of your router is crucial to your Wi-Fi's performance. Supan recommends keeping it off the ground and avoiding direct contact with walls or other hard, dense objects.
Supan says a lot of people try to hide their router behind objects. "Even though they're ugly, that can have a pretty big effect on the signal," Supan says. If your router has external antennas, you can also try adjusting them to get better signal quality.
Aim for the router to be as close to the center of the room as possible. If you have a mesh router system, Supan recommends placing your mesh extenders no more than two rooms apart. Try to avoid placing your extenders in dead zones and near furniture.
Supan also recommends checking if your router has a software update. Most routers update automatically, but if you haven't visited your router app in a while, it's worth checking.
CNET Lab Exclusive: Is upgrading to Wi-Fi 7 actually worth the higher price?
Supan tested 34 routers over the past year and found that Wi-Fi 7 routers are faster than older generations. Wi-Fi 7 routers tend to be more expensive but have better value for the cost.If you have Wi-Fi 7 devices, live in a larger house that struggles with a stable connection or want better speed, it may be worth upgrading your router. Check out more of Supan's testing and his recommendations.
Try a different channel
Supan says most routers have both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels, which are basically two Wi-Fi networks you can connect to. If one network seems slow, try the other. Keep in mind that 2.4 GHz typically covers a wider area but has slower speeds, whereas 5 GHz is faster but has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz.
Read more: 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Wi-Fi: Which Wi-Fi Band Is Right for Your Home?
Try a personal hotspot or backup Wi-Fi system
If your Wi-Fi goes out, try using your mobile hotspot to temporarily connect to the internet using your smartphone and cellular network. Just keep in mind that your mobile hotspot may not be as fast as your home internet for bandwidth-intensive activities.
Supan also recommends checking with your ISP for any available wireless backup Wi-Fi systems. Some provider options, like Spectrum's Invincible Wi-Fi, let you stay online if your signal drops or the internet is disconnected. Even though the connection may not be as strong, you'll still be able to get online.
Methodology
CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2,457 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between Feb. 2 to Feb. 4, 2026. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (age 18 and over).
