It’s a strange thing: the Wi-Fi on my devices is active, the connection doesn’t drop, but the internet itself periodically “dies”. Everything freezes for a couple of minutes, then comes back to life. So, in fact, there’s a connection, but no traffic. What could it be?
Could absolutely be a weak Wi-Fi link or interference. “Connected” just means your device is still associated to the network. It doesn’t mean the connection is healthy.
I’d check the signal and channels with a Wi-Fi analyzer
@Critical-Tailor-17 How exactly can I check this?
You could try NetSpot. It’s a pretty handy tool: it allows you to quickly audit your premises and create a heat map of your coverage. If the program shows low signal strength in problem areas, it means the issue is with the router’s placement or obstacles, not with network settings or old equipment. This will help you immediately rule out coverage issues.
Also, check what band you’re on. If you’re stuck on a crowded 2.4 GHz channel, it could indicate interference. It’s common for a strong signal to be present, but neighboring routers are operating on the same frequencies and are literally “cluttering” your airwaves. NetSpot will show you which channels are congested. Sometimes, simply switching to a less crowded channel or 5 GHz is enough to stop these brief signal drops.
@MacStuckInTheMud Thanks, that sounds logical. I’ll try taking some measurements and see what’s going on with neighboring networks.