11 Quick and Easy Ways to Fix a WiFi Router Not Broadcasting WiFi

Are you going crazy because your WiFi router suddenly “died” and stopped broadcasting a WiFi signal? Work and entertainment are all interrupted, it’s so frustrating! Don’t rush to call a technician or “throw out” the poor router. The good news is, there are many reasons why a router “acts up,” and most of them can be fixed at home quickly and easily! This article will reveal 11 extremely effective ways to fix a WiFi Router that’s not broadcasting WiFi, helping you solve the problem in a flash.

6 Ways to Fix a WiFi Router Not Broadcasting WiFi Due to Router Issues

The Router is the central device in a network system, but after a period of use, it can encounter problems that cause the WiFi to stop working. The cause may be that the device is too old, overheating, has a configuration error, or the broadcasting feature is not enabled. Here are 6 common ways to fix a WiFi Router to get it working stably again.

The WiFi Router is old

A WiFi Router, like other electronic devices, has a limited lifespan. After a long period of use, especially for Routers that are several years old, the internal components can degrade, operate unstably, or no longer meet modern WiFi standards. An old router may not handle increasing traffic well, leading to overloading, freezing, or even ceasing to broadcast WiFi. How to fix the WiFi Router: If your WiFi Router has been in use for a long time (e.g., over 3-5 years), upgrading to a newer Router with the latest technology and WiFi standards is an effective solution. A new router not only operates more stably but also provides faster WiFi speeds and wider coverage, better meeting your growing internet needs.

The WiFi Router is overheating

A WiFi Router generates heat during continuous operation. If the Router is not well-ventilated, the temperature can rise, especially in a hot environment or when the Router is handling many tasks at once. An overheating router can cause many problems, from reduced performance and intermittent connections to completely shutting down to protect its internal components. An overheating Router can cause it to not broadcast WiFi or to broadcast a weak, unstable signal. How to fix the WiFi Router: Ensure the Router is placed in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. Do not place the Router in a closed box or a narrow, confined space. If the Router is dusty, clean the ventilation slots. If the Router is still too hot, you can use a small cooling fan to help cool it down.

The Router has not been restarted for a long time

Like a computer or phone, a WiFi Router also needs to be restarted periodically. During continuous operation, the Router may encounter minor errors, its memory may become full, or unnecessary background processes may accumulate, slowing down performance and causing issues, including stopping the WiFi broadcast. Restarting the Router is a simple yet effective way to “refresh” the system, free up memory, fix minor errors, and help it operate more stably. How to fix the WiFi Router: Make it a habit to restart your WiFi Router periodically, either weekly or at least monthly. This not only helps the Router operate more stably but can also improve connection speed and minimize unexpected problems. You can turn off the Router’s power, wait about 30 seconds, and then turn it back on to restart it.

The Router’s SSID broadcast feature is not enabled

The SSID (Service Set Identifier) is the name of the WiFi network you see when you search for WiFi networks on your phone or computer. The SSID broadcast feature allows the Router to “advertise” its WiFi network name so that devices can find and connect to it. If the SSID broadcast feature is turned off in the Router’s settings, your WiFi network will be “hidden,” and devices will not be able to find and connect to it, even though the Router is still operating. How to fix the WiFi Router: Check the Router’s settings and ensure that the SSID broadcast feature (often called “SSID Broadcast,” “Visibility,” or “Enable SSID”) is turned on. You need to access the Router’s configuration management page (usually via the IP address 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and find the WiFi or Wireless settings section to check and re-enable this feature.

Poor WiFi transmission speed of the Router

Although poor WiFi transmission speed does not directly cause the Router to stop broadcasting, if the speed is too slow or the connection is unstable and intermittent, users may mistakenly think that the Router is not broadcasting WiFi. Additionally, in some cases, if the Router has hardware or configuration issues that lead to extremely poor WiFi transmission speed, it can also cause a complete loss of connection or an inability to broadcast stably. How to fix the WiFi Router: Check your internet and WiFi speed using online speed test tools. If the WiFi speed is too slow, try the following measures: Check for obstacles (thick walls, metal, etc.) that may be interfering with the WiFi signal. Change the WiFi channel on the Router to avoid congested or interfering channels. Update the Router’s firmware. If the WiFi speed is still very poor after trying these measures, your Router may have a hardware problem and needs to be checked or replaced.

Router has a configuration error

A Router configuration error is a fairly common reason for a Router to malfunction, including stopping its WiFi broadcast. Configuration errors can be caused by accidentally changing important settings, faulty firmware, or an incorrect initial setup. An incorrect configuration can affect many of the Router’s functions, including its ability to broadcast WiFi. How to fix the WiFi Router: If you suspect a configuration error, the simplest and most effective solution is to perform a Factory Reset on the Router. The Reset button is usually located on the back or bottom of the Router; you’ll need a small object like a paperclip to press and hold the Reset button for about 10-15 seconds while the Router is on. After the Reset, the Router will return to its original factory settings, and you will need to reconfigure it from scratch, including setting up the WiFi network name (SSID), password, and other settings according to your needs.

2 Ways to Fix a Router Broadcasting WiFi but with No Internet

The WiFi connection is visible but you can’t access the Internet is one of the most common errors people encounter. The cause can be from a fiber optic cable problem or the service provider limiting bandwidth. To help you quickly resolve this situation, let’s explore two simple and effective fixes below.

Fiber optic network problems

The most common reason for a WiFi Router broadcasting but having no Internet is often a problem with the fiber optic (FTTH) line connecting your home to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The fiber optic cable could be broken, bent, or have an issue somewhere along the line, especially during bad weather like storms, or due to external impacts. How to fix the WiFi Router: Observe the indicator lights on your Modem, especially the “LOS” (Loss of Signal) or “PON” light. If the “LOS” light is blinking red or is off, or the “PON” light is not on, this usually indicates a problem with the fiber optic line. If you’ve determined the problem is with the fiber optic line, the best course of action is to contact your Internet service provider’s technical support hotline directly (e.g., VNPT, Viettel, FPT…). Technicians will be able to remotely check the status of your line, identify the cause of the problem, and dispatch a technician to fix it if necessary.

Network provider is limiting bandwidth

In some cases, especially during peak hours or when you exceed the data allowance in your plan, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may implement a policy of bandwidth throttling. This means the ISP intentionally slows down your Internet speed to reduce the load on the overall network, or to ensure fairness for all users. How to fix the WiFi Router: Use online Internet speed test tools (like Speedtest.net, Fast.com…) to check your actual download and upload speeds. Compare the results with the committed speed in the plan you registered for with your provider. If the actual speed is significantly lower than the committed speed, especially during peak hours, it’s very likely you’re being throttled. Contact your service provider’s customer service department. Ask clearly about their bandwidth throttling policy, especially for the plan you’re on.

3 Ways to Fix a Router Not Broadcasting WiFi or Intermittent WiFi

Intermittent WiFi or a signal that won’t broadcast can disrupt work, study, and entertainment. Common causes can be too many devices connected at once, router signal interference, or the effects of bad weather. If you are experiencing these situations, refer to some of the fixes below to effectively improve the quality of your WiFi connection.

Too many devices connected to the Router at once

When the number of connected devices exceeds the Router’s capacity, especially when these devices are all operating at “full throttle” (e.g., streaming videos, downloading large files, online gaming), the Router can become overloaded. This can lead to the WiFi becoming slow, intermittent, or even stopping its broadcast entirely to “conserve its strength.” How to fix the WiFi Router: Check if there are any devices connected to the WiFi that you are not using (e.g., old phones, tablets, infrequently used IoT devices…). Temporarily disconnect them to reduce the load on the Router. For stationary devices like desktop computers, Smart TVs, or gaming consoles, use a LAN cable connection instead of WiFi if possible. A wired LAN connection is usually more stable and is not affected by the Router’s device limit.

Router signal interference

In modern living environments, there are many electronic devices that emit radio waves, from microwaves and cordless phones to Bluetooth devices and other WiFi Routers in the area. When your Router’s WiFi signal is interfered with by these sources, the signal can become weaker, the coverage area can shrink, or the connection can become intermittent and unstable. How to fix the WiFi Router: Place the Router in an open, ventilated area, away from electronic devices that can cause interference, such as microwaves, cordless phones, Bluetooth speakers, or other high-power electronics. Thick walls, metal materials, or mirrors can also obstruct the WiFi signal, so avoid placing the Router near these obstacles.

Bad weather

Bad weather such as rainstorms and lightning can affect the quality of your WiFi connection, even causing the Router to not broadcast WiFi or for the WiFi to become intermittent. The cause could be due to effects on the external network infrastructure (e.g., fiber optic cables affected by storms, lightning striking broadcast stations), or because the WiFi signal is weakened when transmitted through humid, cloudy air during bad weather. How to fix the WiFi Router: In many cases, the effect of bad weather on WiFi is only temporary. When the weather returns to normal, the quality of the WiFi connection will also improve. If the intermittent WiFi only occurs during bad weather, you can patiently wait for better weather.

Conclusion

Above are 11 quick and simple ways to fix a WiFi router that is not broadcasting WiFi that you can do yourself at home. Hopefully, with these solutions, you will be able to resolve the issue and maintain a stable internet connection. If you have tried all the methods and are still unsuccessful, contact your network service provider or consider replacing your router with a new one to ensure the best performance.