You are in the middle of an important Zoom call or binge watching your favorite show on Netflix, and your Wi-Fi drops.
Few things are as frustrating as a connection that works one minute and disappears the next.
If you live in Nakuru and you have been dealing with spotty Wi-Fi, this is for you.
Most of the spotty Wi-Fi causes are fixable. Some you can sort out yourself in minutes. Others might point to a bigger problem with your current internet setup or provider.
Let us walk through each one.
Check Where You Have Placed Your Router
This is one of the most overlooked causes of poor Wi-Fi. Your router sends signals in all directions. If you tuck it behind the TV, stuff it in a drawer, or place it in a corner of the house, those signals hit walls and furniture before they reach your devices.
A better approach is to:
- Place your router in a central location in your home or office.
- Keep it elevated, off the floor.
- Keep it away from thick concrete walls if possible.
- Make sure there is open space around it, not enclosed in a cabinet.
If your house has multiple rooms or floors, the signal naturally weakens the farther you move from the router. A Wi-Fi extender or a mesh network system can help cover those dead zones without replacing your router entirely.
Too Many Devices Can Strain Your Connection
Think about how many devices are connected to your Wi-Fi at any given time. Phones, laptops, smart TVs, tablets, maybe even a smart speaker or two. Each device pulls from the same pool of bandwidth.
If your household has more than five devices online at the same time, you may need to upgrade your router or move to a higher-speed package.
Check the internet packages available with your service provider to find a plan that matches the number of devices you need to connect.
Identify and Remove Interference
Your Wi-Fi signal is not the only thing broadcasting in your home.
Devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can disrupt your signal because they operate on similar frequencies to your Wi-Fi. Physical barriers like thick walls and metal surfaces make the problem worse.
Here is how to reduce interference:
- Keep your router away from microwave ovens and other appliances.
- Switch your router from the 2.4 GHz band to the 5 GHz band if it supports both.
- Check if neighboring networks are competing on the same channel. You can use a free app like Wi-Fi Analyzer to check and then manually change your router channel in its settings
Restart Your Router the Right Way
It sounds too simple, but a proper restart fixes more Wi-Fi problems than people expect.
Unplugging your router first, waiting 30 to 60 seconds, plugging it back in, and then reconnecting allows your equipment to clear memory, reset local connections, and reconnect to your provider’s network cleanly.
Do not just press the reset button on the router. Fully unplug it from the power source, wait, and restart in the correct sequence.
Do this once a week as a routine, especially if you have been experiencing random drops.
Your Internet Plan Might Not Be Enough
Here is a question worth asking: are you actually subscribed to a plan fast enough for what you need?
Provider networks can become overloaded with too much traffic and not enough bandwidth. Some providers also intentionally slow down your connection during high-usage periods.
Use a tool like Speedtest.net to run a speed check. If your speeds are far below what you are paying for, the issue might be with your provider.
The table below gives a rough guide on how much speed you need based on usage:
| Usage Type | Recommended Speed |
| Basic browsing and email | 5 Mbps |
| Streaming HD video (1 device) | 10 to 15 Mbps |
| Video calls (e.g., Zoom) | 10 Mbps upload and download |
| Multiple devices (3–5) | 15 to 30 Mbps |
| Heavy streaming + gaming (5+ devices) | 30 Mbps and above |
If you are unsure which speed fits your household, this guide on how much internet speed you need breaks it down clearly.
Check for Unauthorized Users on Your Network
Someone else might be using your Wi-Fi without your knowledge. Neighbors or unauthorized users siphoning your bandwidth can reduce your signal.
If your router’s wireless indicator is blinking when no devices are in use, that can be a sign of an uninvited connection.
To fix this:
- Log into your router’s admin panel and check all connected devices.
- Remove any devices you do not recognize.
- Change your Wi-Fi password and use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, which is far harder to break than older security types.
Update Your Router Firmware
Your router runs software just like your phone does. When that software is outdated, you can experience bugs, dropped connections, and performance issues.
Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve performance, and address security issues.
Log into your router’s admin panel (usually through a browser at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and look for a firmware update option.
It takes only a few minutes to update your router and doing so can make a noticeable difference.
Consider Switching to Fiber Internet
If you have tried all the above and your Wi-Fi remains unreliable, the issue may be your connection type, not just your setup.
Wireless internet, while flexible, is more prone to interference and signal variation than fiber. Fiber optic internet sends data through light pulses in glass cables, which means you get consistent speeds with far less chance of interference or degradation over distance.
For residents in Nakuru, switching to TCOM fiber internet is often the single biggest upgrade you can make. It supports faster speeds for streaming, gaming, and working from home simultaneously across multiple devices.
If you are currently on a wireless plan on our network and you’re dealing with ongoing issues, explore both fiber and wireless plans at TCOM to see which option works best for where you live.
