Why Your Android Phone Keeps Disconnecting from Wi-Fi

Most of the time, an Android phone drops Wi-Fi because it decides the connection is poor and switches to mobile data on its own. Often it gets that wrong and the Wi-Fi was fine. Turning that setting off fixes most cases.

If it doesn’t, the four fixes after it cover the other common causes: a saved network that no longer matches the router, a router that handles your phone’s private address badly, missing updates, and a hotspot laptop that goes to sleep.

Fix 1: Stop Android from Switching Away from Wi-Fi

Open Settings, go to Wi-Fi (or Connections), and look in the advanced Wi-Fi options for the setting that leaves a network it thinks is bad. The name depends on your phone and Android version:

• Avoid poor connections
• Auto network switch
• Smart network switch
• Switch to mobile data (on Samsung phones: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Intelligent Wi-Fi)

Screenshot from a Motorola Moto X (1st Gen). Newer phones look different, but the option works the same way.

Turn the option off. The phone then stays on Wi-Fi unless the network really goes away.

Fix 2: Forget the Network and Join It Again

In Wi-Fi settings, tap the network, choose Forget, then join it again with the password. This clears saved settings that no longer match the router, for example after the password or security type changed.

Fix 3: Use the Phone’s Own MAC Address for This Network

Android 10 and later give each Wi-Fi network a randomized MAC address for privacy. Some routers, and many hotel and office networks, handle randomized addresses badly and keep dropping or re-checking the phone. Open the network’s settings, go to Privacy, and choose Use device MAC for this network only.

Fix 4: Restart and Update

Restart the phone and the router, then install any system update waiting on the phone. Updates often include Wi-Fi fixes.

Fix 5: If the Wi-Fi Comes from a Windows Laptop Hotspot

If your phone keeps dropping off a hotspot shared from a Windows laptop, the laptop may be going to sleep. On laptops with Modern Standby, Windows stops the hotspot about 10 minutes after the screen turns off. Keep the laptop plugged in with a longer screen timeout while devices are connected.

Still disconnecting from a Connectify Hotspot? Email us at support@connectify.me.

Share One Internet Connection with All Your Devices

Connectify Hotspot turns a Windows 10 or 11 PC into a Wi-Fi hotspot, so your phone and other devices can share the PC’s Wi-Fi, Ethernet, VPN or USB-tethered phone connection. It blocks ads for every device and shows what each one is using. Download Connectify Hotspot free.