WiFi signal strength fluctuates quickly, sometimes goes to No Signal

Using my new 6th generation iPad, sometimes I get a "no signal" message while I am browsing or reading an online article. Normally signal strength on my iPad or iPhone is the maximum 2 rings + the dot. Other times it's only one ring or no signal. I can see a similar effect if I'm using my Lenovo laptop. I can actually see the signal strength change every few seconds for a while.

Is my router going bad? Does this happen if a router is more than a couple years old? It's a TP-Link Archer C9, which I bought about 2 years if memory serves. Is there some other cause?

x509

try another channel, could be picking up some interference.

mnewxcv said:

try another channel, could be picking up some interference.

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Do I need to change the channel on all my devices, or just the router?

x509 said:

Do I need to change the channel on all my devices, or just the router?

Click to expand...

just the router, that devices will receive on whatever channel the router is broadcasting.

mnewxcv said:

just the router, that devices will receive on whatever channel the router is broadcasting.

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Thanks. I've made the change. Now I'm watching my iPad to see if those signal dropouts are gone.

There are free apps that will scan and show you the best wifi channel based in the least congestion.

Vengance_01 said:

There are free apps that will scan and show you the best wifi channel based in the least congestion.

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Yup- work pretty well too, if it's that bad, though the routers should be doing this themselves if the channel is set to 'auto'.

also what OS is the router running? i would make sure whatever it is is up to date, could be having crashes of some wireless subsystems (baseband radio drivers)