# Still tethered to the modem: Why won't my wireless connectivity work dependably? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416 "2005-08-24T13:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/1 "2005-08-24T13:44:23Z")
It does work, actually. I’ve got the security settings working, I followed the procedures given to me by Verizon for doing that. But now I’ve noticed that it spontaneously stops working. I’ll be sitting here working–everything humming along fine, when all of a sudden I hear a “plink”, and the dreaded pop-up appears saying that the physical connectivity has been lost. And it’s not because the router is two rooms away. As I type this it’s about 18 inches behind my back. Why is it so undependable? Did I not buy a good enough wireless adapter? It’s a Belkin G, and when it does work it works fine; I can’t even notice any difference between using it and using wired access. This isn’t helping me in my effort to convince my wife we should set her computer up to be wireless too, so we can give up one of the two DSL lines that we have. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/2 "2005-08-24T14:49:28Z")
Sounds like interference. Some things to check: Certain consumer electronics use the same frequency band or just put out a lot of interference. E.g., wireless phones and other wireless devices, microwave ovens, things with motors like fridges, AC units, vacuum cleaners, etc. Channels (frequencies). Try using different channels. A neighbor or another device might be using the same channel. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/3 "2005-08-24T16:44:40Z")
Thanks for the response. There is a TV in the room as well as a cable box and stereo system, but all that is across the room. The TV was on when this happened today. As for the cell phone, I usually do keep it pretty close, either wearing it or having it on the coffee table next to me; however, I haven’t been using it when the interruptions occur. The fridge is in the kitchen, which opens off the far end of the very long living room in which I’m working. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/4 "2005-08-24T20:58:21Z")
By “wireless phone” I mean a “cordless phone”. Cell phones use different bands from WiFi, while many cordless ones do. But “wireless” items in general (including cordless phones) should be considered. And across the room is no distance at all in this situation. E.g., your neighbor’s baby monitor can be causing the problem. Also signal noise propagates very well thru household wiring from plugged in appliances. So that microwave a floor away can still be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/5 "2005-08-25T00:48:46Z")
I agree with **ftg** in that it might be interference. I had a hell of a time with my cordless phone knocking out my wireless for a while until I figured out how to manually change the channel (1-9 or 1-12 I think) on my wireless router. Most phones also let you change channels but mine didn’t. Every time the phone rang, wireless went out. I think I occasionally have problems with the microwave giving interference. Of course my router and receiver are about 60ft apart. See if you can’t figure out how to change the channel on your router (or “base station”) and see which one gives you the best long-term connectivity. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/6 "2005-08-25T16:36:55Z")
egad, sounds like my wi-fi dependability is toast. I’d hate to think I have to give up most of my other appliances to make my wi-fi work. Does it make any difference if the TV or stereo are turned off, or if the toasteris being used? For that matter, what about lamps? Should I have the apartment piped for gaslight? I did try changing my channel to 3 however. There’s usually one other router in the vicinity that can be detected by my adapter, and they’re on Channel 6. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/still-tethered-to-the-modem-why-wont-my-wireless-connectivity-work-dependably/318416/7 "2005-08-25T18:49:33Z")
I recently went wireless, using a NetGear router off a Comcast cable modem. I had problems with intermittent connectivity, until I unchecked the “allow Microsoft/Windows to manage wireless connection” box in one of the network properties windows. Turns out I had to let the NetGear software manage the connection all by itself; the Microsoft defaults were interfering and causing interruptions. Might be something to look into.