How To Stop Verizon Router From Disconnecting/Cutting Out?

Nothing can be more frustrating than not being able to watch your favorite show or a program just because your Verizon router keeps disconnecting and then reconnecting again.

I heard this complaint a lot from my readers and have decided to investigate this issue. Keep reading to find out what I have discovered.

Why Does Verizon Fios Router Keep Disconnecting?

The most common reason for your router to cut out is improper cable connection. If the cables leading to your router’s box aren’t inserted properly, it will cause the router to keep dropping the connection.

The second reason is a software glitch that can occur in your router and stop it from keeping the connection steady. This can usually be fixed by a simple router reset.

It is possible that your router is missing some important software/firmware updates. It can also cause an issue.

Other reasons may include weak Wi-Fi signal, too many devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network, obstructions to the signal path, improper power source for the router,  internal programming issues.

The last reason is that you simply have a faulty router or there are some issues with Verizon service itself.

In this case, there is clearly nothing much you can do but call Verizon and ask for assistance.

How to Stop Verizon Router from Disconnecting?

Now you know some of the possible causes why your router keeps cutting out. Here are the most effective ways I found that will help you fix this issue and get stable Internet connection.

1. Disconnect/Reconnect The Cables

As mentioned earlier, this is the most common issue for the disconnecting Wi-Fi. Sometimes the cables plugged into your router can come loose or get dirty or dusty.

This will prevent the router from booting and transmitting the signal properly.

To check the cables:

1. Disconnect all cables, check if they are damaged or dirty.
2. Blow inside the ports of the router to get rid of any dust.
3. Clean or replace the cables if you detect any broken or burnt cables.
4. Place them back in gently, then turn on your router and see if the connection becomes steady.

If you have a spare Ethernet, Coaxial or power cable at home, you can try swapping them and see if that helps get rid of the red globe issue.

You can even try borrowing it from a friend or a neighbor to test the theory out.

2. Reboot The Router

Next, try restarting the device. I highly recommend  this method because there is a chance you won’t need to do anything else apart from inspecting your cables to get your router to stop disconnecting.

To reboot your Verizon router:

1. Turn off the router by unplugging it from the power source.
2. Wait for about 30–60 seconds.
3. Plug the router back into the power source.
4. Wait for the router to boot up.

The solid white light will indicate that there is a connection and everything is working correctly.

3. Use Ethernet Cable

In this step, you will need to use Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet directly. This method is great for two reasons.

First, you will most likely get a stable Internet connection since Ethernet cable is the most reliable way to transfer the signal.

Second, you will be able to figure out whether your router is the issue by doing this step. If you can get the Internet through the Ethernet cable, it means that your router is faulty and can’t transmit wireless signal properly.

Contact Verizon to diagnose the issue and get your router fixed.

I also recommend testing your Wi-Fi signal strength and try moving the router closer to your other devices.

4. Over-Crowded Wi-Fi Channel

This will especially apply to you is you live in a densely populated area or in an apartment building where Wi-Fi signals can easily overlap and cause the connection to drop.

To fix this, log into your router and switch the Wi-Fi channel to see if it fixes your dropping Internet, you can usually find these settings under a tab labeled “Wireless” or“Wi-Fi.”

Use any channel other than the default or “auto”one and try setting a higher channel (if it was 1 change it to 2, and so on), and if that doesn’t work, try different channels. Play with the channels and find the one that works best for you.

5. Free Up Some Bandwidth

If you have quite a few devices connected to your router, try to temporarily disconnect some of the them from the Wi-Fi network to stabilize your Wi-Fi connection.

This way you will be able to see if the situation improves. If it does, you probably need to consider upgrading your Internet package. 

I also suggest reconnecting your devices back to the router one by one because one of them can as well be causing the issues with the connection.

6. Check For Software Updates

If your router still keeps disconnecting, the next step is to check the router’s firmware. It is possible that the firmware update didn’t get installed correctly.

To check for the software updates on your Verizon router:

1. Log in to the router’s Admin Web GUI.
2. Click System Settings.
3. Click Check for Software Update.
4. If there’s a new firmware version available, download and install it.

Once the firmware is up-to-date, restart your router and check to see if the router is working the way it should.

7. Check The Power Supply

If that doesn’t work, check to make sure that the power supply is plugged in and working properly.

Your router might not be getting enough power, which is causing it to constantly drop the connection.

Try using a different wall outlet. If you are using a surge protector, plug your router into the wall outlet instead.

8. Troubleshoot the Streaming Device

We’ve already given you quite a few steps o troubleshooting the Verizon router itself. Before we get to the factory resetting, there is one final thing I want you to try.

You will need to reset the device you are trying to use the Internet on. It is likely to be your PC, TV, or a smartphone. Simply power them off, wait for a minute or so, then power them back on.

Just like with the router, check for any pending software/firmware updates, and make sure your streaming device is properly updated.

If you are having problems on your PC/laptop only, update your antivirus software or temporarily turn it off, update your network adapter drivers, remove and re-add the wireless network,  and reset the network settings.

9. Reset The Router To Factory Settings

If you’ve tried all of the above, and you’re still experiencing this issue with your Verizon router, the last step is to reset the router to its factory settings.

This will erase all of your custom settings, so be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.

Verizon routers usually have a button that restores the factory settings with one click.

To reset your Verizon router through the reset pinhole:

1. Find a paperclip or any similar object.
2. Press and hold the reset button at the back of the router for about 10-15 seconds.
3. After a few minutes, your router should reboot and restore your connection.

Once the router is reset, try connecting to the internet again.

10. Contact Verizon

If factory reset didn’t stop your router from cutting out, the only thing left to do is to contact Verizon to clarify the situation. You can call 1-800-VERIZON to get in touch with them.

They can run the tests on their end to further determine what the issue is, and send one of their engineers your way for a closer look.

Conclusion

To sum up, I’ve come up with the list of the most effective tips to help you if your Verizon router keeps dropping connection and disconnecting frequently.

Check the cables first, then reboot your router, check for any software/firmware updates, make sure the Wi-Fi channel isn’t overcrowded, soft reset your streaming device. If nothing works, factory reset your router and contact Verizon for help.