Frontier Fiber Wi-Fi Keeps Dropping: Fixes

If your Frontier Fiber Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, the most common causes are router placement issues, Wi-Fi channel congestion, or outdated firmware. Start by checking your router's position, switch to a less congested Wi-Fi channel, and ensure firmware is up to date — these three steps resolve most intermittent connection drops.

A solid fiber connection means nothing if your Wi-Fi keeps cutting out. Frontier Fiber delivers reliable speeds to your ONT, but the wireless signal between your router and devices can be disrupted by interference, distance, and configuration issues. This guide walks through every fix, from quick adjustments to advanced solutions. Need immediate help? Call Frontier at 1-855-981-6281.

Quick Diagnostic: Is It Wi-Fi or Your Fiber Connection?

Before troubleshooting Wi-Fi specifically, confirm the issue isn't with the fiber line itself:

Connect a device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable
Monitor the wired connection for 10-15 minutes
If the wired connection drops too, the issue is with the ONT or fiber line — see our slow speeds troubleshooting guide
If the wired connection stays stable, your fiber is fine and the issue is wireless — continue with the fixes below

Fix 1: Optimize Router Placement

Poor router placement is the number one cause of Wi-Fi drops. Radio signals weaken as they pass through walls, floors, and objects. Follow these placement guidelines:

Central location: Place the router near the center of your home, not in a corner or closet
Elevated position: Mount it on a shelf or wall at roughly chest height — signals radiate outward and downward
Clear line of sight: Avoid placing it behind TVs, inside entertainment centers, or behind fish tanks (water blocks signals effectively)
Away from interference sources: Keep at least 3 feet from microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth speakers
Away from metal objects: Metal reflects and absorbs Wi-Fi signals. Avoid placing near filing cabinets, refrigerators, or metal shelving

Fix 2: Change Your Wi-Fi Channel

In apartments and dense neighborhoods, dozens of routers compete on the same Wi-Fi channels, causing interference that drops connections. Here's how to find a cleaner channel:

For the 2.4 GHz band:

Use channels 1, 6, or 11 — these are the only non-overlapping channels
Download a Wi-Fi analyzer app (like WiFi Analyzer on Android or AirPort Utility on iOS) to see which channels your neighbors use
Switch to the least congested channel

For the 5 GHz band:

The 5 GHz band has more available channels and less congestion
Channels in the DFS range (52-144) are often empty because many devices don't support them
If your router supports DFS channels, try switching to one for less interference

Access your router's settings through the admin panel (typically 192.168.1.1) or through the Frontier router app to change channels.

Fix 3: Update Router Firmware

Outdated firmware can cause random disconnections, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues. Frontier pushes firmware updates automatically to their branded routers, but they sometimes require a manual restart to apply.

Log into your router's admin panel
Navigate to the firmware or software update section
Check for and install any pending updates
Restart the router after updating

If you use Frontier's eero mesh system, updates are applied automatically through the eero app. Open the app and check Settings > Software Updates to verify you're on the latest version.

Fix 4: Separate Your Wi-Fi Bands

Many modern routers combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz into a single network name (SSID) and let the router decide which band to assign each device. This "band steering" doesn't always work well and can cause devices to bounce between bands, dropping the connection briefly each time.

Create separate SSIDs for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (e.g., "HomeWiFi" and "HomeWiFi-5G")
Connect nearby, high-bandwidth devices (TVs, gaming consoles, laptops) to the 5 GHz network
Connect distant or low-bandwidth devices (smart home sensors, security cameras) to 2.4 GHz

Fix 5: Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System

If your home is larger than 1,500 square feet or has multiple floors, a single router may not provide adequate coverage. Dead zones cause devices to drop and reconnect repeatedly.

Frontier offers the eero mesh system, which uses multiple access points to blanket your home in consistent Wi-Fi coverage. The eero app provides diagnostics for each node and device, making it easy to identify and resolve problem areas.

Alternatively, third-party mesh systems from TP-Link, Netgear, or Asus work well with Frontier Fiber — just connect the primary mesh unit to the Frontier ONT or router via Ethernet.

Fix 6: Check for Device-Specific Issues

If Wi-Fi drops on only one device, the problem is likely with that device rather than your network:

Forget and reconnect: Remove the saved Wi-Fi network on the device and reconnect from scratch
Update Wi-Fi drivers: Especially important on Windows laptops — outdated drivers cause frequent disconnections
Disable Wi-Fi power saving: Some laptops turn off Wi-Fi to save battery. In Windows, go to Device Manager > Network Adapters > your Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > Power Management and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
Reset network settings: On phones and tablets, reset network settings to clear corrupted Wi-Fi configurations

Fix 7: Contact Frontier Support

If none of the above fixes resolve the issue, the problem may be with Frontier's equipment. Contact support at 1-855-981-6281 and request:

A remote diagnostic of your ONT and router
A router replacement if yours is malfunctioning
A technician visit to check wiring and signal strength

Check Frontier Fiber Availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Frontier Wi-Fi drop at the same time every day?

Consistent drops at the same time often indicate peak-hour congestion in your neighborhood's Wi-Fi spectrum, a scheduled firmware update on the router, or interference from a device that operates on a schedule (like a sprinkler controller or microwave). Try changing your Wi-Fi channel to avoid interference.

Does Frontier's eero system fix Wi-Fi drops?

In most cases, yes. The eero mesh system eliminates dead zones by using multiple access points throughout your home. It also features automatic channel selection and seamless handoff between nodes, which prevents the brief disconnections you get when a device switches between access points.

Should I use my own router with Frontier Fiber?

You can use your own router with Frontier Fiber. Connect it to the ONT's Ethernet port and configure it with DHCP. High-quality third-party routers often have better range and more configuration options than ISP-provided equipment. Frontier does not charge a router rental fee on most fiber plans.

How can I tell if my router is failing?

Signs of a failing router include frequent reboots (check the uptime in admin settings), one or more indicator lights showing red or amber, unusually hot casing, and Wi-Fi that disconnects even when you're close to the router. If your router is more than 4-5 years old and showing these symptoms, replacement is likely the fix.

Will a Wi-Fi extender fix my Frontier Wi-Fi drops?

Wi-Fi extenders can help with coverage in distant rooms, but they cut your effective speed in half because they receive and retransmit the signal on the same channel. A mesh system is the better solution for persistent drops, as it uses dedicated backhaul channels to maintain full speeds between nodes.

Check Frontier Fiber Plans

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up through them at no additional cost to you. Our recommendations are based on independent research and testing. We are committed to providing honest, unbiased information to help you make informed decisions about your internet service. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Pablo Mendoza — Senior Telecom Analyst at InternetProviders.ai. Pablo has spent over a decade analyzing broadband markets and helping consumers find the best internet service for their needs. He tests provider performance regularly and stays current with the latest fiber technology developments.