Have you ever wondered why does my internet keep going out at night? It can be frustrating when you’re about to complete a raid on your favorite online game, and the connection cuts out. Or, when you’re deep in research for a school project, and the page goes missing. If you’re tired of the interruptions, we can fill you in on the common reasons that cause your internet to act up and go offline. Keep reading to learn what to do in these situations!
Network Maintenance
Most ISPs schedule their maintenance at night when fewer people are using the internet so as to not disrupt the user’s service. During maintenance, ISPs may need to update hardware and temporarily take certain sections of the network offline.
This prevents customers from being able to access the internet. Performing maintenance at night also allows ISPs to ensure all customers’ access remains at peak performance, which can be difficult to achieve when everyone is online at the same time.
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Congestion
Internet congestion can be a major problem during peak hours. During peak hours, such as the evening when most people are using the wifi problems, this available bandwidth can be easily maxed out, and Internet users in the area sharing this bandwidth are forced to make due to slower speeds and connections that time out more frequently.
Congestion can make it difficult for any user to guarantee consistent access to the slow Internet during peak hours. It can also cause high latency, lost packets, and buffering. To counter this, these services often use traffic control methods, such as throttling, to limit access to those with paid, higher-speed plans or more important traffic.
Bandwidth Limitations
This can cause connection speeds to slow down significantly for all users. Bandwidth limitations can be caused by router capacity or connection type. If the router capacity is exceeded, it will sometimes cause the Internet outage to lag or completely shut down. If the router is connected with a slower connection type like dial-up, it will be unable to keep up with the demand of all users, especially during peak usage.
Further, if devices connected to the router, such as video game consoles, streaming devices, and IoT devices, are all attempting to use the internet simultaneously, it may cause bandwidth limitations.
Overheating Equipment
This problem is often caused by overheating equipment, which is caused by too much strain and overcrowding. This occurs when multiple devices connected to the same modem are trying to use the same frequency simultaneously. Overheating causes strain on the connection and can cause routers to malfunction and quickly lose their connection. To prevent this from happening, make sure you have proper ventilation around your modem and limit the number of devices you have connected at a single time.
Router Firmware Issues
This is the set of instructions that tell your router how to process signals and data. If something goes wrong with this, your router may struggle to transport the data correctly and cause an outage. Router firmware problems can affect the range and stability of your internet connection. If your router experiences an issue at night, when you’re away from it, it can be difficult to identify and fix the problem.
Wi-Fi Interference
A significant amount of wireless signal interference can occur during peak hours when everyone is online. This is because many devices, such as microwaves and cordless phones, emit electromagnetic fields which interfere with WiFi signals. In addition, the walls of a home or office can cause interference as signals have to travel further and may be weakened as a result.
Household items such as routers, baby monitors, and other electronics emit interference and can also result in weaker connections at night. To improve your signal strength, consider changing the frequency of your router or relocating it away from other devices that could be causing interference.
Malware or Viruses
Malware is a type of malicious software designed to damage or disrupt your computer system, and viruses are a type of malicious code that spreads from computer to computer, often via downloads and links. Malware and viruses often lay dormant until night, when internet traffic is at its lowest, and then they launch their attack.
This attack can cause your Internet to go out, and you may be unable to access certain sites or resources. When malware or viruses infect your computer, it can damage its memory and CPU performance, leading to a slow and unreliable internet connection.
DNS Issues
DNS, or Domain Name System, is a critical component of the internet, allowing computers to access websites. As such, DNS issues can be a primary cause of why an internet connection keeps going out at night. DNS issues may arise due to the overwhelming:
- amount of traffic at peak hours
- congestion in the server infrastructure
- power outages
- a bad DNS server configuration
- outdated software
- an unreliable provider
To fix the problem, you may need to switch to a faster, more reliable DNS provider, configure your router and reinstall your network adapter, or contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for assistance.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can have a significant impact on our internet connection. At night, the weather may cause electrical interruptions that interfere with our connection. Storms can bring severe weather that interferes with our wiring. This is especially true if you live in an area prone to high winds, thunderstorms, and lightning which can cause power outages. Furthermore, heavy rain can contain lots of moisture which could cause temporary outages due to bad connections. In extreme cases, flooding may also damage power lines, eliminating access altogether.
Electrical Interference
Electrical devices such as cell phone chargers, printers, copiers, fluorescent lights, air conditioners, and microwave ovens all generate electromagnetic radiation, which, when within a certain distance, can interfere with the signals sent to and from a wireless router.
As these are often the busiest times of day in the household as people are home from work and school and using many of these devices, interference can become stronger at night and disrupt your internet connection. Contact Cox TV Internet and Phone to help identify the cause of the problem and provide the best solution.
The Bottom Line: Why Does My Internet Keep Going Out at Night?
As you can see, there are numerous reasons why does my internet keep going out at night. It can be difficult to pinpoint the issue and fix it without assistance. It’s important to contact your mobile service provider if you’re having trouble with a consistent. Did you enjoy this post? There are plenty more on our blog.
