How to compare two routers for brief disconnects

Your internet drops for a few seconds, then comes back before you can run a usual speed test. You want to know whether one router handles the connection better, but changing routers can also change Wi-Fi coverage, settings, and even the cables in use.

Use the Connection Stability test on the same device and in the same place for each router. It measures response time, jitter, lost requests, and dropouts over a few minutes. A careful comparison can show whether one setup is more reliable, though it cannot prove by itself that the router caused every interruption.

Compare the routers fairly

Open the Connection Stability test on a computer or phone connected to the first router. Keep the test device, room, and browser the same for both runs.
Run the test for a few minutes while using the network normally, or while it is quiet if you want to compare the routers without other traffic. Note the response time, jitter, lost requests, and any dropouts.
Connect the same device to the second router and repeat the test in the same place, at a similar time, and under the same network conditions. If you can, use the same Wi-Fi band on both routers, such as 5 GHz, rather than comparing 2.4 GHz on one with 5 GHz on the other.
Repeat each run at least once. Brief faults can be intermittent, so one clean test does not establish that a router is reliable.

For a useful comparison, both routers should use the same internet service and modem or gateway, with the same type of connection from the modem to the router. If the routers are also modems, or you are comparing different internet providers, the test compares the whole connection rather than just the routers.

What the result means

One router repeatedly loses requests

If lost requests or dropouts show up on one router in repeated runs but not the other, that setup is less reliable under the conditions you tested. The cause could be the router, its placement, its settings, or its cable. Repeat the comparison with the routers in the same location and with the same wired connection to the modem before deciding the router itself is faulty.

Both routers show similar dropouts

A shared problem is more likely than a fault unique to one router. The modem, internet service, test device, or local interference could be involved. If other devices also lose internet at the same time, that is stronger evidence of a connection-wide problem than a single browser test alone.

There are no lost requests, but response time or jitter jumps

The connection is responding, but its timing varies. Jitter means changes in response time. Short spikes can affect calls and games without fully disconnecting your device. Compare repeated runs, and note whether the spikes happen during downloads, streaming, or other busy network use.

The results vary from one run to the next

That may mean the problem is intermittent, or that conditions changed between tests. A neighbor's Wi-Fi, a download, or a device moving between bands can affect wireless performance. Keep the comparison consistent and write down when each run happened and what else was using the network.

How to narrow down the cause

Pause other network activity. Stop large downloads, cloud backups, and video streams while you make a baseline comparison. Then repeat a run during normal household use if the disconnects usually happen when the network is busy.
Check which Wi-Fi network you joined. Make sure the device is connected to the router being tested, not a saved network from the other router or a range extender. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi. On macOS, open System Settings › Wi-Fi. Confirm the connected network before each run.
Compare from the same spot. Put the router in the same location for each test, with the same walls and obstacles between it and your device. If you move the router to compare coverage, treat that as a separate test, because placement can change the result as much as the hardware.
Check the modem-to-router cable. Use the same cable and modem port for both routers, and make sure the cable is seated firmly in the router's internet or WAN port. A loose or damaged cable can cause brief interruptions that look like a router problem.
Try a wired connection as a control. If your computer has Ethernet, connect it to the router and run the stability test again. If wired results are steady but Wi-Fi drops, focus on wireless coverage, interference, or router Wi-Fi settings. If wired and wireless both drop, the modem, router, or internet service is still in question.
Restart one device at a time. Restart the router being tested, then repeat the run. If the problem remains, follow your internet provider's instructions for restarting its modem or gateway. Avoid changing router settings or updating firmware between the two comparison runs, since that makes the results harder to compare.
Check for recurring events. If a router has an app or event log, look for restarts or internet-link interruptions at the times you recorded. Check its manufacturer's instructions for the correct way to view logs or update firmware, and change one thing at a time.

When the router may be the problem

A router becomes a stronger suspect if the same device, cable, location, modem, and internet service repeatedly show dropouts on that router but not the other. The case is stronger if wired devices also lose connection through it, or if its lights show that it is restarting or losing its internet link.

Before replacing it, check whether its power adapter is secure and whether it is overheating or restarting unexpectedly. If the problem follows the router after those checks, contact the manufacturer or seller if it is under warranty. For an older or unreliable router, replacement may be more practical than repair.

What a browser test can and cannot show

Connection Stability checks how requests from your device reach the test service. It does not measure the router's Wi-Fi signal strength in dBm, inspect every device on your network, or identify exactly where a lost request disappeared. A dropout could be caused by the wireless link, router, modem, internet provider, or the route to the test service.

Use the test to compare repeatable results, then pair those results with what your devices do at the same time. If only one device disconnects while others stay online, check that device's Wi-Fi settings before blaming the router.