Connection drops after router overheating: how to test

Your Wi-Fi keeps dropping after the router got hot, or the connection pauses for a few seconds and then comes back. Heat can make a router unstable, but the same symptoms can come from weak Wi-Fi, a modem, or your internet provider.

Use the Connection Stability test to catch dropouts, then compare the result on Wi-Fi and, if possible, a wired connection. That helps you narrow down which part of the connection needs attention.

Test the connection after the router gets hot

Open Connection Stability on a device connected to the affected network. Run the test for a few minutes while the problem is happening, and note when any dropouts occur. If the router is extremely hot, smells burnt, or is shutting itself off, stop testing and unplug it if you can do so safely.
Check whether another device loses its connection at the same time. If several devices drop together, the router, modem, or internet connection is more likely to be involved than one device.
Move close to the router and repeat the test over Wi-Fi. If you can, connect a computer to the router with an Ethernet cable and test again. A wired comparison helps separate a Wi-Fi problem from a wider internet interruption.
Let the router cool in an open, ventilated place, then repeat the same test under similar conditions. Note whether the drops stop, and whether they return after the router has been running for a while.

Connection Stability reports response time, jitter, lost requests, and dropouts. Keep other conditions as similar as possible when comparing tests. A large download, a video stream, or a change in the number of people using the network can affect the results.

What the result means

The test records lost requests or dropouts

The connection between your device and the test service was interrupted or delayed enough for requests to fail. That confirms a connection problem during the test, but it cannot tell by itself whether the cause was Wi-Fi, the router, the modem, or your provider. Compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet, or test another device at the same time.

Response time jumps or jitter rises, but requests are not lost

The connection is still responding, but its delay is changing. Heat may be affecting the router, but busy network traffic or a weak Wi-Fi signal can also cause this pattern. Repeat the test close to the router, and compare it with a wired result if available.

Wi-Fi drops, but Ethernet stays stable

The internet connection is reaching the router, while the wireless connection is the likely trouble spot. The router's Wi-Fi radio may be affected by heat, or the signal may be weak where you are testing. Check whether the Wi-Fi name disappears, or whether your device stays connected to Wi-Fi but loses internet access.

Both Wi-Fi and Ethernet drop together

The problem is less likely to be limited to wireless signal. The router, modem, its power supply, or the provider's connection may be involved. Check whether the modem or router lights change when the interruption happens, and look for a restart or connection event in the router's app or status page if one is available.

The test is stable after cooling

That is evidence that heat may be connected to the drops, especially if the problem returns as the router warms up. It is not proof of a failed router: traffic levels and provider interruptions can change between tests. Repeat the comparison before deciding what to replace.

How to fix it

Give the router more airflow. Put it on a hard, open surface, away from direct sunlight, heaters, and other warm electronics. Do not cover it or place it inside a closed cabinet. Keep the vents clear, and do not open the router's case.
Check whether the problem is only on one device. Reconnect that device to Wi-Fi and test again. On Windows 11, check Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi. On a Mac, check System Settings › Network › Wi-Fi. On an iPhone, check Settings › Wi-Fi. Android menu names vary, but start at Settings › Network & internet or Settings › Connections.
Restart the modem and router once. If they are separate devices, turn them off and wait about 30 seconds. Turn the modem on first and wait for its connection lights to settle, then turn on the router. Give the network a few minutes to come back before testing. Repeated power cycling is not a lasting fix.
Compare Wi-Fi with a cable. Connect a computer directly to a router LAN port using Ethernet, then run Connection Stability again. If wired testing is steady but Wi-Fi is not, focus on the router's wireless connection, placement, or wireless settings. On Windows 11, the wired connection appears under Settings › Network & internet › Ethernet. On a Mac, look under System Settings › Network.
Check for a router update. Use the router manufacturer's app or its official settings page to check for firmware updates. The exact menu varies by model. Do not interrupt power while an update is installing.
Contact your provider or the router maker if drops continue. Share the times of the dropouts, whether Ethernet was affected, and whether cooling changed the result. Ask your provider to check the line and modem if both wired and wireless devices lose service.

When the router may need repair or replacement

If the router repeatedly disconnects when it becomes warm, restarts without you touching it, or fails on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, its power adapter or internal hardware may be failing. A router that is unusually hot, has a burning smell, or shows signs of damage should not be kept in use. Contact the manufacturer if it is under warranty. Otherwise, ask your provider whether it can replace the equipment, or replace the router with a compatible model.

What this test cannot tell you

A browser can measure how the connection behaves, but it cannot read the router's internal temperature or identify a damaged component. Wi-Fi signal bars also do not show whether the internet connection is dropping. Use the wired comparison and the router's lights or event history to narrow down the cause, then ask your provider or the device maker to check what the browser cannot see.