How to test a connection after changing routers

You changed your router, but now video calls pause, pages take longer to load, or your connection drops for a few seconds. The new router may be involved, but the issue could also be Wi-Fi coverage, a device setting, or your internet provider.

Use the Connection Stability test to watch response time, jitter, lost requests, and dropouts over a few minutes. A careful comparison can show whether the problem follows the new router, a particular device, or the internet connection beyond your home.

Test the connection after the router change

1. Choose one device to test, and keep it in the same place for each run. Pause downloads, cloud backups, and video streams on your other devices so they do not add extra network traffic.
2. Open the Connection Stability test while connected to the new router's Wi-Fi. Start the test and let it run for a few minutes.
3. Note the response time, jitter, lost requests, and any dropouts. If you can, run the test again at a time when you notice the problem.
4. If possible, connect the same computer to the router with an Ethernet cable and repeat the test. Keep the device and other conditions as similar as you can.
5. Test a second device in the same spot. If it has the same problem, the router or internet connection is more likely involved. If only one device does, check that device's connection settings.

If you still have the old router, you can repeat the test with it using the same device, location, and connection type. A close match in conditions makes the comparison more useful. If the old router is gone, compare Wi-Fi with Ethernet, or compare the affected device with another one.

What the result means

Stable results on Wi-Fi and Ethernet

Response time stays fairly even, jitter is low, and there are no lost requests or dropouts. The connection looks stable during this test. If a specific app still fails, check its settings and the service it connects to. A short test cannot rule out a problem that happens only at a particular time or under heavy use.

Wi-Fi is unstable, but Ethernet is steady

The internet connection is probably reaching the router reliably, but the wireless link may be weak or affected by interference. Try testing closer to the router, then compare the result with the original location. A clear improvement nearby points toward coverage, placement, or interference rather than a general internet outage.

Wi-Fi and Ethernet both show drops

The problem may be in the router, its connection to the modem or fiber terminal, or the internet provider's service. Check the router's connection lights and cables, then repeat the test. If all devices show similar drops at the same time, the router or the service upstream is more likely than one device's Wi-Fi.

Only one device has poor results

Look at that device's Wi-Fi connection, saved network, and power-saving settings. Forgetting the network and reconnecting can help if the device kept old connection details. A device-specific result does not prove the router is fault-free, but it is a useful reason to check the device before changing router settings.

Response time rises, but requests are not lost

The connection is responding more slowly, but the test did not see complete dropouts. A busy network, a distant server, or an internet provider route can add delay. Compare again when other devices are idle. The test measures the connection to its test server, so it cannot isolate every link between your device and a particular website.

How to fix it

1. Check the router and modem cables. Make sure the internet cable is firmly connected to the router's WAN or Internet port, and that the modem or fiber terminal is powered. Use the port and cable instructions supplied with your equipment.
2. Reconnect the affected device to Wi-Fi. Turn Wi-Fi off and back on, then reconnect to the new network. On Windows 11, open Settings › Network & internet › Wi-Fi. On macOS, open System Settings › Wi-Fi. On iPhone, open Settings › Wi-Fi; on Android, open Settings › Network & internet › Internet (the wording can vary by model).
3. Restart the router and modem. Use the manufacturer's restart instructions. If there is a separate modem or fiber terminal, restart it too, and wait until its connection lights settle before testing again.
4. Move the router to a more open spot. Place it away from the floor, enclosed cabinets, and large metal objects. Test in the room where the connection was unreliable. A better result closer to the router suggests a coverage issue.
5. Check router settings and updates. Use the router maker's instructions to check for a firmware update and confirm that Wi-Fi is enabled. If you changed advanced settings during setup, review them against the provider's or router maker's recommended configuration before resetting anything.
6. Compare another device and a wired connection. If only one device struggles, update its operating system and reconnect to Wi-Fi. If several devices also fail over Ethernet, contact your internet provider or router maker with the test times and results.

When the router may be at fault

The router becomes a stronger suspect if several devices have dropouts on both Wi-Fi and Ethernet, the old router worked reliably under similar conditions, or the new router repeatedly loses its internet connection after a restart. Check for a known outage with your provider before replacing equipment. If the router is new and the issue continues after setup checks, ask the seller or manufacturer about support or a return.

Why one test cannot identify the exact cause

Connection Stability checks requests between your browser and a server over the internet. It does not measure Wi-Fi signal strength in dBm, inspect every router setting, or prove that the router itself is defective. Use the comparison to narrow down where the change appears, then confirm it with another device, an Ethernet run, or a repeat test at the time the problem happens.