How can I tell whether my Wi-Fi card, router, or modem is failing?

Start by checking whether the problem affects one device or every device in the house. If your phone, laptop, and other devices are all slow or disconnecting, the issue is more likely the router, modem, or ISP. If only your computer is affected, focus on its Wi-Fi adapter, drivers, signal, or operating system.

Try the basics before buying replacement hardware: unplug the modem and router for about 30 seconds, reconnect them, forget and rejoin the Wi-Fi network, and restart the computer. Update or reinstall the Wi-Fi adapter driver as well. Also check for a service outage and test the computer with Ethernet if possible. If Ethernet works normally but Wi-Fi does not, that points toward the wireless side rather than the modem or ISP.

You can also use Command Prompt with a command such as `tracert google.com`, but treat it as a general clue rather than definitive proof. A high or unstable delay to the first hop suggests a local connection problem, while problems farther along may point toward the router, modem, or ISP. Wi-Fi cards, routers, and modems often fail completely rather than gradually degrading, so isolate the problem first instead of replacing parts at random.

Run a speed test on your phone in the same room as the computer and compare it with the computer’s result. If the phone gets normal speeds while the computer performs badly, the computer’s Wi-Fi card, driver, antenna placement, or local interference is more likely. If every device is slow, test a wired connection directly to the router or modem to separate an ISP/modem problem from a router or Wi-Fi problem.