There’s probably a new router in the neighborhood, and it’s causing interference. If that’s the case, you may be able to take care of the problem the same way you would fix a bad TV show: by changing the channel. But this time, the channel is on your router.
Most routers come with three channels: 1, 6, and 11. Change the one on your router, and the problem will very likely go away.
I can’t tell you exactly how to do this because it varies from one router to another. Check your router’s manual for instructions.
If that doesn’t work, ask yourself if anything has changed in your home recently? A new washing machine or microwave could be the cause. I’ve even heard of a new bookshelf full of CDs causing interference. Rearranging the furniture may be in order.
If none of these pan out, or if you just don’t want to move your furniture, there are a number of gadgets available that can expand your own network’s WiFi range. See Fix Your Wi-Fi: Free Tweaks and Major Overhauls for suggestions.
My thanks to LiveBrianD for his contribution to the original forum discussion.
Contributing Editor Lincoln Spector writes about technology and cinema. Email your tech questions to him at answer@pcworld.com, or post them to a community of helpful folks on the PCW Answer Line forum. Follow Lincoln on Twitter.