Good news: most “Wi‑Fi problems” are either placement, a weak password choice, or one wrong cable between the modem and router. Fix the basics first.

Before you start (2 minutes)

  • Write down your ISP name (Rogers, Bell, Telus, Shaw, Videotron, etc.).
  • Find the labels on your devices: modem, router, or a combined gateway.
  • Have an Ethernet cable ready if possible.

Modem vs router (plain English)

Your modem connects your home to your ISP. Your router creates your local network (Wi‑Fi) inside the home. Some ISPs give a single box that does both.

If you’re unsure, read Tech terms for beginners first and come back.

Best placement in a condo or basement suite

  • Put the router as central as possible, not hidden behind the TV or inside a cabinet.
  • Keep it away from thick concrete and large metal surfaces.
  • If you have two floors, place it on the upper floor near the stairs (signal travels down better than sideways through reinforced walls).

Setup checklist (do this in order)

  1. Power off the modem and router for 20 seconds.
  2. Connect the modem to the wall (coax/fibre/phone line depending on your service).
  3. Connect modem → router using Ethernet (modem LAN port to router WAN/Internet port).
  4. Power on the modem first. Wait until it’s stable (usually a steady “online” light).
  5. Power on the router. Wait 2–3 minutes.
  6. Connect your phone to the default Wi‑Fi name on the sticker, then open the router’s setup page or companion app.

Name your Wi‑Fi and set a strong password

Choose a network name you recognize quickly, like MapleHome or Suite-2B. Avoid personal data like your full name.

For the password, use a long phrase. A simple approach:

  • 4–5 random words + a number, for example: river-quiet-cabin-12-hockey
  • Don’t reuse a password you use for email or banking.

For more safety habits, see Safer browsing basics and the Government of Canada’s Get Cyber Safe guidance.

When the signal drops (fast troubleshooting)

Use the “one change at a time” rule. Otherwise you won’t know what fixed it.

  1. Check if it’s only one device (phone works, laptop doesn’t). If yes, restart just that device first.
  2. Check if it’s only one room. If yes, it’s usually placement or walls.
  3. Restart router and modem (modem first, then router).
  4. If your router supports two bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), try the other one. 2.4 GHz travels farther; 5 GHz is faster near the router.
  5. If nothing changes, look at your ISP’s outage page or app.

What to do next