Internet Goes Out Every Night At The Same Time? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Emily Carr
by Emily Carr

The Internet plays such a pivotal role in our everyday lives. One of the biggest modern inconveniences is when it stops working. Why does your Internet go out every night at the same time, and what can you do to fix it?

If the Internet goes out every night at the same time, it’s likely due to too many network users. Other contributors include signal interference, a bad router position, worn cables, or a weak Internet plan. To remedy this, contact your ISP to upgrade your plan or try moving your router to a less congested area.

Whether you’re at home or in the office for work, being unable to access the Internet can be incredibly frustrating. If you’re having trouble connecting, there are a few things you can do.

In this article, we’ll discuss why your Internet drops at the same time each night and the best solutions to every problem!

Need Wiring Installation or Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Why Does My Internet Go Out Every Night at the Same Time?

When the Internet is down, it can be a total nightmare. Trying to get anything done is almost impossible when you can’t even access the basics like Google or Facebook. So what’s the deal?

Here are the 6 most common reasons why your Internet goes out every night at the same time:

  • Too many users
  • Signal interference
  • Worn cables
  • Bad router position
  • Internet plan isn’t strong enough
  • Internet Service Provider is performing maintenance

Reason #1: Too Many Users

One of the most common causes for a complete Internet shutdown at the same time every night is that there are too many people using it.

Many users in a specific area can cause extreme strain on your provider’s network, which, in turn, will result in your entire neighborhood going offline.

Peak times, such as after work hours (5 pm and later), are often the busiest time of day. People are just arriving home and are jumping on their devices to check the social media they’ve been missing out on.

How to Fix It

Fixing this can be tricky.

While there’s nothing you can do about the excessive traffic, you can disconnect other devices in your household from WiFi that may not be in use. That way, you can do your part to limit traffic during later hours of the day.

Additionally, consider speaking to your Internet Service Provider. The company may be able to provide additional suggestions.

Unless you have urgent work to do that requires the Internet, you may just need to avoid using it for the 15-30 minutes that it crashes.

Reason #2: Signal Interference

Signal interference is a big problem for many people. There are a few different things that can cause interference and make your Internet go out every night at the same time.

Your neighbor’s WiFi could be spilling over into yours and causing some serious connection problems. Other devices in your house, like microwaves and baby monitors, can also create interference.

Let’s talk about how to fix this.

How to Fix It

Make sure your router is close to the device that’s trying to use the Internet (i.e., if the router is located downstairs, try using your laptop in the kitchen instead of your office).

Avoid using your microwave or other electronics during this time. This will help your connection remain strong.

Reason #3: Worn Cables

It’s not just your WiFi that can cause problems with your connection. Any wired connection in your house can malfunction and contribute to an overall degradation of service for everyone on your network.

Frayed or broken cables can cause major problems with your Internet. This can be extremely frustrating, especially because these issues are often hidden beneath your TV console or other hard-to-reach areas of your home.

It’s important to check the integrity of all cable cords from time to time.

How to Fix It

Inspect all cables for damage- this includes router cables, HDMI cords, and power wires.

If you see any form of impairment, it’s time to replace your cables. Usually, you can find a compatible line on Amazon for around $20 or less.

It’s important to select a cord with enough length to reach the outlet, but that’s not too long that the energy source is diluted.

Reason #4: Bad Router Position

Routers allow all of your devices to use the Internet at the same time; therefore, position is everything. Your Internet may crash every night if your router is in the wrong place.

If you position your router in an area that’s obstructed by walls, the signal won’t be able to reach far enough to cover your home.

Think about how many rooms are on each floor of your house- most homes have at least 2 floors. If you have a router on the first floor, every device upstairs may not be able to maintain connection when there’s heavy traffic.

How to Fix It

Get creative with where you setup your router.

For example, instead of placing it on the ground below your TV console, try setting it on top of a table so that it’s elevated. This allows the signal to reach past any sort of obstacle.

Additionally, consider getting a WiFi extender for larger homes. This device will enable your farther-away electronics to reach connection more easily.

Reason #5: Internet Plan Isn’t Strong Enough

Occasionally, your ISP plan just doesn’t cut it.

It’s possible that you’re paying for a low-tier plan that can’t handle much traffic. And when everyone in your house is trying to use the Internet at the same time, it causes the network to become overloaded and crash at night.

How to Fix It

The easiest solution (although it may not be the cheapest) is to upgrade your Internet plan.

Talk with your ISP about the possibility of faster broadband speeds for your home. The company may have solutions that could improve performance while also limiting costs.

Reason #6: Internet Service Provider Is Performing Maintenance

This reason is far less common, but maybe your ISP is performing routine maintenance, which is causing the Internet outage.

It’s unlikely that a provider would be doing firmware updates every single night at the same time, but it’s still possible. Typically, they give some type of warning to customers before doing this.

How to Fix It

Contact your Internet Service Provider to see what’s going on.

If they’re doing some sort of maintenance, ask when it will be completed. If it’s a firmware update, you may need to wait until the next day for the problem to be resolved.

If neither of these is the case, the best thing you can do is a simple power cycle on both your router and modem to ensure everything is firing on all cylinders!


Related Questions

How does my Internet speed compare?

Want to see how your internet speed is stacking up to others’?First, run a speed test on your network by googling “internet speed test.” Then, visit the Speed Test Global Index website to see how your Internet compares across the globe.They even have countries like Spain and Dubai to look at!


What’s the best way to make my Internet faster?

In some cases, the best way to make your Internet faster is to use an Ethernet cable.While outdated, an Ethernet connection is much faster and more reliable than WiFi. You can usually purchase a cable at a local tech store or online from Amazon.Additionally, you can try to move your router to a better position in your home or invest in a WiFi extender.


Why is there a “Privacy Warning” on my WiFi?

A privacy warning usually indicates that your device’s address is not being protected, and the network is able to see your computer or phone and track it.The easiest way to fix this is to:

  • Go to “Settings” on your device and click “WiFi.”
  • Find your WiFi network and click the blue “i’ symbol next to it.
  • Scroll down to “Private Address” and toggle that feature on.

Afterward, you should be able to reconnect to your network, and the privacy notification will be gone!

Need Wiring Installation or Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

To Sum It Up

It’s possible that the reason your Internet goes out every night at the same time is because of a lack of WiFi signal or an insufficient plan. As we mentioned before, it may be time to upgrade your Internet package and add some extenders for more coverage.

Other problems include anything from routine maintenance on your Internet Service Provider’s end to a network overload due to too many devices trying to go online at once.

Some issues are just simply the result of being in bad proximity to your router, so try moving it closer and out of the way of obstructions!

Whatever the complication might be for you, check out some of the solutions listed above to fix the problem. If nothing seems to work, reach out to your service provider to see if they can help further diagnose the issue.

Related Guide

Emily Carr
Emily Carr

Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.

More by Emily Carr

Next