Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting (weak signal, -80 dBm) Networking Origin: Network OSI layer 1 · Physical Last updated 5 Nov 2026

Networking: Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting / signal -80 dBm / wlan0: deauthenticating by local choice (reason=3)

The wireless link is too weak or too noisy to hold, so the client drops and rejoins repeatedly.

Exact message you may see Wi-Fi keeps disconnectingwlan0: deauthenticating by local choice (reason=3)wlan0: disconnected from the access point reason 4Wi-Fi connected but signal -80 dBmWireless network disconnects randomly
Explore the map of this error Full error map →
Seen on: Linux Windows Networking

Meaning

Signal below about -70 dBm or heavy interference causes retries and disconnects. Move closer or add an access point, switch to 5 GHz or a clear channel (1/6/11 on 2.4 GHz), and update the driver; power saving on the adapter and roaming thresholds can also cause drops.

Common causes

  • Distance, walls or metal between client and access point
  • Channel congestion from neighbouring networks
  • Microwave, Bluetooth or other 2.4 GHz interference
  • Adapter power-saving or old driver
  • Aggressive roaming between access points

⚡ Quick fix

  1. Move closer or add an access point
  2. Pick a less crowded channel / use 5 GHz
  3. Disable adapter power saving and update the driver

Detailed fix by platform

Linux

  1. iw dev wlan0 link && iw dev wlan0 station dump | grep -E "signal|tx retries"

How to diagnose

  1. Signal — Better than -70 dBm?
  2. Channel — Not crowded?
  3. Power saving — Off?

🔧 Still not fixed?

Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:

Where this error sits

Origin: Network. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):

4-way handshake timeout / Incorrect password — Networking: wlan0: WPA: 4-way handshake failed - pre-shared key may be incorrect / WRONG_KEY (Networking)4-way handshake timeo…arp -a shows (incomplete) — Networking: `arp -n` shows (incomplete) / Destination Host Unreachable — no ARP reply from the next hop (Networking)arp -a shows (incompl…Cannot assign requested address (EADDRNOTAVAIL) — Networking: connect: Cannot assign requested address — ephemeral port range exhausted by TIME_WAIT connections (Networking)Cannot assign request…captive portal — Browser: This network requires you to sign in — captive portal (hotel, airport, café Wi-Fi) blocking HTTPS sites (Browser)captive portalERR_NETWORK_CHANGED — Chrome: Your connection was interrupted — A network change was detected. ERR_NETWORK_CHANGED (Browser)ERR_NETWORK_CHANGEDHigh TCP retransmissions / packet loss — Networking: netstat -s: segments retransmitted / Wireshark: TCP Retransmission, TCP Dup ACK — packet loss on the path (Networking)High TCP retransmissi…No Wi-Fi adapter found / Wi-Fi option missing — Networking: No Wi-Fi networks found — the Wi-Fi adapter is missing, disabled or its driver failed (Networking)No Wi-Fi adapter foun…Port forwarding not working (CGNAT / double NAT) — Networking: Port forwarding configured but the port stays closed — carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT) or double NAT (Networking)Port forwarding not w…Wi-Fi kee…

Explore the map of this error Full error map →

🧠 Still stuck? Analyze your error

Paste the full message, response headers or stack trace — we'll detect the platform and point to the most likely cause.

💬 What worked for others

No tips yet — did something else fix this for you?

Share what worked for you

Tips are checked by an editor before they appear. Links are removed.