A situation where only one device successfully connects to a home wireless network, while others persistently display the "Unable to connect" error or are stuck in the "Obtaining IP address" status, can be frustrating for any user. This is a classic failure scenario. router, which stops distributing resources correctly between clients. Most often, the problem lies not in physical damage to the antennas, but in a software conflict or exhaustion of the available address pool.
There are several fundamental reasons for this behavior of the equipment: from a banal overflow of the DHCP table to incorrect security settings WPA2/WPA3, which block reconnections. Understanding the nature of the error is half the solution, as rebooting the router doesn't always help, but only temporarily masks the symptom.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at diagnostic algorithms that will help you identify bottlenecks in your configuration. We'll examine both the router's software settings and the network adapter settings on connected devices so you can restore full internet access to all your devices.
DHCP address pool exhaustion and IP conflicts
The most likely reason why a new device cannot connect to the network while one is busy is IP address conflict or the end of the range of distributed addresses. Protocol DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns a unique identifier to each connected device. If the router settings are set to a too narrow range, for example, from 192.168.0.100 to 192.168.0.101, a third device simply won't have enough "number."
It often happens that one device gets stuck on a network with a reserved address, even though it's physically been turned off or moved out of range. The router "thinks" the address is occupied and refuses to assign it to a new client, or assigns a conflicting address, resulting in a disconnect for both parties.
⚠️ Attention: Manually assigned static IP addresses on phones or laptops often cause network failure. If you previously assigned a static IP address to a printer or camera, ensure that this address is not in the automatic DHCP range.
To resolve this issue, you need to log into the router's web interface and expand the address pool. The default range is usually 254 addresses, but sometimes providers or previous setup managers have narrowed it to the minimum. It's also helpful to check the list of leased addresses (DHCP Client List) and cleanse it of “dead souls”.
How do I find my router's address to access its settings?
The default address is usually found on a sticker on the bottom of the device. Typically, it's 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.31.1. Enter it into your browser's address bar.
Connection limits in firmware
Not all users are aware that budget router models and some provider firmware versions have an artificial limit on the number of simultaneous connections. This is done to conserve CPU and RAM resources. If your router is designed for 10 clients, the eleventh will simply be unable to log in, even if the internet connection is empty.
This is especially common with devices leased from providers. Such models often have limited functionality, with the limit being only 3-5 devices. While modern standards Wi-Fi 6 assume the operation of dozens of gadgets simultaneously.
You can check the current limit in the wireless network section (Wireless Settings). If you see the parameter Max Clients or similar, make sure it is set to the highest possible value or "Unlimited" (Unlimited).
Problems with frequency range and channel width
Modern routers operate in two ranges: 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is heavily congested in apartment buildings, and if there are too many neighbors on the channel, the router may block new connections due to high noise levels and collisions. The device will attempt to connect, but data packets will be lost.
Channel width also plays a critical role. Setting channel width 40 MHz or 80 MHz in noisy airwaves often leads to instability. It's better to force it 20 MHz For the 2.4 GHz band, this will reduce the speed, but will dramatically increase stability and the number of connected devices.
There is also the issue of incompatibility of security standards. If you have mixed security mode enabled (WPA/WPA2 Mixed), some old devices can block the work of new ones, taking up all the airtime with their requests in an outdated protocol.
Incorrect client network adapter settings
Sometimes the problem isn't with the router, but with the device itself, which is attempting to connect second. The network adapter on your smartphone or laptop may have "remembered" incorrect network settings. In this case, completely deleting the network profile helps (Forget Network) and re-enter the password.
It's also worth checking your power saving settings. In Windows, for example, the system may disable the adapter to save power, which causes the connection to drop immediately after attempting to connect. On Android, "smart" memory managers can perform a similar function.
Resetting the network settings on the client device often works wonders. This will flush the DNS cache, reset the TCP/IP stack, and delete all saved Wi-Fi profiles, returning the adapter to its factory defaults.
☑️ What to do if your phone connection fails
Comparison of causes and solutions
To quickly navigate potential issues, we've compiled a summary table. It will help you quickly identify the error type based on its symptoms and choose the right course of action.
| Symptom of error | Probable cause | Solution method | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Getting an IP address"... | DHCP Conflict / Pool Out | Extend the DHCP range in the router | Low |
| "Unable to connect" | Incorrect password / Encryption type | Check security type (WPA2) | Low |
| It connects, but there is no internet. | MAC Filtering / Client Limit | Check MAC address whitelist | Average |
| It sees the network, but doesn't let it in. | 2.4 GHz channel congestion | Change the channel or switch to 5 GHz | Average |
Pay attention to the "Difficulty" column. If you're unsure about your router settings, it's best to use the automatic optimization feature, if available from the manufacturer, or contact your ISP.
MAC filtering and hidden security settings
One of the most insidious reasons for blocking is the enabled filtering MAC addressesThis is a security feature that allows access only to pre-approved devices. If you buy a new phone or laptop but haven't added its unique MAC address to the router's approved list, the connection will be blocked immediately.
You can check this in the section Wireless MAC FilteringIf the feature is active, you will need to find the MAC address of the new device (usually in the About Phone -> Status section or ifconfig / ipconfig on PC) and add it to the list.
⚠️ Attention: The Wi-Fi and Ethernet MAC addresses are always different on the same device! Make sure you copy the wireless adapter's MAC address, not the wired one.
Also worth mentioning is the feature AP Isolation (Access Point Isolation). Although it's more commonly used in public networks to prevent data exchange between clients, it can be accidentally enabled in some home routers, leading to strange network behavior where devices "see" the router but are unable to fully operate on the local network.
Hardware limitations and overheating
The router's physical condition also matters. If the device has been running for years without being turned off, its RAM may be full of errors, and its processor may overheat. Throttling (reduced frequency due to heat) can physically prevent the router from processing new connections.
Attempting to connect a second device creates additional CPU load. If resources are exhausted, the request is simply dropped. In such cases, a full reboot with a 10-15 second power outage helps.
If the problem recurs regularly after a certain period of operation, it may be time to update the firmware (Firmware Update) or replace the router itself with a more powerful model that supports the standards MIMO and modern security protocols.
How often should I reboot my router?
Experts recommend performing a full reboot (without powering off) at least once a week. This clears the cache and resets frozen processes.
Why does the router say "Obtaining IP address" and then reset?
This is a classic sign that the router's DHCP server is unresponsive or its address pool is exhausted. It could also be caused by antivirus software on your computer blocking DHCP requests, or by incorrectly set date and time on the router (affecting security certificates).
Can a virus on one device block Wi-Fi for others?
Yes, if a device is infected with a virus that creates a network flood, it can consume 100% of the router's bandwidth or CPU, preventing other devices from connecting. Scan your devices with an antivirus program.
Does the internet speed from the provider affect the number of connections?
The bandwidth (tariff) itself doesn't directly limit the number of devices. However, if one device starts downloading torrents and saturates the bandwidth, other devices may not be able to complete the authorization process due to timeouts.
What should I do if the problem persists after resetting the router?
If reset to factory settings (Reset) didn't help, the problem could be hardware (failed Wi-Fi module) or caused by external factors (strong interference from neighbors, microwave ovens, base stations). Try changing the channel manually.
How do I check how many devices are currently connected to my Wi-Fi?
Access your router settings via a browser. A list of active clients is usually displayed on the main page or in the "Status" / "Network Map" section. There are also mobile apps from the router manufacturer (Keenetic, TP-Link Tether, Mi Wi-Fi) that display this information in real time.