If You Want to Disconnect Your Wi-Fi, Here's How (2024)

This article explains how to turn off Wi-Fi and why you might want to turn it off. Instructions apply to Windows and Mac computers, Android and iOS smartphones, and routers.

How to Turn Wi-Fi Off on Computers

In Windows 10 and earlier, disable Wi-Fi through Control Panel. Another option is to turn off Wi-Fi from the Windows taskbar. Select the Wi-Fi icon and then select Wi-Fi to disable it.

Laptops sometimes have a physical Wi-Fi switch on the front or side that, if turned to the off position, physically shuts off the Wi-Fi antenna, which is the same as disabling Wi-Fi through Control Panel. Move the switch to the On position to turn Wi-Fi back on.

To turn off Wi-Fi on macOS, go to the menu bar, click the wireless icon, then choose Turn Wi-Fi Off.

Some computers have the option to turn off Wi-Fi with a key combination. Look for a key with a wireless icon, then press either the Fn or Shift key and the wireless key to turn the Wi-Fi connection on and off.

How to Turn Wi-Fi Off on Phones

Smartphones provide a software switch in the Settings app that turns Wi-Fi off. For example, on the iPhone, this is inSettings > Wi-Fi. If you use a different phone or tablet, go to the Settings and look for a similar menu that saysWireless Networks, Network Connections, or Network & internet.

For example, on Android 12 devices, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet and tap the Wi-Fi switch to turn it off.

How to Turn Off Wi-Fi From a Router

Disabling Wi-Fi from awireless home router may not be as simpleas doing so from a phone or computer.Some routers have a physical button that turns off the Wi-Fi. If your router does, press it to shut down the wireless signal immediately.

If that's not how your router is built, access your router's administrative console to turn off Wi-Fi. The process isn't the same for every router. For example, on some Comtrend routers, go toAdvanced Setup > Wireless > Basicand turn off the Enable Wireless toggle switch. On many Linksys routers,disable Wi-Fi as part of the Wireless Basic Settings by changing the Wireless Network Mode to OFF.

If your router lacks a built-in feature to turn off Wi-Fi, fully powering down the unit will turn off Wi-Fi. Shutting down the router disables any non-Wi-Fi functionality such as the wired connections.

Remove Adapters and Antennas to Disable Wi-Fi

If acomputer uses a detachable Wi-Fi adapter (such as a USB stick), removing it disables its Wi-Fi radios. Follow the operating system'srecommended procedures for detachingthese adapters. Improper removal can cause data loss.

Some wireless routers feature external, detachable antennas. Removing these antennas hinders the ability of the router to use Wi-Fi but does not stop Wi-Fi signal transmission.

Turn Down the Wi-Fi Power

Many adapters and some routers have advanced configurationoptions to control the transmitter power of the Wi-Fi radios. This feature allows administrators to adjust a network's wireless signal range (often used to reduce power and signal strength when installed in small spaces).

If your router does not support turning off wireless, change the transmit (often called Tx) power to 0 to effectively disable Wi-Fi.

Decide Why You Want to Turn Off Wi-Fi

Before you turn off your Wi-Fi, decide why you want to turn it off. Reasons to turn off Wi-Fi include the cost and affordability of the service, the need for a Wi-Fi connection, or the security issues with a Wi-Fi connection. You may not need to disable your Wi-Fi; hiding it from others could solve the problem.

You could also turn off Wi-Fi to troubleshoot if there's an issue with your network, like when a website won't load. Another reason is if the available bandwidth on the Wi-Fi network is affected by the number of devices using it. Disabling Wi-Fi, in this case, could make not only your device faster but also the devices that are currently using the Wi-Fi.

If You Want to Stop Paying for Your Internet

Disabling Wi-Fi does not reduce the price of your internet bill unless you're on a pay-per-usage plan. If you want to disable your internet service and not just turn off the Wi-Fi signal on your device or network, contact your internet service provider (ISP) and discontinue the service.

You Don't Use Wi-Fi

Turn off or disable the router wireless signal if you're not using it. Some homes don't have any wireless devices, and a wireless signal in these cases serves no purpose.

Another reason to disable Wi-Fi is when the network has a slow Wi-Fi connection. When Wi-Fi is slow, turn off the Wi-Fi on your tablet or phone and use your mobile carrier's network for faster speeds.

It's a Security Risk

If you're not using your Wi-Fi or don't needto use it, disable it if you're concerned about security.

If your Wi-Fi is on all the time, and you never changed the default SSIDor default router password when you first installed the router, it's not hard for a neighbor (or someone sitting outside your home) to access your network by cracking your wireless password.

Another option for increased security instead of disabling Wi-Fi from the router is to disable it from the device. For example, if you use your phone or tablet in a hotel or coffee shop and are concerned that someone nearby may be snooping on your internet traffic, disable Wi-Fi on the device to ensure that none of your data is transferred through the network.

You Want toHidethe Wi-Fi

If you don't want to disable Wi-Fi from your router but instead want to hide it so that it's hard for someone to connect to your network, hide the SSID, which is the name of your network. The Wi-Fi doesn't turn off when you hide or stop broadcasting the SSID. Hiding the SSID makes it difficult for uninvited guests to find and connect to your network.