my archer ax73 router keeps randomly dropping wifi for a few seconds and then coming back, especially on my 5ghz band

Diagnosis

The intermittent connectivity drops on the 5GHz band of the Archer AX73 are almost certainly caused by Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) triggers. The AX73 uses a wide array of 5GHz channels, many of which are shared with radar systems (such as weather radar or military installations). When the router is set to "Auto" channel selection, it may pick a DFS channel (typically channels 52-64 or 100-140). By law, if the router detects a radar pulse on these frequencies, it must immediately vacate the channel and cease transmission, causing a "silent period" where all connected devices are dropped for several seconds to a few minutes while the router scans for a clear frequency.

You can confirm this by checking the System Log in the web interface. If you see entries mentioning "DFS radar detected" or "Channel change due to DFS," the hardware is functioning as intended, but the environment is too noisy for the automatic settings. Additionally, if the drops occur primarily when you are using a 160MHz channel width, the likelihood of a DFS conflict increases significantly because the router must occupy a larger block of the spectrum, increasing the chance of hitting a restricted radar frequency.

How to Fix It

To eliminate these drops, you must move the router to a non-DFS channel and lock the channel width to prevent the router from automatically jumping back into restricted territory. Follow these exact steps:

1. Connect your computer to the router via Ethernet or WiFi and navigate to tplinkwifi.net or 192.168.0.1 in your browser. Log in with your admin credentials.
2. Navigate to the Advanced tab in the top navigation menu.
3. On the left-hand sidebar, select Wireless and then click Wireless Settings.
4. Scroll down to the 5GHz section. Locate the Channel Width dropdown menu. Change this from "Auto" or "160MHz" to 80MHz. While 160MHz offers higher theoretical speeds, it is the primary cause of DFS instability on the AX73.
5. Locate the Channel dropdown menu. Do not leave this on "Auto." Manually select one of the non-DFS channels: 36, 40, 44, or 48. These are the "Lower" band channels that are not monitored by radar systems and will never trigger a DFS disconnect.
6. Click the Save button at the bottom of the page. The router will apply the settings and may reboot the wireless radios, causing a brief disconnect of all devices.

If That Didn't Work

If the drops persist after locking the channel to 36-48, try these alternative solutions:

• Disable Smart Connect: Go to Advanced > Wireless > Wireless Settings and toggle off Smart Connect. This feature attempts to merge the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands into one SSID. Sometimes the router incorrectly steers a 5GHz-capable device to the 2.4GHz band due to minor signal fluctuations, which feels like a "drop" to the user. Giving the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands different names (e.g., "Home_2G" and "Home_5G") allows you to force your high-bandwidth devices to stay on 5GHz.
• Adjust OFDM and TWT Settings: In the 5GHz wireless settings, locate the OFDMA and TWT (Target Wake Time) toggles. While these are core WiFi 6 features, some older 5GHz clients (like older iPhones or Intel AX200 NICs) struggle with the AX73's implementation, leading to intermittent disconnections. Try disabling OFDMA to see if stability improves for your specific device mix.
• Perform a Hard Factory Reset: If a firmware update occurred recently, cached configuration files can sometimes cause instability. Use a paperclip to hold the Reset button on the back of the AX73 for 10 full seconds while the unit is powered on. Reconfigure the router from scratch without importing a backup configuration file.
• Update Firmware Manually: Check Advanced > System Tools > Firmware Upgrade. If no update is available via the "Check for Upgrade" button, visit the TP-Link support page for your specific hardware version (V1, V2, etc., found on the sticker on the bottom of the unit) and manually upload the latest .bin firmware file.

Heads Up

• Heat Management: The AX73 runs hot due to its high-performance processor. Ensure it is placed in an open area and not inside a cabinet; overheating can cause the 5GHz radio to reset spontaneously.
• 160MHz Trade-off: Switching from 160MHz to 80MHz will reduce your maximum theoretical link speed on compatible devices, but it drastically increases connection stability in residential areas.
• Placement: 5GHz signals are easily blocked by walls and mirrors. If you are experiencing drops only in certain rooms, the issue is likely signal attenuation rather than DFS, and you may need a Powerline adapter or a Mesh extender.