Nobody likes sitting around waiting for a page to load with their Wi-Fi or while streaming a video. Whether you are working from home, gaming online, or just trying to stay up to date with all the latest shows and movies, you need fast and reliable Wi-Fi. Internet plan upgrades can sometimes help, but there are many demonstrated fixes to boost home Wi-Fi speeds without outrageous upgrades. Here's the rundown on 12 real-world ways to better your experience and ditch those slowdowns.
1. Position your router centrally
You must locate your router in such a way that it has a very good signal strength and reaches every spot in your home. Do not place your router in a very closed-up position like behind closets or large furniture. Locate it where it will give you the best signal in a central open spot in your house. Mounting it on the wall or placing it on a shelf can enhance the range of your signals and decrease interference from the walls or metallic things.
2. Ethernet cable for high-bandwidth devices
Wi-Fi is a convenience factor, but wired Ethernet is faster and more stable. Hook any high priority devices like gaming console, desktop computer, or smart TV directly to your router using an Ethernet cable to free up congestion in Wi-Fi bandwidth.
3. Change the Wi-Fi channels
Wi-Fi works on channels. Neighboring routers often use the same channel; a common solution is to manually change the Wi-Fi channel in your router's settings. Channels 1, 6, and 11 have the fewest intersecting nodes, making these good starting points for changing your Wi-Fi channel to experience fewer disruptions.
4. Upgrade Your Router
For instance, older routers do not have modern technology like dual-band or tri-band features that enhance the way speed and connectivity are provided. If you have a very big house or many devices, then you should consider changing your older router to a new one. The Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E technology supports fast speed and numerous connections at the same time. Moreover, mesh Wi-Fi systems are good at covering larger areas.
5. Know the generations of Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6, 6E, and 7)
New generations of Wi-Fi bring higher speed, greater range, and a higher capacity. Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E bring faster speeds with less interference, while Wi-Fi 7, when it arrives, promises even better performance in multiple device scenarios. Upgrading to one of these new standards can bring faster, more reliable Wi-Fi in a busy household.
6. Rethink Wi-Fi Extenders and Repeaters
In some instances, Wi-Fi extenders might be able to improve the range of your network. However, for a stable, steady performance throughout your home, a mesh Wi-Fi system is the better alternative. Mesh systems consist of interconnecting nodes to create a network to eliminate dead zones and ensure seamless connectivity.
7. Give Powerline Adapters a Try
These are especially useful if your router is located in a position that makes it hard to access from another area of the house. Powerline adapters use your home's electrical system to send internet signals from one part of your house to another, so you won't have to run cables through walls to use a wired connection in other rooms.
8. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network with a Strong Password
An open or easily guessed Wi-Fi network attracts unwanted devices, which slows down your internet. Secure your network by enabling AES encryption and setting up a strong, unique password. This keeps neighbors from freeloading-and far more importantly-secures your personal information.
9. Disconnect Unused Devices
The more devices connected to your Wi-Fi, the harder it has to work. Devices such as smart home devices, tablets, or old phones that still connect to the network in the background should be unplugged or turned off if they are not currently in use.
10. Check Your Device's Settings
For instance, some apps run in the background and use bandwidth. So, just close unnecessary apps or programs on your PC or smartphone by checking settings to free up bandwidth for your main device that can heighten the speed.
11. Restart Your Router Periodically
Though it sounds like an IT cliché, sometimes restarting your router may effectively recreate all your connections and clear out the temporary issues. A straightforward restart refreshes the memory of the router and sorts out minor connection glitches if you suddenly feel something is going amiss or it goes a bit slow, and then you get a momentary disconnection.
12. Upgrade Router Firmware
Router manufacturers manufacture firmware updates to enhance the router performance, introduce new features, or fix security issues. Go ahead and log into your router settings; you can see if there are any updates available. Therefore, having a router with updated firmware ensures it will function correctly and will be secure.
The Wi-Fi can be super-speedy and stable without a long, expensive new plan or device; most of the time, tweaking small settings on the router or even just moving the equipment around to a more strategic location will make all the difference.
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