If you sense that your Wi-Fi has become slower, there are numerous tools available to test your internet speed. You will probably understand that you need to improve your Wi-Fi signal. If everything is in order with the signal, you will need to boost your home internet in another way. You can try a few tricks to troubleshoot network problems.
#1 Select a Good Place for Your Router
Not all locations are equally suitable for placing your router. Firstly, it is advisable to avoid placing the router near metal objects and appliances that emit electromagnetic waves. Metal is the primary disrupter of Wi-Fi signals, and its proximity to a router can result in a significant dead zone.
While materials like glass, wood, plastics, foam, and cardboard can also cause disruptions to Wi-Fi signals, their impact on signal strength tends to be less severe. It’s worth noting that many buildings use metal studs instead of wood for particle board mounting, so placing your router near them is not recommended. When uncertain, consider using a handheld stud finder or a stud finder app on your smartphone.
#2 Update Your Router Firmware
Before you start making adjustments, it’s a wise choice to update your router’s firmware. Router manufacturers are constantly enhancing software to optimize speed. The ease or difficulty of upgrading firmware depends entirely on the manufacturer and model of your device. Most modern routers have the update process integrated within the administration interface, making it as easy as clicking a firmware upgrade button. However, for older models, you might still need to visit the manufacturer’s website, download a firmware file from your router’s support page, and upload it to the administration interface. While this process may be tedious, it’s still worthwhile since it’s a simple fix to improve your router’s performance.
#3 Try installing or replacing a VPN
Think, does VPN slow down the internet? If it’s a low-quality service, then yes. You may experience network speed issues when dealing with ISPs that cannot provide sufficient bandwidth on their servers. You can replace it with VeePN, which is guaranteed to support high speeds. Plus, if you don’t have and haven’t had a VPN, throttling could be the reason for your slow internet speed. Providers everywhere slow down the Internet speed for users depending on what they are doing online. If the service thinks it’s not a priority, it compresses your channel, but VeePN fixes that problem.
#4 Get a Stronger Antenna
Most Wi-Fi routers are typically equipped with small and weak antennas. This is not because manufacturers want to save every penny, but rather because powerful Wi-Fi antennas tend to be bulky. If we compare the antenna that comes with your router, which is probably just a few inches tall and has around 4 dB gain, a 10-dB antenna can range from 10 to 15 inches in height. However, if you are not concerned about the size, getting a new and more powerful Wi-Fi antenna can significantly boost your home or office’s Wi-Fi signal without having to purchase a new router.
#5 Purchase a Better Internet Plan
Nowadays, it’s quite astonishing to see the multitude of devices that can connect to the internet through Wi-Fi. From computers and mobile phones to an array of smart home products and appliances, these devices rely on Wi-Fi and can consume significant bandwidth. However, not all internet plans can accommodate this demand.
#6 Change Channel
Interference can be a significant concern, especially for individuals residing in densely populated areas. Other wireless networks, as well as cordless phone systems, microwaves, and other electronic devices, can disrupt signals, affecting speeds. Remember playing with walkie-talkies as a child? You might recall that both units needed to be on the same channel for communication. If you happened to be on the same channel as your neighbor, you could eavesdrop on someone else’s conversation, even if they were using a different set. Similarly, modern routers can switch between different channels when communicating with your devices.
#7 Range Extender or Mesh Wi-Fi
If all of the above suggestions don’t work out, it’s possible that your house is too spacious for a single router to provide a strong signal everywhere. Additionally, the layout of your house, with its numerous corners and thick walls, might hinder your router’s reach. In such cases, you might consider other solutions to extend your signal, such as a range extender or a mesh network.
Conclusion
You have all the tools you need to get the most out of your internet connection. The only question is whether you use these opportunities or not. In 90% of cases, you can achieve an improvement for free. If you are less fortunate, you will need some investment. It will not be expensive, but it will allow you to comfortably access the Internet.
