Slow Wi-Fi can interrupt Teams meetings, ruin gaming experiences, and restrict online access to your favorite content. When the modern world relies on near-instant connections, these inconveniences add up quickly and become frustrating obstacles to work, school, and life in general. Here are five simple steps to boost your Wi-Fi speed and keep you connected with your friends and co-workers.
Run a Speed Test
Begin by running our internet speed test, using your first test result as a baseline to mark any changes as you go through each step.
You could even compare the results to the speed advertised with your internet plan. That way, you know if your rates are underperforming or if it's just time to upgrade to a faster plan. Remember that many ISPs guarantee speeds only over a wired Ethernet connection. It's acceptable to have a lower number than your advertised maximum speed, especially over Wi-Fi. What's important is that you have a smooth browsing experience.
Restart Everything
First, start by power cycling your devices to see if your Wi-Fi speed improves. Unplug your modem, wait 30 seconds, and then plug it back in. This process allows the modem to clear out any glitches. Next, repeat the process with your router. Like with the modem, a power cycle clears your router's memory and gives it a fresh start on tasks that were slowing it down. Finally, toggle the Wi-Fi on all your wireless devices. Wait a few seconds, and then turn Wi-Fi back on. Allow these devices to reconnect and see if your connection improves.
While a power cycle might seem like an easy fix, turning your home networking equipment off and on again can immensely boost your network. We recommend rebooting your equipment at least once every few months. Keep in mind that doing this will leave you without internet for a few minutes, so plan to restart your equipment at a time when no one is using it.
Move and Adjust Your Equipment
Wi-Fi signals can travel only a certain distance and get interrupted or redirected by things like large appliances, thick walls, and high ceilings. Radio waves from other devices, including phones, microwaves, and Bluetooth speakers, can also interrupt these signals. The best place for your router is on an elevated surface in a central location of the house.
If you have adjustable antennas on your router, try adjusting them. Router antennas are usually omnidirectional, sending signals in all directions perpendicular to the antenna. For example, a vertical antenna sends Wi-Fi signals horizontally and vice versa. If you need to extend your Wi-Fi signals across multiple floors, adjusting an antenna to sit horizontally to spread Wi-Fi signals up and down could help.
Extend Your Wi-Fi Network
If your router is in the best possible location but still has connectivity issues, you may need to add a device that can extend your network's range.
There are a couple of different devices you can use to increase the reach of your network:
- Wi-Fi boosters sit between your router and the dead zone and either amplify or redistribute existing Wi-Fi signals into the new area.
- Mesh Wi-Fi systems replace your router with one or more devices that work together to create a single Wi-Fi web that blankets your whole home from multiple points.
While these work to push your Wi-Fi farther, the best network extension tool depends on the layout of your home. A booster will probably be a good fit if you have just one stubborn dead zone, while mesh systems are better for full-house coverage if your home is large or has a more intricate design.
Update or Replace Your Equipment
Sometimes, your internet connection is too slow to sustain your internet consumption. If you utilize the internet for a good portion of the day for work or leisure, it's recommended that you upgrade to a faster internet plan to get better speeds.
If you're dealing with older, out-of-date equipment, it may be time to replace it. If you rent equipment from your internet provider, you can request new units, especially if the old ones are causing poor network performance. Switching providers should be a last resort, but if you try all the tips on our list and your speed still hasn't improved, it might be time to change.
While having powerful tech on the go keeps you connected, it's also important to have reliable, secure hardware for your entire office in today's workplace. SeedSpark is proud to partner with businesses to provide our clients with the right touch of technology that complements their business, empowering their businesses today while helping prepare them for tomorrow. Contact our team for a free 30-minute technology assessment. SeedSpark works with clients of every size, leveraging the right technology to meet today's needs while preparing their business for tomorrow.
