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It takes just one bandwidth-hungry application or a client to make download and upload speeds come to a crawl for everyone else on the same WiFi network. Luckily, modern routers support services like QoS , which allow users to prioritize certain applications over others. Routers near exterior walls won’t have as much range and coverage. Try to put your router in the main area of your home so it’s unobstructed and able to send a strong signal in all directions.
You can find a list of the top 5 WiFi boosters at the end of this article. If you have lots of guests, create a separate guest network and either significantly limit its range or protect it with a different password and change the password on a regular basis. Again, if you don’t know what the right admin password is, look at the information sticker on the bottom or back of your router.
Improve Your Wi-Fi Speed in 10 Simple Steps
Sometimes your internet is slow because your bandwidth is being consumed by other users in your house. If you have trouble streaming video, for example, make sure three other people aren't streaming different movies at the same time. View devices on your network and check their data use and connection strength.
If all else fails, it may be time to switch to a new internet provider. At this point, we recommend consulting a professional and comparing different internet providers. When the signals travel through walls at an angle, they dwindle. If you own an old modem, upgrading to a new model might solve all of your problems. Newer modems also offer stronger security features and work with a vast array of devices.
Easy Ways to Speed Up Your Internet Connection
When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight. She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span. Rebecca Lee Armstrong has more than six years of experience writing about tech and the internet, with a specialty in hands-on testing.
Before you blame the Wi-Fi, make sure the internet coming into your house is performing as it should. You can do this by connecting your computer directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. If you laptop doesn't have an Ethernet port, you will need a USB-to-Ethernet adapter. Follow each step and tip and see what my end results will be. Make sure that your selected range extender will work with your model of router before buying one.
Update your router’s firmware.
Wi-Fi range extenders are small items that receive your router's Wi-Fi signal and amplify it, allowing your Wi-Fi to reach you in places that it previously couldn't. Wi-Fi range extenders can cost upward of $50, but they're often cheaper than buying a new router.You can always make your own range extender if you have a spare aluminum can. Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet.com for five years. She graduated with a BA in English and a minor in editing from Brigham Young University.
Channels 1, 6, and 11 are the ones to try, as they'll have the least interference when multiple devices get hooked up. From Wi-Fi extenders to simple wall brackets, there's always something you can do to improve your internet connection at home. You can view what WiFi network channels are being used around you if you have a Windows-based PC. Once you determine which channels are most heavily used, you can choose a less busy one. You’ll have to manually change the channel by going into your wireless network’s admin interface. Others may have features like Multi User-Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO), like the Editors' Choice TP-Link Archer AX11000 tri-band gaming router.
Disconnect Other Connected Devices From Your Network
That way, you can wake up to that fresh internet feeling every morning. Most modern routers have omnidirectional antennas, so they broadcast a Wi-Fi signal in a direction that’s perpendicular to the antenna itself. If you don’t know whether or not you have a data cap, check your bill. Chances are you do, and it will be outlined in the fine print. If you keep exceeding your data cap every month, talk to your provider about an internet plan with a higher data limit.
I would suggest starting out with a simple test through M-Lab. This will check your connection speed, essentially gauging whether your ISP is providing consistent performance no matter the content you're accessing. This measurement isn't perfect, but it's a good starting place. Router manufacturers make improvements to their software and issue firmware updates to improve the performance of their products. Update the router firmware occasionally, even if you don't experience problems with the router, for security updates and other improvements. Experiment by repositioning your routerin different locations to avoid physical obstructions and radio interference, which are two common range limiters for Wi-Fi equipment.
As such, if your internet connection seems sluggish, it can bring your whole life to a halt. Test your internet speed from our network to your Wi-Fi gateway. Wi-Fi devices connect to your home network using wireless radios and tech. Learn about internet speed, what affects it, and how to get the most from your service.
While this may not speed up the connection, it can boost the signal into the dead spots of your house or office. For example, if your router is on the first floor of your house, you may want to add a wireless range extender on another floor to boost the signal. It can be a big help in areas with thick walls or other physical structures that can impede a wireless signal.
If you’re not a fan of extenders or repeaters, a powerline kit is an alternative. Powerline devices are engineered to make use of digital signals as they pass through electrical wiring. Connect a powerline plug to your Wi-Fi modem and plug into the wall.
What you can do is move it closer and/or change the channel it's broadcasting. If you have an Android, look for a WiFi scanner app that will tell you what channel other routers are on and what channel your router would be best on. Out-of-date router firmware can prevent your router from maintaining a consistent connection. This is a process that varies from router to router, so you'll need to check your router's manual to verify the process. Typically, though, you'll go to the router's settings page, find the Update or Install Firmware button, and click it.
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