There are plenty of ways you can boost your Wi-Fi speed. Some quick fixes include replacing your router or buying a new one.
If you have a slow Wi-Fi connection in your home, many things may cause this to happen, like obstacles in your house, Wi-Fi settings, or even your Internet Service Provider.
That said, it’s essential to learn the different approaches to addressing slow speed as this guarantees that your online activities aren’t significantly affected.
Have you been struggling with slow internet speeds and don’t know how it can be better? We have examined the different things that can slow your Wi-Fi speed from your internet provider to your browser and router and included simple fixes you can try.
Limit the Devices Connected to Your WI-FI and Optimize Your Settings
Online activities like streaming movies, conducting video chat, and playing video games take up most of your bandwidth, slowing down your internet speed.
If many devices connect to your router, and your router has the Quality of Service (QoS) setting, you can manage your devices by prioritizing access to your internet bandwidth.
For instance, if you have important meetings, this setting provides the option to prioritize your bandwidth to video calls and deprioritizes video streaming and downloads.
You can still increase your wireless speed by resetting your router’s request to send threshold. This protocol clears your data transmission channel before packets can be transmitted through it.
If you reside in an apartment complex where your Wi-Fi network is crowded, you can improve your Wi-Fi performance by lowering your RTS threshold.
Consider Upgrading Your Router
If you’ve been paying for a faster internet connection but you’re not getting the results you want, your issue could be with the hardware and not connectivity. If it’s been years since you’ve upgraded your router, it’s time to get a new router.
Remember that wireless technologies change quickly, and if you’re using a router over five years old, it may not support new technologies like internet speeds of over 100 Mbps.
You can determine whether or not your router is the cause of your slow speeds by checking up the model number and comparing the specs with that of your internet provider’s package.
Ensure That Your Router Is Updated
Updating your router’s firmware is key to improving your Wi-Fi performance. If your router has old firmware, its performance will be slower than those adequately updated. Understand that an updated router will also be prone to malware attacks.
To confirm whether you’re running on a new firmware; here are the steps to follow:
- Connect your computer to the Wi-Fi network, open your website browser, input the IP address on the sticker at the back of your router, and press the enter button on your computer.
- You’ll be redirected to a log-in page where you should input your username and password. You will also find these credentials on the sticker at the back of your router.
- Once you have successfully logged in, search for the router update or firmware update option.
- Click on update firmware and wait for your router to find and install the latest firmware.
Place Your Router Strategically Within Your Home
Bookshelves, cabinets, and walls are barriers to excellent Wi-Fi signals. Therefore, physically moving your router to a strategic area within your home significantly impacts your transmission reach and internet speeds.
Note that the ideal spot to place your router will depend on the design of your home. However, a good rule of thumb dictates placing it in a more prominent and central position.
The idea is to get the devices that require much bandwidth, like your laptops and console, closer to your router.
You should know that even if you find an ideal spot to place your router, you have to ensure that it’s further from devices that use electromagnetic waves like microwaves, baby monitors, and so on.
Adjust Your Router’s Antennas
If you’re using a router with an adjustable antenna mounted on the device, trying to reconfigure them can help boost your Wi-Fi speeds. Most router antennas send signals perpendicular to the antenna. For instance, a horizontal antenna will send your Wi-Fi signal vertically and vice versa.
If you doubt that nearby networks interfere with your signal, different software solutions can help you know everything about your home’s wireless signal. This means that you can know the wireless coverage each room is getting.
With such information, you can reposition your antennas and router to address the areas with frequent signal loss.
Add Protection to Your Wi-Fi Network
If you have many users logged into your network, they can take up most of your internet bandwidth. This mostly happens if you have never added any protection to your Wi-Fi.
To keep away freeloaders from your network, protect access to your router by using complex WPA2 security or a strong password.
This is a crucial step to take if you have an automated home. Given that the connected devices use bandwidth, failure to secure your network means intruders may access your automated security system.
Consider Installing a “Clear Cache” Plugin
When you visit different websites and provide information, your browser collects your information in cookies. Internet marketers use such data to relay crucial advertisements to some of the things you may want to purchase depending on your browsing behavior.
Such cookies and trackers can lower your Wi-Fi speeds, especially when performing different tasks on your browser.
You can quickly clear them by using your browser option’s “clear cache” setting. Alternatively, there are clear plugins you can install on your browser to help clear your cache daily, removing any accumulated data that can impact your internet speed.
Final Thoughts
This guide has shared insightful tips on the best approaches to take if you plan to boost Wi-Fi speed. Including the best configuration for a faster connection.
While some people may find some of the steps a little bit complicated, taking the initiative to learn the twerks available to you makes it possible to increase your internet connection in minutes.
Also Read: 5 Things To Consider While Performing Mobile Testing
