When trying to power through a busy day of working from home, there’s nothing worse than a slow internet connection. It stops you from connecting to video calls, loading emails, or downloading attachments.
However, you may be surprised to learn that you don’t need to live with slow internet speeds. If you’re using wi-fi in your home, there are quite a few tips and tricks you can use to speed up your connection.
Ready to learn more? Keep reading to find ten of the best ways to manage wifi speeds and improve your internet–for good.
Contents
1To Manage Wifi, First Set a Password
If you want to keep your internet safe, you need to keep out unwanted guests. If your internet is public, anyone nearby can log on, such as neighbors or hackers.
Not only does this put your personal details at risk, but each extra user can slow down your connection. To prevent this, make sure your wi-fi is password protected. Create a secure password and don’t share it with anyone outside your household.
For an additional security step, change your password every few months.
2Adjust Router Placement
If your internet seems slow, this could be due to the router’s location. Your connection may slow down if your router is in a bad location, such as in the corner of the home.
Walls and electrical devices can block your router’s effectiveness, so it helps to put it in the center of the home, away from other appliances. You may want to experiment until you find a location where the wi-fi can easily extend all throughout the home.
Although wi-fi does work through walls, it struggles with thick, reinforced concrete walls.
3Update Your Router
Like most electronics, routers wear out over time. If your router is older, it may not be working as well as it used to, causing a weaker signal.
Try replacing your wi-fi router with a new model and see if it makes a difference. If you’re on a contract plan with an internet provider, you may qualify for a new router every few years.
4Upgrade to a Stronger Antenna
If the router is working fine, but you still feel your internet is slow, it could help to upgrade just the antenna. You can purchase an additional antenna, which may be larger with additional strength than your current model.
The antenna is a vital part of your router, as it is responsible for transmitting your wi-fi signal.
5Reboot on Occasion
If your internet is playing up, it often helps to reset, or reboot, your router. Although this doesn’t necessarily make the internet faster, it does provide a reset, which can help it get back to normal on days when your connection keeps dropping out.
If you’ve tried resetting and your wi-fi still isn’t working, you may need to analyze the network connection to figure out what’s gone wrong.
If you have a Mac, check out this link to find the best wi-fi analyzer—https://setapp.com/how-to/best-wifi-analyzer-for-mac.
6Purchase a Wi-Fi Extender
If you find your wi-fi just isn’t reaching certain areas of the home, then you may need to purchase an extender. An extender connects to your router and amplifies its signal, allowing the connection to reach further away.
If you have a large home or find your wi-fi is struggling to reach upstairs bedroom or offices, try out an extender. They are easy to install and inexpensive.
7Disconnect Unused Devices
The more devices are using the network, then the slower the connection may be. If you can find your connection is too slow, try disconnecting any devices that aren’t in use, such as a child’s tablet or a work mobile phone.
This is also a useful tip if you don’t have unlimited monthly wi-fi, as you can stretch your monthly allowance further by only connecting when needed.
8Change Frequencies
Sometimes, switching frequencies can make a big difference. Also known as channels, try a few different options and see if you notice a speed difference.
If you can switch to a different channel than the one being used by your neighbors, this can improve speed.
9Add a Second Access Point
Did you know you can add a second, or third, router to your network? This gives your wi-fi an additional access point, allowing for a stronger signal throughout the home.
If you have a spare router, you can use it to connect and extend your reach to parts of the home where the internet is slower.
10Speak to Your Internet Provider
If your internet seems slow, no matter what you do, it’s worth giving your internet provider a call.
Explain to them what’s happening and ask for advice. This could be due to something like a faulty router or down power lines in your area.
Customer service is an important part of what you pay for each month, so your provider should be able to investigate your problem and offer solutions as to how you can speed up your connection.
Use These Tips to Speed Up Your Home Internet Today
If your internet is going slow, you know how stressful it can be when you’re trying to get work done or school assignments. Next time your connection slows down, try out some of the tips above to manage wifi more effectively.
With a few adjustments, you may find that your internet connection is faster than ever, giving you the data and speed to power through video calls, class assignments, and Netflix nights.
Get started today and start enjoying the convenience of faster wi-fi!
Did you find this article useful? If so, please browse some of our other content to read more.
