Networking
Published on April 11th, 2020 | by Sunit Nandi
010 Ways To Improve The Speed Of Your WiFi Router
There are few things more frustrating than slow WiFi. Considering how much we rely on our internet, any kind of lag can be a major inconvenience. But, provided you are already using one of the best Compatible Routers for your ISP, here is how to improve internet speed from your router by trying some things.
- Remove any obstructions. One of the first things to look out for with your router is whether there are any large obstructions around it. This might mean a wall or a large piece of furniture, but either one can interfere with the strength of your signal. Position your router in a less obstructed location.
- Confirm what your range and location is. What kind of range are you supposed to be getting from your router? If you are supposed to be getting a large distance, but it isn’t working, you might want to look at the location of the router. If it is in a basement, for example, it will slow down as it works its way upward.
- Look for bandwidth hogs. One of the biggest slowdowns on any network are bandwidth hogs. These are devices or users who are streaming in 4K HD most of the day, taking away all available bandwidth, and leaving you with little to work with.
- Download any software updates. Routers are often updated to keep up with any security threats or any errors that was discovered in their code. Many updates contain crucial corrections that can make your router faster. Do not ignore software updates. Do them when you see them.
- Get a better antenna. Not all routers come with high-gain antennas. Getting a more powerful antenna can easily boost your power and speed. While they might not be the most attractive pieces of equipment, they are worth the trouble. You just need a short single-pole antenna that has a higher gain than your existing one.
- Lock down your network. If your neighbours have been hopping onto your WiFi, you will naturally experience a slowdown. It would be a good idea to make sure that your network is locked down well, keeping out any potential leeches that might be stealing your bandwidth.
- Use an extender. A WiFi extender or booster is another great way to improve your speeds. An extender amplifies your WiFi signal, improving both your speed and your range.
- Try a different WiFi channel. WiFi has different channels that it works along. Most countries have several WiFi channels to use from, but most people just stay on the default channel. Hopping onto channel 11 or 14 can speed up your internet speeds.
- Make use of 5 GHz. Most routers are dual-band, which means that they have both a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band. Your streaming devices should be using the 5 GHz band, which has less traffic, but shorter range. If your streaming devices are on the 2.4 GHz, your WiFi speeds will never be as good.
- When all else fails, reboot. The final suggestion that we have is to reboot your router. Sometimes it just needs a break and allowing it to refresh itself can increase its speed and stop any applications that might have been draining that router behind the scenes.
In some cases, you will need to purchase a new router in order to get the best speeds possible. If your router is older, you should start looking for a new one that works with your ISP and has all of the updates and features you need.