Gone are the days when we said, “What’s life without love, family and success?” Today, it’s “What’s life without a good Internet connection?” Needless to say, surviving without high-speed Internet is a huge pain. But sometimes, despite all our efforts to get that perfect Wi-Fi connection, we get stuck amidst horrible reception and outdated technology.
So here I bring to you 12 tips to make sure that at least your home Wi-Fi doesn’t trouble you with slow connection:
1. Make sure your router is placed at the center of your house ; even if you’ve been provided with only one connection spot which isn’t the center. Use long cables to shift the router to the center.
The center helps you access Internet from everywhere in your house. Simply placing it at the right place can go a long way. If you have multiple routers make sure they’re properly divided.
2. Do not hide the router behind TV cabinets and curtains. You’ll need it to be out in the open for free signal and better strength.
It’ll also prevent overheating.
3. Use the latest Wi-Fi technology. This includes up-to-date hardware that are in sync with your computer.
4. Finding the right wireless channel is also important; especially if your neighbourhood has many Wi-Fi networks. Use tools like Wi-Fi Stumbler and Wi-Fi Analyzer to find the perfect channel for your house.
Little to no interference can help boost the Wi-Fi immensely. These tools help you find channels with less interference from other routers.
5. Don’t leave your router on the floor. Experts recommend you to keep it at least a couple of feet above ground level as they’ re designed to broadcast signals slightly downward and if kept on the floor, could hamper signal.
Also, to penetrate solid materials metal, concrete, and cement present in home floors is nearly impossible.
6. Keep your router away from other electronics. They tend to interfere with your router signal .
Anything capable of sending electromagnetic waves is to be kept away, such as TVs, cordless phones and microwaves.
7. Beware of Wi-Fi thieves. Thwart them off by keeping strong WPA passwords to lock the Wi-Fi. If you fear someone is stealing it still, find out who .
WPA passwords can be hacked. But apps like Reaver can help.
8. You can expand your Wi-Fi range by using simple DIY tricks such as useful homemade extenders or other affordable plug-in extenders.
9. You can also convert your old Wi-Fi routers into extenders and repeaters.
Follow these steps .
10. Measure your Wi-Fi signal strength to figure out where it’s weak.
Tools like Cloudcheck help you map out the entire Wi-Fi route of your house. It can help you position your router better.
11. Keep upgrading your router’s software.
The new routers have firmware upgrades for your router’s signal. The older ones might need extra attention there but can still be worked out.
12. Most importantly, make sure your Internet service provider isn’t the problem. We often get confused here.
It’s not very difficult to figure out if your router is the problem or your service provider. Just do a quick speed test under these two conditions: over the Wi-Fi, and with your computer plugged directly into the router via an Ethernet cord. If they’re both slow then your ISP is the problem; if the Wi-Fi is slow then you need to get your router fixed.