People are only just realizing how to make their Wi-Fi faster at home
- A WiFi router is like a lightbulb – so putting anything in the way of it will limit how much ‘light’ or internet connection you receive
- There are simple tricks people can do to make sure they get the best connection
There are simple tricks and changes that people can make in their homes to improve their Wi-Fi connection and get quicker broadband speeds.
Simply moving the box, elevating it on a shelf, or making sure it’s got the latest update can all make vast improvements to your internet experience.
A Wi-Fi router is like a lightbulb – so putting anything in the way of it will limit how much ‘light’ or internet connection you receive.
One of the easiest mistakes to make with your router is putting it on the floor.
Simply moving the box, elevating it on a shelf, or making sure it’s got the latest update can all make vast improvements to your internet experience
Walls, floors, and metal objects can interfere and weaken your router’s wireless signals – so if it’s placed on the ground, some of your service is going straight into the floorboards.
Moving the Wi-Fi box off the ground and placing it five to seven feet off the ground will help with the frequencies.
Alex Tofts, from the broadband comparison service Broadband Genie, told DailyMail.com: ‘The general rules to bear in mind are looking for any obstacles nearby that could cause a problem.
‘Avoid placing it behind bulky furniture or next to other gadgets that could cause interference with the signal.’
He added: ‘There are certain rooms in the home which can be particularly problematic, so with that in mind, here are the areas that you should think twice about.’
Another trick that homeowners need to know about their Wi-Fi is that the most common wireless technology operates at a frequency of 2.4 gigahertz (GHz).
But that’s the same frequency that cordless telephones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, and garage door openers all use too.
As a result, their signal noise could interfere with the connection between your device and router, Microsoft warns.
To reduce the interference, they suggest that people buy cordless telephones and other devices that use the 5.8 GHz frequencies to minimize the interference.
Replacing an omnidirectional antenna with a high-gain antenna will allow users to aim the router’s wireless signal in the most desirable direction
Where you place the box in your home is also significant.
Central locations provide the best signal coverage across your entire home or apartment.
Placing your router on the first floor will help it reach devices on the second floor, rather than having it on the ground floor, for example.
Generally speaking, you want your router to be in the middle of your home, rather than at the edges, Toft explained.
Toft said: ‘Attic space is not optimal for signal strength.
‘Ideally, you want your router on the ground floor in the middle of your home, this will give it the best chance of reaching all the rooms in your home.
‘Insulation material in the attic can also make it harder to get a better signal. If you use your attic space and need internet up there, you should consider using a Wi-Fi booster.’
Making sure you have a passport protecting your Wi-Fi is crucial
Replacing your router antenna can also help.
They usually broadcast in all directions, meaning that if it’s placed by a wall, half of your Wi-Fi is going outside.
Replacing an omnidirectional antenna with a high-gain antenna will allow users to aim the router’s wireless signal in the most desirable direction.
If you’re having trouble with one device cutting out or having a slow connection, it can be worth getting old-school and switching to an Ethernet cable for that specific device.
If you’ve got a lot of devices competing for Wi-Fi connection, it can be worth connecting the ones that don’t tend to move about (TVs and games consoles) via a wired connection to ensure they get the best speeds.
This can also ensure that you’ve got a solid connection to the devices that stream Ultra-HD video.
An obvious – but crucial – trick to make sure you’re getting the best out of your Wi-Fi is to put a security password on it.
Routers without a password can be accessed by anyone in your vicinity. That means nosy neighbors could be eating up your power without realizing it.
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