Tips & Tricks to Boost Your WiFi Speed

  • Your Router Makes All The Difference
      • If your router is older, it might be time to upgrade. You can get a new router by calling your Internet Service Provider (ISP – Optimum, Verizon, etc) and asking what routers they offer. For example, Verizon Fios just came out with a new powerful router that is only a few dollars more per month. 
      • Here are some tips to ensure your router is performing well:
        • Reboot your router – Unplug your router’s power supply for 15 seconds, then plug it back in. It will take a few minutes to reboot so be patient.
        • Update your router’s software – To do this, you will need to look on the back of your router itself and follow the directions on how to access the settings.
  • Router Location Matters
      • One way to boost your speed is to relocate your router. If you’re typically using your internet close to your router, you’re probably fine, but if your router is located behind objects and in the corner of your house, you may incur performance issues related to distance or obstacles. If you’re having problems in certain rooms in your home, then relocating your router might solve your connectivity woes. This is not always easy to do, so you may have to get creative in setting up work stations near your router.
      • For a super-strong signal, try using an ethernet cable to plug directly into the router and then to your computer.
  • Turn off unused or extra internet-connected devices
      • Your unused internet-connected devices use your WiFi’s bandwidth. If you have multiple phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers, smart home devices, and video game consoles sharing your home network, all of that usage can add up and result in reduced available bandwidth.
      • During school hours, take a walk around the house and unplug or turn off Wifi on your unused internet-connected devices such as – Amazon Alexa, Google Home, cell phones and tablets that are not in use and whatever else you can think of.
    • Buy a WiFi booster or Mesh Network Adapter – These are very popular, so act fast!
      • Quick note, while browsing for boosters, they are sometimes called WiFi repeaters, and extenders, they are mostly the same thing.
      • A WiFi booster is used to extend the coverage area of your WiFi network. It works by receiving your existing WiFi signal, amplifying it, and then transmitting the boosted signal. With a WiFi booster, you can effectively double the coverage area of your WiFi network – reaching far corners of your home, different floors, or even extend coverage to your yard.
        • Visit a store or website that you are comfortable with and ask questions. There are a lot of options out there, and it could be confusing to understand which one is best for your home. Here are some recommendations:
      • Mesh network adapters – Note that mesh network adapters are more expensive than WiFi boosters but often have better results.  Mesh WiFi adapters use multiple adapters around your home to create one seamless network. Each of these is called a ‘node’ and they all work together to extend your WiFi signal to your whole home. One ‘node’ usually connects to your home router via Ethernet cable, and the rest of the nodes are placed around your home to where you need WiFi. Here are some recommendations:
  • Contact Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
    • Get ready to be placed on hold for a while, but they can often help ensure your WiFi setup is optimal. As mentioned above, they can help with your router model as they know what would be best based on your internet package. 
    • Your ISP can also do a reboot of your router for you and ensure that the router’s setup is correct and provides the best possible WiFi signal it can.

 

Andrew Leibowitz 

aleibowitz79@gmail.com