Slow browsing, inability to stream, Wi-Fi dropouts, wireless dead zones—every one of these issues is maddening in a world where surfing the web has become as necessary as breathing.
If you feel like your Wi-Fi is getting sluggish, there are a number of tools you can use to test your internet speed . You can also try some tricks to troubleshoot network issues . But if the only way to get good reception is to stand next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.
1. Check your wired internet connection
Before blaming Wi-Fi, make sure the internet coming into your home is working. You can do this by connecting your computer directly to the router with an Ethernet cable. If your laptop does not have an Ethernet port, you will need a USB to Ethernet adapter .
Run a speed test to see your internet speed. If it doesn’t match the speed on your internet bill, you may need to call your ISP or have your router or modem replaced . If your speed test does match your internet bill, but it still seems slow, it might be time to make a better plan . (My grandmother was sure there was something wrong with her Wi-Fi, only for me to tell her she subscribed to a snail speed 3Mbps connection.
If everything works, try standing next to the router and run the test wirelessly again. If you’re getting equally good speeds next to your router, but not elsewhere in your home, your Wi-Fi coverage may be to blame. If your internet is still slow next to your router, you probably have some outdated equipment that needs an upgrade.
2. Update router firmware
Before you start tweaking, it’s a good idea to update your router’s firmware. Router makers are always improving software to improve speeds. How easy it is to upgrade the firmware depends entirely on the make and model of the device.
Most current routers have the update process built into the management interface, so just hit the firmware upgrade button. Other models, especially if they’re older, still require you to visit the manufacturer’s website, download the firmware file from the router’s support page, and upload it to the management interface. It’s tedious, but still a good thing since it would be such an easy fix.
In fact, even if your wireless network isn’t experiencing issues, you should regularly update your firmware for improved performance, better functionality, and security updates. If you need help, we have a guide on accessing your router’s settings .
If you really want to get the most out of your current router, the adventurous can check out third-party firmware, such as open-source firmware. DD-WRT. This improves performance and gives you access to more advanced networking features, including the ability to install a VPN directly onto your router . It’s a bit complicated to set up, but for tech-savvy users, it might be worth it.
3. Achieve Optimal Router Placement
Not all homes share Wi-Fi signals equally. The truth is, where you place your router can greatly affect your wireless coverage. It might seem logical to put the router in a cabinet and away from the road, or right next to the window where the cables come in, but that’s not always the case. Instead, here are some tips:
- Keep your wireless router surrounded by the open air, away from walls and obstacles to prevent interference and overheating.
- If possible, place the router in the center of the house so the signal can easily reach every corner of the house.
- If one wall between the workspace and the router could be eliminated, performance could be greatly improved.
- Avoid heavy electrical or electronic equipment as running them in close proximity may affect Wi-Fi performance.
- If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to increase coverage.
- It can even help elevate your router—mount it on a wall or on a top shelf for a better signal.
There are also plenty of tools to help you visualize network coverage. We like Ekahau’s heat mapper or MetaGeek’s inSSIDer , which shows you the weaknesses and strengths in your Wi-Fi network. There are also plenty of mobile apps, such as Netgear’s WiFi Analysis .
4. What is your frequency?
Check your network’s administrator interface and make sure it’s configured for optimal performance. If you have a dual-band router, you may get better throughput by switching to the 5GHz band instead of using the more common 2.4GHz band.
Not only does 5GHz offer faster speeds, but because the frequency is less commonly used, you’re likely to experience less interference from other wireless networks and devices. Note, though, that it doesn’t handle obstacles and distance very well, so it won’t necessarily reach as well as a 2.4GHz signal.
Most modern dual-band routers should give you the option to use the same network name or SSID on both bands. Check your router’s admin interface for a 5GHz network option, and give it the same SSID and password as your 2.4GHz network. This way, your device will automatically select the best signal possible.
5. Change the channel
Interference is a big problem, especially for those who live in densely populated areas. Signals from other wireless networks can affect speed, not to mention some cordless phone systems, microwave ovens, and other electronic devices.
Ever played with walkie-talkies as a kid? You may recall that the units need to be on the same “channel” for you to hear each other. If you happen to be on the same channel as your neighbor, you can listen in on other people’s conversations, even if they’re using a completely different TV. Likewise, all modern routers can switch across different channels when communicating with your device.
Most routers will choose the channel for you, but if adjacent wireless networks also use the same channel, you will experience signal congestion. A good router set to “auto” will try to choose the least congested channel, but older or cheaper routers may just choose a predefined channel even if it’s not the best channel. This could be a problem.
If you’re using a Windows PC, you can see which channels neighboring Wi-Fi networks are using. Type netsh wlan show all at the command prompt and you will see a list of all wireless networks and nearby channels in use. The aforementioned network analyzers can also display this information in a more human-readable graphical format.
6. Drive away Wi-Fi intruders
It’s entirely possible that the problem has nothing to do with interference or Wi-Fi range. If your network is open, or has a weak password, you may have an unwanted visitor or two on your network. If neighbors download multiple 4K movies on your Wi-Fi, your video chats will suffer.
A tool like Wi-Fi Watcher will show all the devices using the internet and help you sniff out neighbors who might be stealing your Wi-Fi . The router’s management interface may also be some kind of traffic analyzer, which will tell you which devices are using a lot of data. You might even find that one of your kids is sucking up bandwidth without you realizing it.
Once you’ve found the intruder and fixed the problem, secure your network with a strong password (preferably WPA2, since WEP is notoriously easy to crack) so no one else can join.
7. Control quality
Most modern routers come with Quality of Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth used by applications, such as on the gear menu . QoS settings can usually be found under Advanced Settings in the network administrator interface.
For example, you can use QoS to prioritize video calls over file downloads so your call with grandma isn’t interrupted by someone else grabbing a large file from Dropbox. It may take longer to download the file, but it should keep video calls looking good. Certain QoS settings even allow you to prioritize different applications at specific times of the day.
