Your Wi-Fi network is just like electricity: it’s always there when you need it. And you can’t be bothered to think about it until something goes wrong.
But someday your web browsing activities start slowing to a crawl. Those great Netflix shows can’t be streamed any more. And the dead zones in your home become larger and larger.
Everything begins and ends with the strength of your router’s Wi-Fi signal. And no matter how strong that signal is, it can’t cover big distances without losing its power.
In addition to this, Wi-Fi signals diminish their power every time they pass through walls, ceilings, metals, and so on. And to make things even more complex, interference with other electrical devices, such as wireless phones or microwaves, will also lead to signal power losses.
Sometimes your Wi-Fi network isn’t working as fast as it used to because a hacker has found out its password, and now it is using it to access the Internet for free. In fact, some people have even gotten legal citations, because a few villains were using their Wi-Fi networks for nefarious purposes.
So how do you regain control and boost the speed of your Wi-Fi network?
- Update your router firmware. It’s so simple, and yet very few people take the time to do it. Simply go to your router manufacturer’s page, download the latest firmware version, and then install it.
Often times, new firmware versions boost security and increase speed, so they’re a no brainer. And while you are here, don’t forget to change the router admin password and the Wi-Fi password – this should give those nasty hackers a hard time. Use a site like Strong Password Generator to come up with a pass that’s strong enough to keep them all at bay.
- Move your router. Move it higher, on top of a cabinet, and closer to the areas that need it most – your home office, for example. Be sure to place it away from walls, any other obstructions or large electronic devices.
If your router has external antennas, be sure to orient them vertically. Of course, if you want to boost Wi-Fi signal in a certain area of your home, you should orient the antennas towards that direction.
- Replace the router antennas. Yes, sometimes the antennas that come with your router are terrible. I understand that router manufacturers need to save money on cheaper router models, but fitting a router with 3dBi antennas isn’t the best way of helping people save money. Researchers at Data Alliance recommend antennas with a gain of 9dBi or more, which can be either purchased or built, and should be good enough for most people’s needs.
- Change the router channel. All modern routers support multiple channels, but many people simply use them on the default (usually #6) channel. As you can imagine, this can cause trouble if there are several routers operating on the same channel, in the same area.
Changing the channel is as easy as logging into your router’s admin panel. More than that, apps like Wifi Analyzer can be installed on your phone, and then show you all the active router channels in the area.
I hope that you like these tips. Apply them all, because they’re guaranteed to boost Wi-Fi signal power, rejuvenating your network.
