No one likes slow Wi-Fi. Slow WiFi can lead to creaky doors and leaking faucets, making it one of the most frustrating household problems. To get your WiFi speed back up to speed, try making the following adjustments to your router or other devices:
We’ve already talked about some of the hardware upgrades you can invest in to eliminate dead spots and improve upload and download speeds in your home. Therefore, this guide will focus on software modifications and changes made to existing equipment. If these tweaks don’t work, you can also improve your wireless internet speed by switching to a mesh network or purchasing a WiFi extender.
Upgrade your router software
Just like laptops and cell phones, routers run their own software. In this case, the firmware is called firmware because it is closely tied to the hardware. Manufacturers install and configure firmware before shipping devices. Companies don’t often issue firmware updates for their routers, but many do make new versions of their software available for download. These updates fix bugs and may include performance upgrades and additional support for new devices on the market.
The best way to find new firmware for your router is to visit the manufacturer’s website or the Internet service provider that provided your router. If you can’t find the download link, perform a web search using “firmware” followed by your router’s make and model.
The exact process for installing firmware varies by router. Typically, you open the device settings on your computer and look for an option that allows you to install updates from a file you downloaded to your hard drive (usually a ZIP archive). The downloaded package usually includes installation instructions, but if you still don’t know the steps, refer to your router’s instruction manual or search online for instructions.
Change wireless channel
Another trick to try with slow routers is to change the wireless channel the router uses. This means slightly adjusting the wireless frequency on which your WiFi signal is broadcast. Your router must have settings that allow you to change channels. It’s probably listed under a heading like: wireless or advanced. If you can’t find it right away, look up instructions online or in your router’s manual.
Most routers use channel 6 By default.Change this to 1 or 11 (to minimize interference with Channel 6), you may notice improved WiFi performance. All connected devices will also need to connect to this new channel, but most will connect automatically and you won’t need to adjust your WiFi name or password. You may have to experiment a bit to arrive at the channel that works best for you, but for the best chance of getting the fastest speeds, stick to 1, 6, or 11.
[Related: 6 router settings you should change right now]
A related trick is that some more advanced routers offer two frequency bands: a standard 2.4 GHz band and a faster 5 GHz band. These bands follow the same principles as the channels above, but switching between bands shifts the frequency further. This means that WiFi-enabled devices connected to different bands won’t interfere with each other.
If your router supports dual bands (check your model’s manual for details), you will usually see two different WiFi networks that you can connect to. Split your devices into both networks depending on the speed and range each hardware needs from her WiFi. For example, the 5 GHz band typically has faster speeds but shorter range, so devices closer to your router should use it. It allows you to stream Spotify songs to your gaming console more reliably, but it doesn’t have the same ability to pass through walls and doors as the older 2.4GHz standard. Use the latter for devices that move around the house, such as phones, or are located far from the router, and you should see faster WiFi speeds on all your devices.
Although not all routers can handle both bands, most routers manufactured in recent years support these standards. If your WiFi speeds aren’t optimal on either band and you see the buffering wheel more often than you want, you can still change the wireless channel you use in the 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz range. Check your router’s help page for more information about your options.
Control your bandwidth
Using the Internet can quickly exhaust your available bandwidth, especially on slow connections or connections shared by multiple people. So if you’re having trouble getting decent speeds, try investigating what else is going on on your network. For example, running Netflix alongside Hulu while making multiple video calls probably isn’t the best way to maximize streaming speed.
While you’re at work, check your internet speed by visiting a site like Speedtest.net to see what your current speed is. But taking steps to increase these speeds means you need to patrol the specific uses of your home’s WiFi network, and that’s up to the people you live with. The easiest solution to achieve maximum speed is to turn off devices that are not currently in use. This not only saves you money on energy bills, but also ensures that your computer, TV, or tablet doesn’t waste bandwidth needed for other applications. You can also delve into individual device settings to see which apps are using her WiFi the most.
[Related: Find the perfect internet speed for you]
At the same time, you need to make sure that no unwelcome visitors or intrusive neighbors are lurking on your home network. Your router should already have WiFi password protection enabled. Keeping this password secret and changing it regularly will help keep your network secret from yourself and your invited guests.
Another option is to specify which Internet you use most. Some routers include a feature called Quality of Service (QoS) that allows them to prioritize certain applications (such as Netflix) or content types (such as video) over others. You can use this to make sure your video calls are stable even if your Spotify stream is unstable. Some routers allow you to prioritize certain devices (perhaps your computer) over others (perhaps your roommate’s device). If your router has a QoS feature, refer to the manufacturer’s website or the included manual for instructions on configuring your router and telling it your priorities.
Avoid aquariums (and other large, dense objects).
A lot of harmless household items, like water in your aquarium, will slow down your WiFi. Now you know why I can’t receive a signal when my laptop is behind the aquarium in my den. Even if you don’t have fish in your home, move your furniture and try to keep as few objects (like walls) between your device and your router as possible.
In addition to bulky objects, anything that emits a wireless signal can interfere with the WiFi broadcast by your router. This includes wireless baby monitors, wireless landlines, microwaves, Bluetooth keyboards and mice, and even string lights. All of these can create electromagnetic interference and slow down your upload and download speeds. Most of the time, interruptions will be minimal, but keep this in mind if you run into problems. Rearranging the aforementioned items can increase his WiFi speed throughout the house, but if that solution is inconvenient, switch your router to his 5GHz channel. Most microwaves and other wireless devices use his 2.4GHz frequency, so the higher bands should be less crowded.
This story has been updated. The first edition was published in 2017.
