Understanding the basics of router operation will help you solve some problems.
“Think of routers like electronic traffic cops,” says Richard Fisco, who oversees electronics testing at Consumer Reports.
Connecting to a modem provided by your Internet service provider (ISP) directs Internet access throughout your home, allowing devices such as your laptop, phone, and television to work wirelessly.
If your WiFi connection is noticeably slow, you may be tempted to dismiss your current router as a waste. However, don’t be too impatient. Other factors may be involved.
First, look at your bill from your ISP to see what level of broadband you’re paying for. For example, streaming Netflix in his 4K requires a connection of at least 15 Mbit/s. So if you don’t at least pay for that, or don’t have access to such speeds where you live, a brand new router is useless.
You can easily run a speed test using a service like fast.com to see real-world results. You may want to run this test several times. First, run it with your laptop connected to your router to see the best-case scenario speeds. You can then take the laptop and move it to different parts of the house to check the speed of his WiFi in different places.
Next, evaluate your router placement. Placing it in the center of your home tends to work best as it allows the WiFi signal to reach in all directions. A router hidden in a corner may not be able to reach the other side of the house, or from the second floor to the basement, because the signal degrades the further away it is from its source.
If your router is in a less-than-optimal location (such as a closet or basement), try moving it. One method is to purchase a long Ethernet cable (keep it under 300 feet), connect it to your modem and router, and move the router yourself. Alternatively, you can ask your ISP to help you move your modem, but they may charge you a fee for the effort. Fisco says if you’re planning to change providers, ask while negotiating the switch, as they may do it for free.
If your router is already in a central location, your slow connection may be due to obstructions in your home that can interfere with your WiFi signal. To address such issues, try moving the router around the room.
If these adjustments don’t help, it may be time to find a model that better suits your needs, especially if you’re using a single-unit router in a multi-story home.
