Your home Wi-Fi network plays a role in everything that you do. Whether you’re a remote worker who relies on the internet for your job, a gamer who spends hours playing, or a binge-watcher who relies on reliable internet for entertainment, your Wi-Fi network is a major part of your home’s functionality. With the rising popularity of smart-home technology, quality home Wi-Fi is even more important than before. With smart thermostats, lights, faucets, and locks, the internet is at the heart of everything that you do.

With that in mind, you don’t have to be a tech genius to improve your Wi-Fi’s performance. We’ve put together a list of tips that can boost Wi-Fi speed, allowing you to get the most out of this crucial home system.

Understanding the Basics of Your Router

Your router is the heart of your home’s Wi-Fi system, which means you need to at least have a working knowledge of how it works. Most modern routers operate on two frequency bands, each of which serves a unique purpose. The 2.4 GHz band spreads further and handles walls better, while the 5GHz band promotes faster speed over shorter distances. Knowing which band your devices use allows you to make better decisions about performance.

Many newer routers come with technologies like beamforming and MU-MIMO, both of which improve the efficiency of your Wi-Fi signals. If you have a router that’s more than five years old, you may not have this technology. This doesn’t mean that you need to invest in a new router immediately, but it does mean that you should consider whether a small upgrade could resolve some of your connectivity issues.

Most homeowners don’t know that routers need regular updates, just like your smartphone. Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that focus on security vulnerabilities, improve performance, and introduce new features. It’s a good idea to log into your router’s control panel every once in a while to look for updates.

Your Router Placement Guide

You may not know it, but where you place your router has a direct impact on how well the Wi-Fi signal travels through your home. Routers are designed to broadcast signals in all directions, so when you place obstacles around the router, the signal gets disrupted. Try to avoid putting your router on the floor, in a cabinet, or behind furniture. Something as simple as sitting your router on a shelf can boost Wi-Fi speed.

Walls, especially those made of brick, concrete, or metal, can also weaken your connection, as can appliances like microwaves and cordless phones. Experts recommend positioning your router in a central, open location so that it can evenly distribute the signal throughout your home. If you live in a multistory home, try to put your router in a central location on the middle floor.

Improving router placement is one of the best home Wi-Fi tips for beginners. By changing your router’s location, you can often fix your slow internet within minutes.

Managing Network Congestion

Have you ever noticed that your internet seems to be slower when you have a houseful of people, all of whom are scrolling on their phones or watching videos? Network congestion is one of the leading causes of slow internet. The more devices that you have connected to the internet, the harder your router must work to distribute the signal. Even if a device isn’t in use, background updates or app syncing can quietly drain your network’s capacity.

Speaking of guests, consider setting up a separate network for them. Many routers allow you to do this, which makes it easy to keep visitor devices separate from your main system.

You probably have more devices connected to your network than you realize. Take the time to go through your house and look for every connected device, and disconnect those that don’t need to be connected. You can even go into your Quality of Service (QoS) settings in your router and prioritize which devices are the most important. For instance, if you need your laptop to receive a steady connection but have an old tablet that you rarely use, make sure that your computer is higher on the router’s priority list.

Scheduling updates for off-peak hours is another great way to minimize network congestion. Phones, tablets, computers, gaming consoles, and other devices need to be updated, but you can have them download those updates when you don’t need to be online. For instance, schedule all of your updates to take place between midnight and 2 AM, assuming that you’re usually in bed during those hours anyway.

The Link Between Security and Network Performance

Making sure that your network is secure isn’t just about keeping cybercriminals from accessing your personal data. It also plays an important role in improving performance. If an unauthorized user connects to your Wi-Fi network, they consume bandwidth, which slows down your connection. In addition to creating a strong, unique password, enable WPA3 encryption if it’s available to you.

We mentioned evaluating your connected devices when talking about network congestion, but there are also security benefits associated with taking this step. Review your connected device list, and remove any devices that you don’t recognize. Maintaining a secure environment improves your internet speed and your personal data.

Is It Time to Upgrade Your Equipment?

When it comes to improving your home’s Wi-Fi speed, it’s important that you know when it’s time to upgrade your equipment. Internet usage has changed over the years, as more people rely on streaming, smart-home technology, and other systems that rely on the internet. Older routers weren’t designed with these new features in mind, which means they can struggle when tasked with the things you need from your connection.

Fortunately, upgrading doesn’t have to be expensive. Many routers with Wi-Fi 6 technology are very affordable, as are mesh routers that are great for larger homes with tricky layouts. If it’s time for an upgrade, evaluate your options, consider your needs, and invest in a router that can keep up with your household’s current Wi-Fi needs.

You don’t need advanced tech knowledge or costly gadgets to upgrade your internet speed. By understanding how your router works and what you can do to help it work faster, you can enjoy fast, reliable internet from home.

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