Life without reliable Internet access resembles a driver without a car. In the digital age, when information is being transmitted and received at a fast pace, reliable access to the World Wide Web is important in almost any circumstance. So, now Wi-Fi is in great demand, becoming along with the usual household interior, since it allows you to access and recommend it almost instantly - just remove the phone from your jacket pocket or turn on the PC.
Regardless of the availability of information, connections can last for hours, slow down, or even be interrupted. Who would like to expect a tab to load? However, there are 14 different ways to increase the speed of a Wi-Fi router in your home. Each of these tricks can be done using materials that you probably already have on hand. To improve the transfer of data to devices, try one or more of the following tips.
Choose a good location
Not all locations are equally suitable for a stable signal. It is recommended not to place the router near metal objects or devices that emit electromagnetic waves. Keep the device at a safe distance from electrical wires. Internet network signals are not able to penetrate completely through walls, doors and other objects, so place the equipment approximately in the center of the house to increase the speed of Wi-Fi Internet on the router.
Use the hills
Antennas propagate the signal in such a way that locally it is directed sideways and down. Accordingly, the lower the router is, the more obstacles are facing the increase in the distribution speed of the Wi-Fi router. Raise it above the floor, put on a shelf, a high nightstand or install near the ceiling, preferably in an open space.
Keep your router updated
If you follow the news, you have probably heard of the growing number of large-scale malware attacks that cost businesses and individuals billions each year. Most hacks would be preventable. It is enough to approach responsible for installing new drivers in advance. Viruses that infected your equipment act instantly, passing through the protection system, and spread over the network to other connected devices.
It also happens that you pay for fast home Internet and feel that you are not getting the desired result. If it's been several years since you purchased your router, it may be time to upgrade it. Wireless technology has changed a lot over the last decade, and many devices aged 5 or more do not support most of the new drivers. They probably also will not be able to provide a connection over 100 Mbps.
However, even if you regularly check for updates, but there is no result, the point is in the old firmware. In such cases, it is recommended to purchase a 4G router that demonstrates the highest performance - up to 1 Gb / s.
Replace antenna
Routers are often manufactured compact so that customers can put the equipment in a convenient place. However, this is how manufacturers save on device functionality. Indeed, a standard antenna is approximately 10 cm long and has a gain of up to 4 dB, while a higher one reaches a mark of 40 cm at a speed of 10 dB.
If you do not mind the size, then such a recommendation on how to increase the speed of a Wi-Fi router is a great option for an effective connection. All routers use the same RP-SMA connector, so the purchase can occur both in a specialized store and online - just familiarize yourself with the characteristics you are interested in.
Get rid of unknown connections
An encrypted, password-protected device for accessing the Internet is considered mandatory at present, as more and more people crave open and fast networks, which are also free. Do not have hopes that the neighbors will not take this opportunity, since they have a router at home.
Secure yourself with a strong password that cannot be guessed with an elementary set of numbers. If friends or relatives often come to you, you should create a separate guest network, since this will limit the range of connection distribution. Remember to change your password once every six months.
Buy amplifier
Network signals are distributed unevenly from the antenna, which is why the connection is unstable. If your device is in a corner, it is recommended to use its one tip, which allows you to answer the question of how to increase the speed of a Wi-Fi router. Repeaters receive the connection, amplifying, and then distribute it throughout the room. The installation process takes a few minutes and usually involves just a click of the WPS button. Some are designed to work with a special booster application that simplifies fine-tuning the router itself.
The cost of the amplifier ranges from 1500 rubles and above, depending on the characteristics. However, if at the moment you do not have enough savings, you can take advantage of an effective life hack by directing the connection in the necessary direction.
Make a diagnosis
Currently, there are many mobile applications available to check the speed of a Wi-Fi router throughout the home. One of them is SpeedTest. The program will help you find the perfect place for networking equipment.
It is also recommended that you change the wireless channels in order to minimize interference from neighboring signals outside the apartment. This will be facilitated by the Wi-Fi stumbler software. Free installation will reveal the optimal network for better signal reception. When purchasing additional paid options, accuracy increases.
Remove restrictions
If you do not know how to increase speed through a Wi-Fi router without resorting to purchasing additional components, then a high-bandwidth application is suitable for you to stabilize loading and unloading while connecting from different devices.
Modern routers support services such as QoS (Quality of Service), which allows users to prioritize some applications over others. Thanks to QoS, your online gaming session will never be interrupted by someone who watches 1080p video on YouTube or downloads a huge torrent file from the Internet.
Point the antennas in different directions
Now there are modern routers with two connection points. The equipment is supposedly installed in large apartments, where it is more difficult to transmit a signal. As the owner of two antennas, position them so that they look in opposite directions from each other. Use specific applications to determine which one provides the best transmission. It is assumed that one router antenna points outward vertically and the other outwards horizontally.
Use less loaded channel
If you live in a crowded area or in an apartment with your family, then you use the same signal space. This leads to system overload, braking, blackouts and low speed through a Wi-Fi router. Choosing the right channel can reduce interference and help speed things up a bit.
Network connections 1, 6 and 11 are most commonly used in the 2.4 GHz spectrum. The fact is that they are the only three channels that do not overlap. If you switched to 5 GHz, choosing the model of equipment with the necessary characteristics, then you will have a wider choice.
Use applications such as Wifi Analyzer on Android or WifiInfoView on Windows to analyze nearby wireless signals. The program also provides the ability to test the speed of Wi-Fi routers and see which channels are used most often. On Mac devices, a similar feature is built-in. Just hover over the mouse and click on the Wi-Fi icon, choosing "Open Wireless Network Diagnostics" from the menu bar. After the computer restarts, the settings are saved automatically.
Get a new one
The modern IEEE 802.11ac wireless technology offers superior download and upload speeds, as well as an improved range compared to older devices such as IEEE 802.11b, g and others. You can do without a full purchase by ordering only parts for improving home equipment. Before you begin, you need to make sure that your home router supports connections with smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Go to 5 GHz
Probably one of the problems that you have not noticed is the frequency of the device. After a long-awaited purchase, rarely does anyone look at the text of the box, skipping a lot of details that make it possible to figure out how to increase the speed of a Wi-Fi router by switching it from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.
Electronics at home affects the frequency and can cause difficulty in the Internet. Bluetooth, wireless peripherals and even some microwaves create a lot of noise in the 2.4 GHz band. Therefore, to reduce the effects of waves, consider reconnecting from one frequency to another.
To do this, just open the properties of the router through the admin panel and find the line. If it is not, your device does not support this type and needs to purchase a new version, for example, a modern 4g router. It provides higher data rates over short distances and is generally less busy than the 2.4 GHz wireless frequency.
Restart your computer
The advice may seem simple, however, some users forget that they are sitting at a computer that accumulates information. Sometimes it’s enough to turn the computer off and on to significantly increase the speed of Wi-Fi. Rebooting clears the memory of the router and allows you to install updates.
Contact your ISP
If all else fails and the connection still works poorly, consider calling the company hotline. Yes, this can be an unpleasant way out of the situation, as it will require an additional call from a specialist, time and money. However, it should be remembered that giving the consideration of the problem to another person who is versed in this area is much easier than understanding it yourself. So you get rid of possible disappointment.
The specialist will check the health of the computer, the router and the integrity of the cable. You can also agree to increase the speed by re-signing the contract. If the matter is any other problem, the provider will diagnose and solve the problem as quickly as possible. True, all this requires a certain monetary outlay.
Conclusion
With the above recommendations, you should not have problems with how to configure the speed of a Wi-Fi router without buying a new router. Make sure the data transfer verification application is at your fingertips to instantly check the result. You can continue to follow the tips until they help. One way or another, one of the items is guaranteed to work. Your Wi-Fi will be faster than ever before.