In the present day, fast and reliable Wi-Fi is needed for everything, from streaming videos to working from home. Yet too many users always find themselves with slower Wi-Fi speeds, which can be frustrating and affect their productivity at work or school. Slow Wi-Fi can render tasks at hand impossible for most, irrespective of whether they are working, studying, or browsing their favorite sites online. Problems with slow Wi-Fi can be solved in plenty of different ways, starting from simple troubleshooting to advanced solutions.
In this guide, we will take a further inspection into what leads to slow Wi-Fi speeds and how to increase the pace and reliability of your wireless network.
Wi-Fi Speed Explained; Why Is It Slow?
Before we get into some solutions, it is important to first understand why slow Wi-Fi occurs at times. Wi-Fi speed is a factor of several elements such as:
- Router Performance: The quality and age of the router heavily affect Wi-Fi speeds. Older routers cannot handle multi-device connections and high-speed Internet.
- Network Congestion: Too many devices connected to the same network can lead to congestion that slows down the speed for everyone.
- Interference from Other Devices: Other wireless devices- like microwaves, cordless telephones, baby monitors- could be interfering with your Wi-Fi signal, especially when they operate on the same frequency with your router.
- Distance from the Router: The more distance between you and the Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal gets which slows down the speed. Thick walls and floors and other physical structures may also weaken the signal.
- Bandwidth Limitations: A few Internet Service Providers limit the amount of bandwidth users can consume, especially if low-data-cap plans are any indication. If you’ve reached these limits, it’s possible for your connection speed to dampen drastically.
- Outdated Firmware or Software: Just like every other device, routers undergo updates, okay? This is software (firmware) in itself. Without these updates, your router may experience suboptimal speed.
- Overloaded Bandwidth: If you are streaming high-definition video, gaming, or downloading large files, these activities take excessive bandwidth and slow down the Wi-Fi connection for other users.
Step 1: Speed Tests: Check Your Internet Speed
Before carrying out any troubleshooting work on the Wi-Fi connection, it is necessary to ascertain where exactly the problem lies: Internet speed itself or merely the Wi-Fi network. For this, a speed check should be in order: run a speed test.
- Use sites like Speedtest.net or Fast.com to check your internet speed.
- Do the test on both wired and Wi-Fi to see if there’s a difference in speeds.
If your speed is considerably lower than you’re paying for, call up your ISP for assistance. If it’s around what you’re expecting-speed-wise, your Wi-Fi probably is the culprit.
Step 2: Reboot Your Router
Restarting your router may sometimes seem a one-swing solution to a slow Wi-Fi connection. Routers have been known to sometimes develop temporary glitches that can slow speeds down over time. Restarting will restore the connection and clear up other possible issues.
To restart the router:
- Unplug the router from its power source.
- Wait for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Plug the router back in and allow it to complete the reboot.
Check to see if the Wi-Fi speed has improved after a restart.
Step 3: Placing the router to optimal effect
Some of the most common reasons for slow Wi-Fi are poor placement of routers. The farther you are away from your router, the more the signal gets weakened. Walls, floors, and furniture might introduce physical obstructions in the path of Wi-Fi signals, further leading to a decrement in signal strengths. For optimum placement of your router:
- Central Positioning of the Router: Place the router as centrally as possible in your house or office. Keep it away from corners and basements.
- Elevate Router: Placing a router higher such as on a highnightstand or shelf allows the signals to be distributed throughout the house evenly.
- Avoid Obstructions: The router should not be placed near thick walls, metal objects, or any appliances that may obstruct signals, such as microwaves or cordless phones.
- Distance from Other Electronics: Set the router away from TVs, baby monitors, radios, or any other electronic device that could be a source of signal interference.
Step 4: Change your Wi-Fi Channel
Wi-Fi signals are sent across various channels. If multiple routers in the same area use the same channel, it can lead to serious congestion and a slowdown in signal. You can avoid this mess by changing your Wi-Fi channel to another less crowded channel:
- Access router settings: Start a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (usually something like 192.168.0.1 OR 192.168.1.1). You would have to sign in with your username and password (if you cannot remember these, consult the manual of the router).
- Find Wi-Fi Channel Settings: In the settings menu, look for options marked “Wi-Fi” or “Wireless Settings.” It is here you shall see an entry allowing you to change the Wi-Fi channel.
- Switch to a Different Wi-Fi Channel: Change to a different, less crowded channel. You can find the least crowded channel in your area with apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer (for Android) or NetSpot (for Mac).
If your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) try 5GHz.
Step 5: Update Your Router’s Firmware
Router firmware is a software that runs your router. If outdated, it can lead to performance issues such as slow Wi-Fi speeds. To enhance your connection, always ensure that your router runs the latest firmware:
- Visit the Router Admin Page: Log in to the settings on your router as described before.
- Check for Firmware Updates: Seek a “Firmware” or “System Update” section in the settings. If an update appears, follow the on-screen instructions to install the update.
- Reboot Router: Once you update it, the next step is to reboot the router.
Step 6: Choose the Correct Wi-Fi Band
Wi-Fi routers generally support two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each band has its advantages and drawbacks.
- 2.4 GHz: This band provides extended range, yet it is more prone to interference from other devices such as microwaves and baby monitors. This band is also more congested, with many older devices only handling this frequency.
- 5 GHz: This band is less congested and tends to give faster speeds, but it covers less area than the 2.4 GHz. Ideal for smaller homes and usage in close proximity to the router.
If your router supports dual-band Wi-Fi, you can connect to the 5 GHz band for faster speeds. Log in to the router settings and check to ensure both bands are enabled. Then, select the appropriate band on your device.
Step 7: restrict related gadgets
Too many gadgets related at the identical wi-fi community can appreciably gradual down the proper functioning of the community. Whilst multiple people are streaming motion pictures, gaming, or downloading massive files simultaneously, the bandwidth is congested.
To resolve this issue, perform the following steps:
- Disconnect unused gadgets: put off gadgets that aren’t the use of the wireless connection, like smart speakers, telephones, and pills that are simply lying around and not getting used.
- Decrease heavy facts usage: big downloads or video streaming may be accomplished off-height hours if viable.
- Improve your plan: take into account upgrading your internet plan to 1 with greater bandwidth if the community runs slowly because of a variety of gadgets running on the same time.
Step 8: Join through cable
If the wireless remains gradual, you may troubleshoot through attempting a wired connection. Such cables will will let you connect to the internet a good deal quicker, as with the aid of cable, the signal could also be very stable. For devices that take delivery of it, join your kit directly via ethernet to the router to hurry up the relationship.
For desk bound gadgets like computing device computer systems or gaming consoles, it really works a whole lot higher through ethernet, as any problems with wireless would typically be removed thru ethernet.
Step 9: Test for malware or viruses
Malware and viruses can also gradual down your internet connection. In case your device has been inflamed with malware, it could be eating bandwidth and thereby sluggish down the wi-fi cap. For the reason that each isp has its own formats for the scanning to affirm the legitimacy of security claims about the need for malware scans, the scanning flights range tremendously. Run a complete gadget scan with a reputable antivirus software application to have a observe any malware that could be threatening the network performance.
Step 10: Restoring manufacturing facility settings
If not one of the preceding steps labored, reset your router to manufacturing facility settings. Resetting your router will eliminate issues as a result of an incorrect configuration or any corrupt settings.
To reset your router:
- discover reset button: most routers smartphone a small reset button this is easily driven in with a pin or paperclip.
- press and hold the button: preserve this down for approximately 10-30 seconds till you notice a reset at the router.
- reconfigure the router: as soon as the router has reset, reconnect to it and log in.
Step 11: Call your net provider issuer
When you have exhausted all alternatives and are nonetheless having gradual speeds, it is probably time to touch your isp. They will let you diagnose issues to your connection inclusive of community congestion or problems together with your modem or router.
They will probably suggest you upgrade your net plan or suggest different gadget for higher speeds.
Conclusion
All in all, sluggish wi-fi can be a nuisance, but with some troubleshooting, you could considerably improve your connection velocity. Rebooting your router, converting its function, or upgrading your gadget are some of the approaches sluggish wi-fi solutions may be implemented.
With proper perception into elements influencing wireless overall performance and making use of these answers, experience a great deal faster, strong net speeds in your streaming, gaming, work, and the whole thing else in among