In the days of streaming services, WFH routines, and virtual learning, a home network is an essential aspect of the modern household. It can also be a source of great consternation for many people. Let’s explore six tips through which you can upgrade your home’s Wi-Fi network to make it more efficient and hassle-free.
1. Find the Ideal Router Location
Walls, furniture, and even home decor are obstacles that interfere with network signals. The perfect location can make a dramatic difference in signal strength and internet speeds. The wrong location can result in low speeds, dropped connections, and other poor performance. The challenge here is that the ideal location is unique to every home. This is a reason many experts recommend a router shelf installed relatively high on a wall. That allows the signals to move through space with fewer obstacles in the way.
2. Use Ethernet Cables Whenever Practical
Wi-Fi adapters continue to become faster and more stable. That said, we’re still a long way from them matching a traditional wired connection. Whenever possible, use an Ethernet cable rather than a wireless connection. Docks make it easy to have hardwired connections for laptops and other devices that you keep close to the router. For devices further away, consider running Ethernet cables behind your walls to outlets with integrated ports.
3. Limit Congestion
Think of your home network as a highway that can only handle so many vehicles at a time. If there’s congestion, it causes poor performance. Ensure that your router supports enough simultaneous connections. Most routers support at least 15 to 20 devices. That’s good enough for the average home, but you need more. Enable the 5GHz band if you have it. Ensure that devices that support it use it. In addition, test the various router channels to see which is best for your home. Typically, it will be channel 1, 6, or 11.
4. Upgrade Your Router
The quality of your router, including how much memory and processing power it has, can make a big difference. Many users cause themselves headaches by purchasing an economy model. Other uses experience problems because they rely on the router-modem combination unit provided by their ISPs. While there are exceptions, these units are usually underperformers.
5. Explore Options for Extending Your Network
Some brands market network repeaters and extenders as cure-alls. While they can work, they’re often inefficient solutions. Sometimes, it’s just better to buy a second or even third router. For very large homes, you’re likely better off investing in a mesh network.
6. Keep Your Software Updated
Monitor for router firmware and software updates and update as soon as possible. Keep your operating systems and applications updated as well. Many programs support automatic updating. This takes the inconvenience out of having to check for updates and do it yourself.
Consider scheduling a consultation with an IT company that provides residential services. They can help you with equipment upgrades, location, and other aspects of network configuration. A third-party company will be independent of your ISP and provide advice in your best interest.
