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All you need to do is connect the WiFi booster to your router by pressing the WPS button and follow the app’s instructions. The purpose of WiFi boosters is to extend an existing WiFi signal to areas where it can’t reach. Most WiFi boosters are designed to be plug and play, making it possible for anyone to install them on their own to enjoy a strong and reliable WiFi signal everywhere. Sometimes, a single router — no matter how capable — can’t reliably cover the entire living space with a strong WiFi signal. In such cases, it’s best to set up a mesh WiFi system, which consists of the main router and multiple satellite units that together provide seamless WiFi coverage.
Her work has also been featured on Top Ten Reviews, MacSources, Windows Central, Android Central, Best Company, TechnoFAQ, and iMore. You can find every internet provider in your area and compare internet speeds and prices by entering your zip code in the box below. Your router may come with a home networking app like NETGEAR Genie, TP-Link Tether, or Xfinity xFi that can show you what devices are connected to your network. If you have an app like this, you could easily find errant connections and disconnect them without having to disrupt your whole Wi-Fi network. If your router is in the best location but you’re still having speed or connectivity issues in certain areas of your home, you may need to extend your network’s range. Whatever Wi-Fi frequency band you’re on may be experiencing some temporary interference, so try switching to the other band.
Set Up a Mesh WiFi System
Don’t call a professional just yet because you can boost WiFi in your home in many ways. Even if your router is new, you might have some ancient devices that are falling back to older, slower standards. If you bought a PC within the last couple of years, you likely have an 802.11ac wireless adapter, or at least 802.11n. But the older your devices, the less likely they are to have modern tech built in. However, if you upgrade to a new router with the latest 802.11ac standard, you get support for 1Gbps.
If the everything seems okay, try running the test again wirelessly, standing right next to the router. If you get similarly good speeds next to the router, but not elsewhere in the house, then your Wi-Fi coverage may be to blame. If your internet is still slow standing right next to the router, you may have some outdated gear that needs an upgrade. If you feel like your Wi-Fi has gotten sluggish, there are many tools you can use to test the speed of your internet. There are also a few tricks you can try to troubleshoot your network issues. However, if the only way you can get decent reception is by standing next to your wireless router, these simple tips can help optimize your network.
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The distance between the device and the access point and the number of devices using your Wi-Fi network will also impact connection speed. Even simple things like adjusting the height of your router off the floor can impact its performance. The more users on the tower, the lower your data rates will be.
Often, moving your device closer to your router or point will result in improved speeds. Check out our top recommended internet providers or use our zip finder below to see what your options are in your area. You should be able to easily change your Wi-Fi frequency from your router settings. Especially if you tend to watch data-heavy media like videos on your TV, cable connections are best. If you have a modem separate from your router, reset that too.
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The current standard for routers is 802.11ac, and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is gaining ground. If you run a router on standard 802.11g or 802.11b, you can't do much to improve it. Even speedier 802.11n routers can't keep up with the ac (Wi-Fi 5) and ax (Wi-Fi 6) standards.
Some routers have the update process built-in, but most older models require you to find the update and download it from the equipment manufacturer. Having dozens of things tapping into the Wi-Fi at once can be problematic. Plug anything you can into Ethernet, and unplug anything you have connected but don't need (like that "smart" tea kettle you never once got to work). For this reason it's worth considering the look of your router when purchasing.
Discover space-saving designs that deliver amazing performance with touchscreen capabilities in the latest All-in-One PCs with Intel® Core™ processors. Some of the most popular mesh WiFi systems available today come from TP-Link, Netgear and Eero, and we offer some recommendations later in this article. What’s great about mesh WiFi systems in general is that you can expand them depending on your needs. This means that you can start with just one main router and one satellite unit and upgrade only if your WiFi is still not performing up to your expectations.
They consist of multiple units that can be independently positioned to form a single network. On its own, the Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 can cover up to 3,500 sq. You can also take advantage of multiple Gigabit ports and a single 2.5 Gbps Multi-Gig LAN port to directly connect your most demanding devices. Affordable WiFi 6 routers are still fairly hard to come by, but the TP-Link Archer AX21 is a welcome exception. Because the extender supports WiFi 6, it performs well even in highly congested areas.
Firmware updates might improve your router’s overall performance. Search online for your router’s model to see if there are any updates listed on the manufacturer’s website. If you find an update, log in to your router on a new browser window and find an option labeled “Firmware Updates” or something similar. Install the file on your router and let it update completely before trying out your wifi again. Not only are the speeds better, but using an ethernet cord is also a good way to get around network interference and distance limits. You can easily reach 300 feet with an ethernet cable without your speeds decreasing.
A simple, inexpensive plug-in range extender like this one from TP-Link might be all it takes to boost a better signal to your home office. Among your options, the Ookla Speedtest is the most widely used and the one I'd recommend starting with. It features an abundance of worldwide servers, which lets you choose from several nearby options to measure the speed of your connection.
When several people use the same Wi-Fi connection, Quality-of-Service comes into play. You can specify which apps and services receive priority, and set priorities for different times of the day. QoS prevents streaming video from degrading when everyone in your house decides to download files or play their favorite video games at once. They can still download their files and play games, just at a slower rate, so that you can enjoy your movie. Therange of a typical Wi-Fi networkoften doesn't cover an entire house.
Remember how cordless phones could pick up noise from a baby monitor or the neighbor’s cordless phone? While this doesn’t happen as much anymore thanks to technology upgrades and more channels to choose from, this same type of tech glitch can occur with wireless routers. When you use a router for the first time, it often downloads the most recent software update automatically.
Keep the router on a shelf.
Line-of-sight between your work area and your router is important, but it doesn't matter if there are several dampening appliances near the router. If your router is at a lower level that the level at which you use your computer, phone, tablet, and so on, you'll probably run into Internet connection issues. Like a freeway, your Wi-Fi network can only handle a certain amount of traffic before it slows down. If possible, make sure that your computer is the only connection to your router; this will give you the best Internet results.
Mesh systems use multiple routers to make a consistent signal. Plug one of the mesh system devices into the back of your router to connect it to your network. Place the remaining mesh devices throughout your home wherever you’re having trouble connecting to the Internet.
