Troubleshooting Slow Wi-Fi: A Complete Guide

 

Fast internet with a stable Wi-Fi connection is mandatory in this digital world. Slow Wi-Fi speeds also repel work, entertainment, and communication, fueling great frustrations. If you stream Netflix, work from home or just casually browse the etch, slow internet can hinder productivity. In this guide, I will take you through the best troubleshooting steps to find and fix issues that are slowing down your Wi-Fi speed.

Check Your Internet Speed

At first, knowing what internet speed you are currently having is very important before we get to the troubleshooting part. Use Speedtest by Ookla for the best results. Perform a speed test on one device connected to Wi-Fi and one device connected directly to the modem (if possible). Do compare to your internet plan for these speed. If you are registering the speed your ISP (Internet Service Provider) promises, the problem is your plan, and you should look to upgrade. But if your numbers are below par, it’s time to dig deeper.

Reboot Your Router and Modem

A lot of connectivity issues can be fixed with a simple reboot of your router and modem. Performing these actions clears the cache on these devices, thus improving performance by removing temporary glitches. You can do this by unplugging your modem and router, and then plugging them back in after 30 seconds, and allowing a few minutes for the modem communication. After this process, check whether the Wi-Fi speed increases or not.

Reduce Device Overload

The Wi-Fi speed can be very much dependent on the number of devices linked to each network. All bandwidth-consuming gadgets, be it smart home devices, laptops, smartphones, etc. When too many devices are connected — especially at peak hours, it can slow down your Wi-Fi. If you are troubleshooting, try disconnecting or limiting the devices to see if performance improves.

Check for Interference

Deviations can also arise due to the Wi-Fi signal being obstructed by walls, ceilings, furniture, and electronic devices nearby to the signal. Things like microwaves, cordless phones, and Bluetooth devices can disrupt the Wi-Fi signal. That's all right, but there is a very thick wall and floor between router and you when you use the internet at a distance; thicken those walls will reduce signal strength. Boost Your Router Signal: Try to keep the router in the middle-most area of your house and at a higher place and away from any electronic device that would create a struggle for the signal to cover. The other thing to do is consider the 5 GHz band, which is usually less congested than 2.4 GHz, but it has a smaller area of coverage.

Update Router Firmware

Router firmware updates usually contain optimizations that could enhance both Wi-Fi performance and security. Make sure your router is not obsolete by logging into its admin settings (typically via a web browser) and confirming that its firmware is up to date. Find the “Firmware Update” or “System Update” option, and update if required. Updating the Firmware of Your Router One way to ensure that your router is running best is to keep up on any firmware updates available for it.

Optimize Wi-Fi Channels

Now, you most likely have a number of neighboring Wi-Fi networks, so these Wi-Fi routers function on channels, and if much too numerous of your neighbors are utilising the same channel, it leads to interference, which slows down your connection. Even though most routers pick the best channel automatically, you sometimes need to manually change it to get a better performance. Download a Wi-Fi analyzer app to see what channels are being used by the people that live nearest to you, and change your router to a less congested channel if required.

Get a Wi-Fi Extender or Mesh Network

In larger homes and in multi-story homes, you may be far away from your router in some rooms, and if your Wi-Fi signal is weak in your home, a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh network may help. Wi-Fi extenders relay your router signal, mesh networks are multiple nodes working together to fill your home with solid Wi-Fi coverage. Each of those options, however, can help get rid of dead zones with improved speeds in other areas of the house.

Secure Your Network

Having no passwords means that nemesis users will connect to this network and decrease the bandwidth for valid devices. Make sure your Wi-Fi is protected by a strong password and WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 if WPA3 isn't available yet). Schedule regular password changes and also examination of connected gadgets to find unauthorized users. Alongside increasing speed, it also fortifies network security.

Use Ethernet for devices that are particularly bandwidth intensive

If you have devices which require a lot of bandwidth, such as a gaming console or smart TV, consider connecting to wired Ethernet rather than using Wi-Fi. By using Ethernet connections, which are generally faster and more stable than wireless connections, you can reduce lag and buffering for activities that require a stable connection.

Get in Touch With Internet Service Provider (ISP)

If you have done all of the above and your Wi-Fi band is still slow, you should contact your ISP. They can assist you with troubleshooting from their end, or verify if there is any network outage or any technical problem in your region. Sometimes, ISP will have to replace the legacy equipment or modify your plan to maximize the speed.

Final Thoughts

Fixing slow Wi-Fi usually necessitates multiple tweaks. Any one of these factors can improve the speed of your Internet, from optimizing placement of routers, to minimizing use on one device. If you keep an eye on your network, are sure to update that router every now and then, and take some security precautions, you should be good to go for a long time. By troubleshooting it in the right way, you can have a speedy and stable Wi-Fi experience across the home or workspace.

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