One moment you're dominating the latest online game while streaming a movie, just the adjacent, you lot can barely load a simple website. Maybe the connection is worse on i device or in a particular part of the house. You lot can't seem to get full internet speed through your router.

If you rely on Wi-Fi for your domicile network, it'due south essential to gear up fluctuating internet speeds and overcome inconsistent Wi-Fi speeds. We'll guide you through the troubleshooting process.

1. Test Your Internet Connectedness

Before investigating your Wi-Fi network, you should dominion out whether the problem lies with your Internet service provider (ISP).

If you have a laptop, computer, or games panel, test your internet connection by plugging your device directly into the router with an Ethernet cablevision.

Using this setup, if the internet nevertheless doesn't piece of work, then it's likely a problem with your Internet service provider. Many providers can perform remote diagnostics, then information technology's worth contacting their support team to get to the bottom of the consequence. Even so, if the cyberspace works then, yous may have a problem with your Wi-Fi network.

If you were trying to access a particular website, use a site like IsUp.me to encounter if the website is down for everyone or just y'all. While even so continued via an Ethernet cable, run a speed test.

This will assist y'all get an idea of the average Wi-Fi download speeds you should be getting on your network. Continue in mind that cabled connections will have higher speeds, and then you should look a pocket-size drop on Wi-Fi-continued devices.

2. Update Your Firmware

As with other areas of your digital life, you should ensure that your router's firmware is up-to-appointment. These updates often come up with many problems fixes along with essential security patches, which can make your Wi-Fi speed faster solve all connection issues.

Make sure to update your firmware earlier diving into whatever further troubleshooting, as it may save you hours of fruitless work. If you were already running the latest firmware, then reboot the router to clear the cache and reset the software.

Likewise, if you're experiencing depression speeds on a particular device, bank check for any outstanding software updates. About connected devices offering arrangement updates and app updates. Information technology'south worth checking all are installed and confirm whether the issue yet exists before continuing to troubleshoot.

3. Switch Wi-Fi Channels

Wi-Fi networks broadcast on many different channels and two split frequency bands. In the United states of america, there are eleven standard Wi-Fi channels, while worldwide, there are unremarkably thirteen. In the early days of wireless networking, routers only broadcast at 2.iv GHz.

However, every bit more of united states of america take come to accept home Wi-Fi networks, the amount of channels has needed to aggrandize. Many modern routers can now broadcast at either 2.4GHz or 5GHz.

While this gives you more options, it'due south always possible that another nearby Wi-Fi network or other electrical equipment is already broadcasting at your network's frequency. Overcrowding a particular frequency may crusade your network to slow downward and could be the root of your Wi-Fi problems.

To rule this out, make certain y'all pick the best Wi-FI channel for your router.

4. Check Bandwidth Consumption

If yous find that your Wi-Fi speeds drop periodically or at certain times of solar day, and so information technology's possible software or other devices are eating away at your bandwidth. Large downloads, video streaming, or online gaming tin be bandwidth hogs, then bank check for these first.

You can detect out who'due south eating your Wi-Fi bandwidth direct from the router or a third-party program. Delving into your router's settings should let you find out which devices are connected to your network. If in that location are whatsoever you don't recognize, then you should remove them.

Malware could also be to blame for your tiresome speeds, so exist sure to enable protection and run an antivirus scan.

5. Optimize Wi-Fi Router Placement

When first setting up your network, your router's position is probably one of the terminal things on your mind. However, the environment around your router can crusade a significant touch on on the quality of your Wi-Fi network.

Although we can't see them, wireless signals are passing all effectually united states of america, only they can become slowed down or, in some cases, blocked entirely. Concrete and metal are and so effective at blocking wireless signals that they are even used in Faraday cages. To get around this, you need to optimize Wi-Fi reception in your home.

And then, if your router is in your concrete-walled basement, you should move it elsewhere in the house. You should also try to position the router in the center of your home. Wi-Fi signals are broadcast in 360 degrees, so it doesn't need to be at ane stop of the house to go the best coverage.

Electric interference from devices similar microwaves and even Christmas lights could also exist one of the reasons your Wi-Fi is then slow.

half-dozen. Tighten Your Network'southward Security

During your investigations, you may accept found suspicious devices connected to your network. In that case, you lot probably removed it from your network. However, this suggests that someone has gained unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network.

This could exist something as innocuous as a neighbor leeching off your network, down to something far more threatening.

In that location are enough of means to configure your router to make your home network really secure. However, at a minimum, you lot should change your router's default admin login. This is often fix to user: admin and password: password. As nearly every router uses these default credentials, they are easy to exploit.

You should also ensure that your Wi-Fi network is secured with a wireless countersign. Most routers have this enabled by default, with the password stuck somewhere on the device itself.

Nonetheless, if you want to change this, log in to your router with your newly created credentials, and y'all tin manually set a new wireless password.

7. Upgrade Former Router Hardware

If you've had the aforementioned router for more a few years, it may be time to consider an upgrade to heave your Wi-Fi signal. Fortunately, you don't have to spend considerable sums on seeing a dramatic improvement.

One of the easiest is to upgrade your router's antenna. Almost routers come up fitted with standard antennas that merely have a limited range. You can buy an aftermarket antenna for equally low equally $ten, and so information technology doesn't have to put a strain on your bank residue either.

If you find that the Wi-Fi signal is weak in some regions of your home, and then it might be worth investing in a Wi-Fi extender. These reasonably affordable devices connect to your network and rebroadcast the signal and so that you can get boosted coverage in those hard-to-reach spots.

Yous don't have to break the bank to invest in one of the all-time Wi-Fi extenders, either.

Get Your Wi-Fi Speed Under Control

It's not always straightforward when it comes to creating the optimal Wi-Fi setup, but it is well worth the endeavor. The next time yous want to play an online game, stream Netflix, or browse the web, you'll be thankful you put the time into optimizing your network.

Keeping your router's hardware and software up-to-appointment, positioning it well, and selecting the best channel will make a globe of divergence to your Wi-Fi speed. That said, even with all these adjustments, yous may still need some performance improvements. Fortunately, there are plenty of Windows tweaks to speed up your connection.

How to Speed Up Your Cyberspace on Windows: 7 Tips and Tweaks

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About The Author

James Frew (297 Articles Published)

James is an experienced technology journalist and was formerly MakeUseOf's Buyer'southward Guide Editor. His goal is to make tech accessible and safe for everyone. While graduated with a BEng in Mechanical Engineering, he's also passionate near mental wellness, sustainability, and music.

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