Few things in life can send a completely sensible person into a rage-filled stupor as much as a slow internet connection can.
The image of a broken connection or “no networks available” message is enough to make most of us feel hopeless.
But the good news is, most of the time, it’s a simple fix to get your wireless back up and running smoothly. We’ll share some of the easiest things you can do to ensure you maintain better-quality WiFi connectivity throughout your home. The best news — these solutions won’t make you time-poor!
1. Move Your Router
If you have your WiFi system installed by a professional, they should know the ideal location to place your router. But if you’re continually experiencing little to no internet connectivity in certain rooms of your home, the site of your router may be a problem.
Because your wireless connection uses radio waves, if your router is placed in a far corner of your house or encased in say a wooden cabinet, it has a lot of obstacles to get through to give you the coverage you’re looking for. Instead of creating more work for your router and lessening signal strength, try moving your router to a centralized location without any outward blockage (i.e., cabinets, walls, etc.) to get better reception.
2. Change The Channel
Along with physical barriers, the radio waves your WiFi is transmitting can become bogged down when the channel or frequency they are using becomes too crowded. So, let’s say you live in an apartment building with lots of other units surrounding yours, and all of those people are using the same frequency to run their WiFi as you. Slow connectivity is usually the result. To improve your wifi speed, try using a free tool like NetSpot to check out wireless networks and which channels are at capacity nearby. Armed with the info of what your neighbors’ are using, you can choose to switch to a less congested channel.
3. Reboot Your Router
Recently upgraded your internet speed package but aren’t getting the speed you’ve paid for? It’s a great time to test out a reset of your router. It helps to see your router is the hardware and within it, you have built-in software that keeps the whole thing running. Sometimes the outside hardware and software stop communicating correctly, causing a host of different problems such as slow connection speed and poor signal strength. To get both the hardware and software re-synced, try resetting your router by first locating the reset button, which is usually found on the back or underside of your router. Then, press and hold the reset button for at least 15 seconds before releasing it. This should bring it back to its factory default setting, and allow it to perform at optimal levels once again.
4. Guard Your WiFi Password
One sure-fire way to slow down your internet connectivity is to leave your WiFi network unprotected. Not having a secure connection allows anyone full access to your online activity not to mention can create major bandwidth consumption rates. So, whether you need to figure out how to find your WiFi password or need help updating it to a more secure one, check out Cox’s handy guide. Most routers come with passwords that are set by the manufacturer and, therefore, can potentially be well-known and easy to access by hackers. Resetting your router and WiFi passwords is like changing the locks to your house after you buy it — necessary to keep you and your information protected.
Troubleshoot On Your Terms
WiFi connectivity issues are fairly common and can bring your day-to-day life to a grinding halt. But slow internet speeds no longer have to stand in the way of your to-do lists. Try these simple fixes first to see if your WiFi system can be adjusted without needing a service call or returning one of its components so you can get on with your day!