The emergence of wireless technology is one of the most crucial developments of humankind as it allows you to connect your smart devices conveniently to the internet without the clutter of any wires. However, despite the advancements made in Wi-Fi technology, some obstacles still exist that limit the range of your network’s signals. In this guide, we will enlighten you about ways in which you can extend your Wi-Fi range and light up all the dead spots in your house with strong wireless signals.
Before we start discussing the ways to boost wireless signals, it is important to check the speed of your connection. To test the speed, visit Ookla’s www.speedtest.net, and find out the exact download and upload speeds. Once you have the results, compare them with your subscribed internet plan to find out how slow your connection is. If your internet is significantly slow, then perform the following steps to enhance your Wi-Fi signals.
Reboot Your Modem and Router
Rebooting your modem and router will reset the network, which can instantly boost the Wi-Fi signals allowing you to connect maximum smart devices. To reboot your internet equipment, simply unplug the modem and router from the electrical socket and wait for 60 seconds. After that, plug the wires back and reconnect your network.
Reposition the Router Antennae
Most routers have flexible antennas so that users can easily tweak them for better connectivity. For instance, CenturyLink internet come provideswith a free internet modem so you can easily connect your devices and enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your house. If you have adjustable router antennas, then position them in a way that they become perpendicular to one another. Most people do not pay attention to such details and they simply position the antennas straight up, which is a wrong practice because it does allow the signals to circulate the entire home. For instance, if you have a multi-story house, then positioning the antennae perpendicularly would allow the signals to travel throughout the place including the first floor, ground floor, and the basement.
Centralize the Router
Since the router transmits radio signals in every direction, it is better to place it in an open space so that it can light up the entire house with strong connectivity. When changing the placement of the router, make sure that the space is clear from metal objects like microwaves, refrigerators, and television sets, etc. Wi-Fi signals do not pass through metal surfaces; instead, they bounce off them. Furthermore, avoid placing the router near a fish tank or an aquarium because water tends to absorb radio Wi-Fi signals.
Protect Your Network
Always use a strong password to protect your network from intruders. If multiple users are connected to your Wi-Fi, then they would consume all the bandwidth, making it impossible for you to stream or download files from the internet. In addition to this, weak passwords attract cybercriminals who can hack into your network and steal your private data. So, keep your network protected at all times and change the Wi-Fi password every 40 days to ensure maximum security.
Change the Security Settings
Login to your router and change the security settings to WPA2, which is Wi-Fi Protected Access 2, instead of using WPA. With WPA2, you can double or even triple your internet speeds, especially if you have been using WEP security in the past. WPA2 is the latest and fastest encryption protocol of wireless networks.
Switch to 5GHz Frequency Band
Nowadays, routers usually have a dual-band frequency, which consists of 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is mostly used for smart devices that do not require high bandwidth. Plus, this band is ideal for gadgets that are located far away from the router because it transmits long-range signals but you will have to compromise on the speed of the internet. The 5GHz band, on the other hand, transmits strong wireless signals that instantly boost your internet speed. However, this band does not have a long long-range, which is why you can only use it if you are near the router.
Update the Router Firmware
Keep your router’s firmware up to date to ensure that the latest security features are installed on your network. In addition to this, the latest firmware also contains fixes to the bugs that were present in the previous version, thus guaranteeing maximum download and upload speeds. Moreover, you should also upgrade the drivers of your computer so that they align with the latest router firmware to give you the best online experience.
Follow the aforementioned steps to speed up your wireless internet and stay tuned to Local Cable Deals to learn more about network tips and tricks.