If you want to make your home a powerful Wi-Fi zone, there are two main things you need to look at. The first is your Wi-Fi security and the second is the Wi-Fi range. You should frequently change your WiFi password to ensure unwanted guests are not using it. I’m so paranoid that I change my Cox Wi-Fi password every two weeks. No harm in being extra careful!
If more people are using your Wi-Fi, your internet speeds are going to be lower. But changing your Wi-Fi password is not enough to make your home a powerful Wi-Fi zone. This blog post will give you some helpful tips to make your Wi-Fi stronger.
6 Ways to Strengthen Your Wi-Fi
Sometimes it’s not enough to maintain your Wi-Fi security. Since Wi-Fi signals weaken when they go through walls, you also need to strengthen them. Even if your internet speeds are strong, it wouldn’t matter if the Wi-Fi signals are weak. You would still have trouble browsing and streaming.
Here are a few things you can do to maintain a strong Wi-Fi zone:
- Find the Best Place for Your Router
- Replace Your Antenna
- Use Range Extenders
- Control Internet Usage
- Update Your Router
- Use Higher Frequencies
#1. Find the Best Place for Your Router
This might seem like something unimportant. But the fact is that changing the position of your router can make a big difference. Wi-Fi works by sending signals to your device. These signals aren’t as strong as you might think. They usually have a short optimal range. After that, they weaken considerably. Additionally, walls can dampen the signals as well.
The ideal place for your router is in the center of your home or apartment. Or if that’s too difficult to find, then a nice open space like your living room will do. But make sure that it is not in a corner or close to the windows. You need to make sure that the Wi-Fi signals are strong(ish) even on the far corners of your house.
#2. Replace Your Antenna
One way to increase your Wi-Fi range is by changing the antennas on your router. Most new routers have internal antennas. If yours is the same, connecting an external one will boost your range. For best results, get one that is omnidirectional. Omnidirectional antennas can send signals in all directions.
If you know exactly where your Wi-Fi dead spots are, you can also get directional antennas. You will be able to direct their signals towards the dead spots. Something that will not be possible if you’re using omnidirectional antennas.
#3. Use Range Extenders
If the Wi-Fi dead spot is a larger area then replacing the antennas might not work. You might have to invest in range extenders. You can place one or two range extenders around your house. What they do is replicate the signal of your Wi-Fi router.
So by placing a couple of them throughout your house, you can get rid of the dead spots. But it is still best to place them in open spaces. They need to be close enough to your Wi-Fi router so that they can catch the signals.
#4. Control Internet Usage
Most modern Wi-Fi routers have Quality of Service (QoS) tools that you can use. What they allow you to do is monitor which devices and applications are using the most data. Additionally, you can use these tools to set priorities.
Priorities are standard commands that let you decide bandwidth usage of devices and applications. So basically, if you are downloading a movie most of your bandwidth is allocated to that. If you get a video call as well, the QoS tool can shift bandwidth and give priority to the call. That way your download won’t stop, and you can enjoy a high-quality video call.
#5. Update Your Router
Just like with your phone or your laptop, routers also have system updates. If you have a modern router, then the updates should be easy to follow. Most likely, they will be on the router’s administrative page. All you have to do is hit the update icon. Check your router’s manual to see how you can manage the update for your router.
What these system updates do is fix any bugs in your router. They also configure it to increase the range and internet speed.
#6. Use Higher Frequencies
You can select the frequency of your Wi-Fi router. Usually, there are two frequencies that your router uses. Those are 2.5GHz and 5GHz. 2.5GHz has a wider range and it can travel through walls better. But the internet speeds are usually slower. Whereas 5GHz has a smaller range, but the internet speeds are better.
So if your space has a lot of walls and corners, then 2.5GHz is best. But if you have open space to work with, then 5GHz can give you a powerful Wi-Fi zone.
Although it can get hectic, maintaining good Wi-Fi doesn’t have any alternative solutions. Some people are opting for cable internet connections in rooms instead. But connections like frontier fios internet plans can’t be used with wireless devices without a wireless router.
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WiFi 6: What Are The Features of The New Generation of Routers