Slow Wi-Fi and slow internet aren’t the same thing. A lot of the time, the connection coming into your house is fine; it’s the signal inside that’s struggling. The good news is there are simple steps you can take to improve the Wi-Fi signal, and this will often solve the problem. Here’s where to start.
Move the Router
Wi-Fi travels out from your router in all directions, so where it sits matters more than almost anything else.
- Put it in a central part of the house, not in a back corner or closet.
- Get it up off the floor. A shelf or table is better than the ground.
- Keep it out in the open, not inside a cabinet or entertainment center.
- Point the antennas up if it has them.
If your router lives in the room where the line comes into the house at the end of the property, that can be a big reason a back bedroom at the other end of the house has no signal.
Give It Space
A few things around the house interfere with Wi-Fi more than you might expect.
- Microwaves and cordless phones
- Thick walls, especially adobe, stucco with wire lath, brick and stone
- Metal, including filing cabinets, applicants, metal roofing and ductwork
- Big mirrors and fish tanks
You can’t move your walls, but you can move the router a few feet away from the microwave or off the top of the refrigerator. That alone can help improve things.
Cover the Far Corners
Bigger homes, older homes with thick walls, and properties with a shop or casita out back usually need more than one signal point. If that’s the case with your home, you have two options.
- Mesh systems use two or three units that talk to each other and hand your devices off as you move around the house. This is a good option for most people.
- Extenders repeat the signal from your existing router. They’re cheaper, and they work, but they can cut your speed roughly in half at the extended end.
Restart It
Routers run for months without a break. Every so often, unplug yours, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. This can help clear out the small problems that build up over time. Once a month is usually plenty.
Check Who’s On Your Network
Old phones, tablets in a drawer, a smart TV in a guest room nobody uses. These things all keep checking in with the router. Log in to your router settings and look at the connected device list. Disconnect anything you don’t recognize or use.
While you’re there, make sure your network has a password that isn’t the one printed on the sticker.
Check Your Equipment Age
Wi-Fi standards change. A router that is seven or eight years old can’t move the data as fast as a newer one can, even on a fast internet connection. If your router has been in service that long and you’ve tried everything else, the equipment might be the problem.
If you’re renting equipment from a provider, ask them how old it is. It’s a fair question, and they should be able to give you a straight-forward answer.
When It’s Not the Wi-Fi
Some problems don’t come from the Wi-Fi signal. If you notice any of the following things, it’s usually an issue with the internet service itself, not the router.
- Everything slows down every day at the same time.
- The connection drops entirely and then comes back.
- Wired devices are just as slow as wireless ones.
- It gets worse after a storm.
If you notice these, run a speed test and then call your provider with that number ready.
Most Wi-Fi problems have a simple cause. If you’ve worked through this list and your internet still isn’t doing what you need, there could be a bigger issue. At Ethos Broadband, we take that seriously. We install it, we stand behind it, and when something goes wrong, we show up.
Ready for internet that actually works? Check availability in your area or call or call 833-650-0480.
