We've all been there. You hop online to check out that movie you've been dying to see or do some late night work before tomorrow's big presentation and you're stopped in your tracks by lagging and loading screens. Slow Wi-Fi is no good for anyone.
Our full fibre broadband offers high speeds of up to 1000Mbps, so we know a thing or two about how to improve Wi-Fi signal and speed. It's good to have some tricks up your sleeve when that dreaded buffering starts up.
If you're scratching your head wondering how to make Wi-Fi faster, read on - you may pick up some helpful tips along the way.
How Fast Is My Internet?
First thing's first, you need to understand how fast your Wi-Fi is before deciding whether you need to give it a boost. Be sure to take a broadband speed test to survey the lay of the land.
What Is Good Wi-Fi Speed?
First things first, when it comes to boosting Wi-Fi signal you need understand what it is you're aiming for. A good Wi-Fi speed can be anywhere from 50Mbps for streaming to 1000Mbps for online gaming and bulky downloads. What constitutes good will depend on your usage, but if you're suffering from buffering it's fair to say your Wi-Fi speed needs improving.
Read more - Understanding speed units
What Causes Wi-Fi Speeds To Change?
Wi-Fi speeds can fluctuate due to various factors, and understanding these influences can help you optimise your connection for better performance. For example, the farther you are from your Wi-Fi router, the weaker the signal strength. Walls, floors, and other obstacles can also attenuate the signal, leading to slower speeds at greater distances.
The number of connected devices and network congestion can also play a part. The more devices connected to the Wi-Fi network, the greater the demand on the available bandwidth. This can result in slower speeds, especially during peak usage times.
As well as these, everything from adverse weather conditions can mean you'll need to improve internet speed. Keep these in mind when it comes to making Wi-Fi improvements, as they'll be sure to steer you on the right track.
10 Ways To Improve Wi-Fi Speed
Ready to wave goodbye to laggy Wi-Fi? Check out these 10 tips and find out how to boost Wi-Fi signal:
1. Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Router
If your internet is struggling to keep up with the pace, your router may be showing signs of aging. Replacing old routers can boost Wi-Fi speed, improving signal signifciantly in the process.
At Connect Fibre, all our packages feature the latest and greatest routers. Learn more about our Wi-Fi 6 routers to decide whether they're the answer to your broadband prayers.
2. Move Your Router
Router placement is also important. Stashing it away in the cupboard may make it look a bit tidier, but it could be harming performance. Place your router in a central location within your home or office.
This helps ensure that the Wi-Fi signal reaches all areas with minimal interference. Avoid placing it near walls, large metal objects, or other electronic devices that can block or absorb the signal.
Book a free in-home appointment with a fibre expert if you're unsure on the best way to get your router set up.
3. Limit The Number Of Connected Devices
Too many connected devices can make your Wi-Fi slow down. Disconnect or turn off devices that are not in use to free up bandwidth for active devices. You may also want to consider reducing interference from devices around the house.
Appliances, electronic gadgets, and other wireless devices can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. Keep your router away from devices like baby monitors, and microwave ovens that may cause interference.
4. Secure Your Network
Implement a strong password to secure your Wi-Fi network. Unauthorized users can slow down your network speed. Use WPA3 encryption if your router and devices support it for enhanced security.
Read more: How to generate a secure password
5. Upgrade Your Broadband Package
When you choose a broadband package, you should be well aware of the highest speed achievable. If your Wi-Fi is hitting those heights but it's still not sufficient, then it's time to kick it up a notch.
Choose from a range of fantastic packages at Connect Fibre, offering broadband speeds from 150Mbps to 1000Mbps. If you're unsure about which package suits your needs, simply reach out to our team. By answering a few quick questions, we'll match you with the perfect Wi-Fi speeds for you.
6. Switch Your Wi-Fi Frequency Band
Switching your Wi-Fi frequency band can be a useful strategy to optimise your network performance, especially if you experience interference or congestion on your current band. Most routers operate on either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz frequency bands, and each has its advantages and disadvantages.
7. Optimise Router Settings
Optimising your router settings is a crucial step in maximising Wi-Fi speed. Fine-tune your router settings by enabling features like Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritise specific types of traffic, such as video streaming or gaming.
Adjusting the position of any external antennas, updating router firmware regularly, and securing your network with strong encryption and a password are additional steps to optimise performance.
Regularly monitor and adjust these settings based on your network's performance and any changes in your usage patterns.
8. Disable Or Disconnect Any Non-Essential Programmes
Disabling non-essential background programmes on your devices can significantly contribute to optimising Wi-Fi speed. Many applications and programmes run in the background, consuming bandwidth and affecting overall network performance. To address this, manually review and disable unnecessary background programs on your computers, smartphones, and other connected devices.
9. Reset Your Router
The age-old 'turn it off and on again' trick. It's been known to work for improving Wi-Fi speeds, and is worth a go if you're struggling with snail-pace broadband. Think of the reset much like that first cup of coffee on a Monday morning - it's a simple case of dusting off the cobwebs. It can suddenly fix some undetected issues and give you the Wi-Fi boost you need.
10. Upgrade To A Mesh Network
If you have tried all of these above solutions, considering a mesh network may be the best solution. These devices can extend your network coverage and improve signal strength in hard-to-reach areas.
At Connect Fibre we have the UK's best mesh guarantee, 50Mbps in every room or your money back! Say goodbye to dead zones with our Connect Mesh Wi-Fi.
Get Faster Wi-Fi With Connect Fibre
Switching to Connect Fibre is our greatest tip of them all. Our faster, fairer, flawless full fibre coupled with cutting-edge Wi-Fi 6 routers are a surefire way to improve bandwith and internet speeds.
Are you ready to come on board? Head to our postcode checker here to see if Connect Fibre's high speeds are available to you! If you're already in a contract, our buyout scheme could help. Faster Wi-Fi speeds are closer than you may think!
