Some Ways to Get Better Internet Speeds You Might Not Have Thought About
Everyone hates slow internet because no one wants their favorite show or movie to buffer all the time or to wait hours for a download to finish. There are many ways to improve your internet speed, which some that you might have tried already. For example, everyone knows moving a router to a central location and away from obstacles can improve internet speeds. This article will look at a few things you might have yet to try.
Best Ways To Boost Your Internet Speed
Update the Router’s Firmware
Many router manufacturers now make it easy to upgrade a router’s firmware. Doing so can improve speeds and your security at the same time. You can upgrade the firmware within the main admin panel, and you only have to download and install the right file.
If you cannot find the button or prompt that lets you do this, check the user manual, the manufacturer’s website, or online to find the correct procedure for how to do this.
Note that some router-modem combos provided by internet providers do not need to be updated; the service provider does this automatically.
Reset the Router
Turning tech off and on again solves a lot of problems. A technician will typically ask you to do it if you have an issue with a device before they take a closer look. This idea also applies to your router, which you should reset every month or two. Doing so refreshes the internet connection, leading to better download and upload speeds.
If you have a modem in addition to the router, you should reset it at the same time too. You can get a programmable timer if you do not want to have to remember to reset the router and modem. All you need to do is plug the router and modem into the timer, and it will turn them off and then on at a predetermined time.
Use a Wi-Fi Extender or Mesh Network
Spotty or slow internet connections are typical in larger houses where the signal gets weaker the further you are from the router. A common solution is getting a Wi-Fi extender or installing a mesh network. The extender extends the signal from your router and makes it accessible much further from the router. It creates a new network so that your device has another to connect to.
A mesh network uses several devices to create one mesh network. Their main advantage is that they do not create additional networks like Wi-Fi extenders, thereby reducing the need for your device to bounce around on different networks as you move around your home.
Change the Frequency
Congestion can cause slow internet speeds, and it happens when numerous devices use the same frequency and channel. The two main frequencies are 2.4 GHz, the one most people connect to, and 5 GHz, which offers much faster speeds but has a shorter range.
If most of your devices are within 10–20 feet of the router, like your TV and computer, switch to 5 GHz and use 2.4 GHz for devices located further away.
Slow internet speeds are unacceptable with how important the internet has become and how much we use it. There are several ways of improving speeds, some cost-effective, others expensive, and some requiring technical knowledge.
