9 Simple Ways To Fix a Weak Wi-Fi Signal
In the United States, six million households have internet speeds slower than 3 Mbps. This makes it difficult to use your devices and can limit your productivity while using the internet.
There are many different reasons why you may have a weak Wi-Fi signal at home.
Learning more about the reasons your Wi-Fi signal may be lagging can help you find ways to boost your speeds. Do you need help fixing a weak Wi-Fi signal? Keep reading this guide for the top troubleshooting tips you can use to speed up your Wi-Fi on your own.
Why Your Wi-Fi Gets Weak Signal
Before you can start fixing your weak Wi-Fi signal, you should understand why Wi-Fi signals get slower in the first place.
One of the many reasons you may be dealing with weak Wi-Fi signals is if you have problems with spyware and viruses on your device. This is because spyware can interfere with your browser as it monitors your internet use. If you have multiple spyware programs on your device, this can lead to severe delays.
Viruses also install computer code that multiplies quickly. This leaves less internet bandwidth for other uses.
You may also have an outdated router that causes weak Wi-Fi. Because your router manages all of your internet connections, an old router is much more vulnerable to disruptions and can slow down your signal. If your router is new, you may simply be dealing with a signal outage.
Wi-Fi problems could also be due to poor router placement. If there are obstacles in the way of your router, it can result in a reduced signal.
Lastly, you may experience a bad Wi-Fi connection simply due to increased demands for Wi-Fi. This can impact the limits of the global networks and lead to traffic surges and more frequent outages.
How to Fix Weak Wi-Fi Signals? 9 Easy Ways to Fix Weak Wi-Fi Signals
If you have bad Wi-Fi, there are many easy ways that you can get to the bottom of the issue. Many of these don't cost anything and can be done without the help of a professional. Here are nine easy ways you can fix a weak Wi-Fi signal.
1. Restart the Modem
One of the simplest things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi spread is to restart the modem. This clears the cache that is stored in your router and helps with lag. It essentially puts your hardware and software back in sync.
To reboot your modem, simply unplug the power and ethernet cables, wait for it to fully power off, and reconnect the cables to the modem. This is a simple process that you can do on your own, without the help of a professional!
If you still experience problems, you may want to try moving your modem as well. Most routers will have a range of a few hundred feet, but different obstacles can cause interferences with your signal.
Moving your router to a more centralized location in your home can increase your signal strength and range!
2. Upgrade Your Device
Sometimes, the issues with your Wi-Fi may be due to your device, not your modem or router. If your device is outdated, it will get slower internet. This is true for both wired and wireless devices.
Make sure you check to see if your devices are updated. You can do this by going to settings, clicking "updates", and choosing "new updates." Updating your devices may be able to speed up your internet connection.
3. Get a New Modem and Router
Because outdated modems and routers often cause a slow Wi-Fi connection, you can invest in a new modem and router to speed up your Wi-Fi.
Make sure you know what type of router you need. For example, you could buy a single router and modem combo as long as it will cover the square footage of your home.
You could also buy mesh systems. This may be a better option for a large home, as it has several smaller devices that you can place around the home to improve your Wi-Fi coverage and connection.
You can subscribe to a managed Wi-Fi solution from EPB! Our 24/7/365 support will ensure that you always stay connected.
4. Get a Wi-Fi Booster For Your Wi-Fi Signal
If you have a large home or if you simply struggle with a slow Wi-Fi signal, you can also invest in a Wi-Fi booster or a Wi-Fi extender. A Wi-Fi booster is designed to increase your Wi-Fi signal and essentially repeat your Wi-Fi signal to another device.
This way, you can extend the range and strength of your Wi-Fi. If you have certain areas of your home that have slow Wi-Fi or if you simply want the fastest Wi-Fi possible, a booster is a great option!
You can find the best options for a Wi-Fi booster or repeater through your internet provider!
5. Rely on Routers That Are Long Range
Relying on routers that are long-range can instantly boost the speed of your Wi-Fi. These can be used to speed up your connection, even if you have many devices that are connected to your internet.
A long-range router typically has more than two antennas. This gives you more channels to use for your Wi-Fi and will give you the best connection possible, even as you move through your home. Finding a long-range router can guarantee high-speed Wi-Fi for more than 20 devices and homes that have large square footage.
6. Router 5s Is Outdated - Don't Buy It
If you are buying new equipment to speed up your router, you should avoid buying a router 5s. 5s routers are the fifth generation of wireless networking equipment that was released in 2014. However, this is outdated and doesn't meet the current needs of internet users for streaming and device connections.
For example, Wi-Fi 5 has a limit of eight streams. While it is fine to use in most cases, you may want to consider upgrading to a newer router.
7. Buy Router 6 - The Latest Model
Instead of buying Wi-Fi 5, you should invest in Wi-Fi 6. This is the newest option for internet connection and will eventually become the standard for internet usage.
Wi-Fi 6 allows you to stream more devices and provides much faster internet speeds. This makes it a great option for activities that require high bandwidth, including gaming and streaming. Wi-Fi 6 also offers new radio channels.
Upgrading to the latest model will provide you with more bandwidth and will make it easier to manage the traffic between devices.
8. Do Not Give Wi-Fi Access to Others
You should also avoid giving your Wi-Fi access to other people. Because your internet only has a certain bandwidth, having too many users can use up the bandwidth more quickly.
If your neighbors are using your Wi-Fi or if someone else has hacked into your connection, you should kick them off! The easiest way that you can do this is by changing the password to your Wi-Fi network.
9. Test the Speed of Your Wi-Fi
Finally, you should test the speed of your internet! This is an easy way to check the health of your internet connection and will tell you whether or not you are getting consistent performance from your Wi-Fi.
If you have used each of these tips and still have issues with your Wi-Fi speed, you can use a free online program to test your speed. You can also perform a speed test on your wireless router if it has a dedicated app. Because your router is directly connected to your modem, it will give you an accurate estimate of the speeds.
You may find that your speeds are lower than what you are paying for. In this case, you can talk with your internet provider to improve your internet speeds.
Like all of these tips, it is easy to test the speed of your Wi-Fi on your own in less than five minutes. Typically, an internet speed of at least 25 Mbps is good, while speeds of at least 300 Mbps are best for households with many devices using Wi-Fi at the same time.
Dealing With a Weak Wi-Fi Signal?
A weak Wi-Fi signal can make it frustrating and difficult to use your devices at home. Luckily, EPB can help! When you subscribe to EPB Smart Net Plus service, an EPB Tech Pro will install a router capable of delivering maximum speeds throughout your home and connect all your devices. Plus, we’ll happily return at no charge anytime you need assistance with your Wi-Fi network.
Contact us for other tips to improve your Wi-Fi speeds!
