This is part of the story 12 Days of Tipshelps you get the most out of your technology, home and health during the holiday season.
So there is a problem with your internet connection. No matter what internet provider you have or how many devices are online, your connection is always slow. What are you doing? Sometimes the monthly payments are one internet service provider or yours router even professionally installed may not solve the big problem of slow and weak internet connection.
If you work from home, are trying to install smart home devices, or just want to, this is a huge headache. relax with some Netflix At the end of the day.
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The good news is that there is an easy way to optimize your Wi-Fi network and fix these problems, and it will only take you a few minutes.
There is Many factors determine internet speed and if there is a few tricks or guidelines you can follow One of the most important factors in improving overall wireless speed and coverage in your home is the location of your router. Note that the best location is not always where the technician installed it. So, keep reading to learn about the best location for your router in your home and other tips for faster Wi-Fi. You can also check out our selections the best Wi-Fi routersthe best mesh routers and best wifi extenders. (And if you have a mesh router, be sure to check here’s our guide to where and how to set it up correctlyalso.)
Choose the right router for your location
First things first: it all starts with him choosing the right router or other equipment. Not all routers are the same, and the size and layout of your home will determine what type of wireless network you need.
For most apartments and small homes (less than 1,500 square feet), one wireless access point should be sufficient. That said, if your router is a few years old, you may want to consider upgrading it Newer model with 802.11ax supportor Wi-Fi 6. It’s the latest generation of Wi-Fi technology and will give you the fastest wireless speeds possible and the best overall coverage.
For larger, multi-level homes, it’s worth considering building a home upgrade to a mesh network offering consistent coverage throughout the home. After the main access point is installed, if you find that there is no solid wireless coverage in a remote corner of your home, simply add another node to that area. Problem solved.
Meet us to learn more list of the best mesh routers of the year (is our best choice TP-Link Deco W7200) and if you’re not sure where to start in choosing your next router, consult us router buying guide.
Whether you have a single access point or a mesh network, it still matters where you place the primary access point.
What is the best place to put your router?
Check out all the different routers available to you: Wi-Fi routers, mesh routers, and more.
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When you first move into a new house or apartment, the modem is usually installed along the wall in one of the remote areas of the house. That’s because that’s where the line enters the house, and the technician’s job is to make the connection — not optimize your network. That part is on you.
It’s tempting to leave everything where the technician installed it. However, this is unlikely to be the optimal location for your router.
Choose a central location
Routers send the signal in all directions, so if it’s stuck in the corner of your house, a significant portion of your wireless coverage is sent outside your home. Therefore, your best bet is to move the router to a central location to optimize the signal.
It can be difficult to install a router from a modem all over the house. This may require manually running an especially long CAT5 or CAT6 Ethernet cable under the floor or under your walls, or using powerline network adapters that use your home’s electrical wiring to transmit the Internet signal from point to point. But the improved wireless coverage will be worth it.
Lift the router
Routers tend to radiate their strongest signals downward, so it’s best to mount the router as high as possible to maximize coverage. Try placing it high on a bookshelf or hanging it on the wall somewhere out of sight.
Search online and you’ll find plenty of custom wall mounts built for specific routers, such as Eero Pro 6 mesh router. Well, if you’re having trouble finding a high place, something like this can be a great solution.
Avoid other electronics
Try to choose a place away from other electronics and large metal objects. The more walls, large obstacles, and electronics near your router, the more likely it is that something will interfere with the signal.
A particular type of electronic device to avoid is a microwave that emits a strong signal in the 2.4 GHz band, the same wireless band that your router operates on. You’ll also want to be careful not to place your router behind a large TV. can cause electronic interference that physically blocks or disrupts the signal.
In addition to electronics, be careful of bulky furniture that can limit signal output. Wi-Fi does not travel well in water, for example, so if you have an aquarium at home, try to avoid situations where it will be between your router and the device it needs to connect to.
Those funny looking antennae? They actually matter
Some routers have no antenna at all, while others have up to eight. These antennas help to redirect the signal. If your router has two or more antennas, do not place them all in the same direction.
Instead, make them perpendicular to each other – one horizontally and one vertically. Or slightly reposition all antennas to cover wide angles. You may need to experiment a bit to find the most effective configuration.
The signal from each of these antennas will come out as a traveling wave in all directions, and this wave will be perpendicular to the antenna itself, so a vertical antenna will be more useful in single-story houses, and a horizontal or angled antenna. it will give an upward moving signal which can be more useful in a multi-storey house.
Wi-Fi mapping software like NetSpot can help you visualize the strength of your network and make it easier to troubleshoot weak spots.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
Signal map
In worst-case scenarios, it can be helpful to map the signal in your home to see if there may be gaps or problem areas in your coverage. A few years ago we used NetSpot software to map signal strength Throughout CNET Smart Home — we finally got a good look at the weak spots in our Wi-Fi network, which helped us improve things by moving our hardware to more optimal locations.
Be sure to check it out if you’re considering upgrading your router CNET’s picks for the best routers. Be sure for homes with children examine your router’s parental controlsalso.