Five Simple Methods to Boost Wi-Fi Signal
We are living in a world that heavily relies on Internet access. Chances are that even if it’s morning, you’ve already performed a few Google searches and updated your Facebook profile. And it’s all nice and easy because we don’t have to sit at our desks, close to our wired computers. Or is it?
The reality is that slow download/upload speeds and dead wireless zones have been plaguing the Wi-Fi world since the technology was invented. And believe it or not, some people can only get decent Wi-Fi signal when they are in the same room with their router! If this is your case, you will be pleased to discover several simple methods that will help you significantly boost Wi-Fi signal strength.
If your router is supposed to serve several rooms, its place should be in the middle of your home. Most people tuck away their routers inside cabinets, but this decreases signal strength even more. The solution is to place the router in an open space, keeping it away from walls and any other obstacles.
Often times, the problem appears because of your router’s software. As technologies advance, new router models are being built, and this brings higher upload and download speeds. But before throwing your old router away, be sure to update its firmware. You may discover that this simple process has significantly boosted its speed.
Of course, router manufacturers stop updating their devices after a few years, because they want to sell their new stuff. This means that you may be stuck with a firmware update that’s a few years old. Even so, download the latest update that’s available, install it, and then test the speed of the network using a dedicated application to see if it’s changed for the better. Well, even if the answer is negative, try one of the ideas below before throwing out your router.
If you live in an apartment complex, several of your neighbors may be using the same channel to broadcast Wi-Fi signal. If this is the case and your router supports it, change its frequency to 5 GHz, because the opportunity of getting your own 100% free Wi-Fi channel there increases exponentially. Even older routers can make a good impression if you set them to run on a custom channel that isn’t used by anyone else. Fortunately, there are several mobile apps that can show you which Wi-Fi channels are available.
An easy way of significantly boosting Wi-Fi signal is to replace your router’s antennas. High gain antennas and SMA cables are inexpensive, and often times they can double the signal power without having any negative consequences. Be sure to purchase an antenna that’s got a “high gain” label on it, though; otherwise, you may end up buying an antenna that has similar specs with the one that came with your router. If you purchase a directional antenna, you can then orient it towards the areas where the Wi-Fi signal is weak.
If everything fails, it is time to purchase and install a Wi-Fi range extender. No matter how great your existing router is, it can only broadcast Wi-Fi signal in a limited area. This means that if you have a large house, you may need a wireless range extender. These devices, also known as wireless repeaters, simply pick up, amplify and then broadcast Wi-Fi signal.
These are five easy methods that will significantly boost the quality of your Wi-Fi signal. Apply them one at a time, measure the results, and then move on to the next method. If you take the time to apply them properly, you may see Wi-Fi download/upload speed increases that range from 50% to 300%. Good luck!
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How to Set Up a Home Network
Very few people had a home network 20 years ago. There was a lot of effort in setting up all those cables around the house, and then properly configuring Windows, drivers, and so on. These days, a home network is a must-have in any home, though. Fortunately, the entire process of setting up and administering a network is much easier these days. Read on to find out how you can quickly set up your home network.
Everything should begin with assessing the goals of your network’s existence. In other words, what are you trying to accomplish? If you’re only interested in getting Internet access on your phone, it’s much easier to purchase a data plan from your cell phone provider. Of course, if you are interested in streaming high quality HD movies, or if you are a gamer who spends many hours online each day, your needs will be different.
There are two solutions when it comes to setting up a home network: wired or wireless. With wired networks, you get the maximum speed, only being limited by your Internet service provider’s data speed cap. These wired networks are the perfect solution for people who are interested in watching movies or playing high-end games online.
This doesn’t mean that Wi-Fi networks can’t be fast enough! It’s just that with Wi-Fi, every wall, metal surface, piece of furniture, and so on can become an obstacle. The good news is that you can set up a Wi-Fi network, test it, and then, if the results aren’t that great, you can convert it into a wired network as well, without wasting any money.
Most people have wired Internet access brought to their doors. This means that your Internet provider offers you the possibility of connecting to its network using a cable. These days a few companies are implementing ultra high speed, 10 GB Ethernet connections, but the reality is that most of them only offer 1 GB packages, which – truth be told – are more than enough for most people’s needs.
So make sure to buy a fast package if your Internet speed demands are high. The next bottleneck is your router. For best results, be sure to purchase the fastest router available. This doesn’t mean that you should buy the most expensive router, though, but that you should purchase one which can also work using the latest wireless standards – 802.11ac at the moment.
Connect the Internet cable to your router, and then set it up. Detailed instructions are included in either the router’s manual, or can be downloaded from the Internet. Be sure to set up a WPA2 network and choose a very strong password for it.
At this point, you should be able to connect your smartphone to the newly created Wi-Fi network, using the previously created network name and password. If all your home devices include Wi-Fi chips, they should be able to connect as well.
If you’ve got an older laptop or computer, which lacks a Wi-Fi chip, purchase or borrow a Wi-Fi stick from a friend, plug it in, and then test the devices. Run a few real-life tests, finding out the actual download and upload speeds.
If you are happy with the results, congratulations! Your home network has been set up. You may only need to buy one or more similar (or better!) Wi-Fi sticks after you return the borrowed one.
Internet speed may decrease a lot, especially when your device is more than 20 feet away from the router, or when there are walls or other obstacles between them. If this is the case, you will have to set up a wired network, or use Wi-Fi signal repeaters. Fortunately, your wired network is already set up! You will only need to connect the router with your computer using a LAN cable. That’s all!
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