One of the most frustrating things in the world is the slow internet. People work from home, talk to their family and friends, and try to live their lives. But the internet could be down for any reason at any time.
Slow internet could be caused by things outside of your control, like a crowded network or your ISP not giving you enough bandwidth. There are sometimes holes in the matrix right in your own home. Here are five things to check to ensure your home internet is running as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Turn it off and on
This sounds like a no-brainer, but many people don’t go the distance when restarting their modem/router. They’re computer devices that need to be rebooted sometimes, but it’s much more common than you might think.
Disconnect from the mains, too, if possible
To be safe, you should unplug the device and wait 30 seconds. This gives the capacitors inside a chance to discharge, which store a very small amount of power. Its standard reboot process should ensure everything is running smoothly when you plug it back in and turn it on.
Update your router’s firmware
To troubleshoot your router and fix an issue, you might need to turn it off and on to troubleshoot your router and fix an issue. Relevant updates are usually found at the bottom of the device but not always. To do this properly, you should unplug it from power first. Then, wait 30 seconds, and it should fully shut down. Once you plug it in, wait a few minutes for it to reboot.
Check your Wi-Fi router placement
Wi-Fi routers are the heart of a strong wireless connection, but people often put them out of sight. A common mistake is to place it behind a TV or on a bookshelf. This obstructs the router’s line of sight, making your wireless slower or even breaking the connection altogether.
Aim to open your router 1.5 to 2 meters off the ground and in the middle of your home. Where should you put your router? You want to make sure it’s in a central position, but what about where the connect pay-tv is located? Your routers are most effective in an open space and close to your point of use. However, the ports for your internet signal will be limited to the place of wall-mounted outlets.
Consider extra gear to improve your signal
If your home layout doesn’t permit great Wi-Fi, a few options exist. The most expensive option is to buy a mesh router system. Mesh routers connect pay tv and provide great Wi-Fi coverage.
You can install multiple Wi-Fi units around your home to cover areas that might not have signals. Each mesh unit needs another signal to pass the network along, but it’s way better than just relying on one router.
Wi-Fi extenders do the same thing as a router. They pick up and pass on the signal. The only difference is that they use a different network name and password than your Wi-Fi router. So as you enter areas where the signal is stronger, you need to switch between the two.
Don’t forget about uploads
In this new era, high-speed internet is a necessity. If you’re struggling with a slow connection like ADSL or are still waiting for your NBN connection to be installed, you’ll need to limit the amount of data you upload. ADSL, in particular, has low speeds and can’t keep up with the amount of data that new gadgets automatically upload to the cloud.
Do you know what’s tricky? Tracking when your uploads are being used. Check out which apps and programs sync with the internet while keeping a close eye on those constantly uploading to the cloud (like Dropbox or Google Photos). If you can, disable this option temporarily to see if your uploads can be freed up.
Conclusion
Your home internet speed is likely to determine how much you get out of the internet in your home. The right speed can make all the difference, so it’s important to know how to improve your home internet speed, especially if it’s slow.
So, to improve it, turn your modem off and on. Update your router firmware, check the router placement, or try to buy a new router. If all of these are not working, call the help center; maybe you are facing an issue coming from the company backend.
