Whether or not you are working from dwelling, binge-watching Netflix, or streaming your gameplay on Twitch, there is no such factor as an excessive amount of bandwidth. Even if in case you have gigabit fiber mainlined into your router, everybody may use assist getting sooner web round the home. It would not matter if in case you have the absolute best wires exterior your home—eliminating subpar speeds and Wi-Fi lifeless zones is basically as much as you. Listed below are some methods to troubleshoot and, hopefully, enhance the standard of the Wi-Fi inside and out of doors your home.
Take a look at our different networking guides, together with the Greatest Mesh Routers, Greatest Wi-Fi Routers, Greatest House Workplace Gear, and explainers, like tips on how to safe your property Wi-Fi community, router procuring ideas, and Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 breakdowns.
Up to date Might 2025: We added particulars to most sections, together with tips about Ethernet, Wi-Fi bands, and adjusting antennas.
1. Transfer Your Router
That router within the closet? Not a good suggestion. Partitions, cabinets, and even bookshelves can probably dampen your Wi-Fi sign. Bodily transferring the router could make an actual distinction to web speeds and the way far wi-fi transmissions attain. The proper spot will rely on your property, however strive to not conceal your router in a nook, beneath a cabinet, or inside a drawer—the extra central and distinguished it’s, the higher. For more information, learn our information on the place to place your router for the absolute best dwelling Wi-Fi.
You would possibly have to get inventive with cabling to get your router in a greater place, however it will likely be definitely worth the effort. The purpose is to get your principal units—consoles, laptops, and so forth—as shut as potential to your router. Gadgets that do not want fairly a lot bandwidth, like good thermostats, do not must be a precedence when it comes to bodily proximity.
Because of this, it is price contemplating the look of your router when buying. For those who purchase a hideous router, you’re extra prone to put it in a closet. Work out one of the best spot given the placement of your high-priority units, then contemplate what is going to look good to you in that spot. If you do not have a flat floor close to one of the best space, mount your router midway up a wall. If potential, preserve it away from different units that use electromagnetic waves; that features child screens, wi-fi keyboards, and microwaves.
Routers have antennas, both inner or exterior, and even simply altering the angle can affect the power of your Wi-Fi elsewhere round your property, so do not be afraid to waggle these antennas and see if there’s an enchancment. For routers with inner antennas, even turning the router round or angling it in another way could make a distinction.
2. Use an Ethernet Cable
It is simple to overlook that wires nonetheless exist! We do not, it is in our title, however it must be stated: You do not want Wi-Fi. A wired Ethernet connection to your router is quicker and extra secure than Wi-Fi, and it might’t be affected by different units or massive fish tanks. The draw back is that it limits the place your units might be, and it is much less handy.
