The internet plays an important role in all of our lives. Whether it is for business, entertainment, or research purposes, our dependency on it is growing by the day. If you compromise on the quality of your Wi-Fi connection, many different aspects of your life may be disrupted. You may find difficulty in work, communication, travel, and consumption of any type of content online. This can be extremely inconvenient with how fast-paced our lives have become.
Since the internet plays such a big role in our lives, it is important to make sure that our home’s Wi-Fi connection is as fast and reliable as it can be. There are a few different factors that can influence the strength and speed of this connection, and knowing them can help you remove these obstacles for a more seamless connection.
A lot of gadgets in your home most likely depend on the internet to function. For example, the Wemo insight smart plug can only add smart features to your home if there is a stable connection.
The following are some ways through which you can significantly improve the strength of your Wi-Fi connection.
Update the Hardware
One of the main causes of a subpar internet connection is outdated hardware. Often, the free router which comes with the service you purchase isn’t good quality, although it is relatively cheaper. If you want a better connection, it may be time to upgrade to a more high-end device.
There are many cheap and effective alternatives available to choose from. Once you pick a router that will keep your network secure and your internet running properly at all times, you’re good to go. A lot of people like to switch to a USB Wi-Fi adapter, which is easy to us and very convenient.
Proper Placement of Router
If you have a larger home, the placement of your router can be very important. There are certain parts of your home where the signals may not reach, and this can be very frustrating as you move around your home.
To make sure the Wi-Fi is as evenly spread out as possible, you should place it in the center of most of the residents’ activities. For example, you may find yourself in the living room more frequently than in the basement of your home, so this would be an appropriate place for the router. You can even place it in a hallway, provided it’s at an approximately equal distance from most rooms.
Remove Obstructions
A lot of users don’t realize the role physical obstructions play in determining the strength of their Wi-Fi connection. A good trick for a better connection is to remove any objects from around your router, since this can block some of the signals and result in slower internet. Placing the router behind furniture, lamps or TVs is not a good idea. You should try to place it in a more open area so that the router is able to transmit signals to all corners of your house.
Use a Range Extender
One of the best ways to improve your home’s internet is to use a range extender. This is a gadget that increases the range of your existing router. It can be plugged directly into your gadget through a USB port, or placed on a desk as a separate gadget. Once you set it up, another network appears on your devices, and they can automatically access whichever network is stronger.
A range extender is a good alternative to replacing your router; however, this shouldn’t be your first option. There is no guarantee that this will fix your internet issues, although the signals may be stronger at times. A mesh router system will most likely be the ultimate fix for all your Wi-Fi-related problems.
Keep Your Network Secured
Due to everyone needing the internet to function, a lot of people may be looking for open Wi-Fi networks to use. Anyone in your home’s vicinity may be able to access your personal Wi-Fi network, which is both inconvenient and a security threat. The access to your Wi-Fi network must stay within the premises of your home, which is why choosing a high-security network is your best option.
Disable Certain Apps
There are some apps that consume the internet while running in the background, even if you aren’t actively using them. Social media apps are a common example of this since they are constantly being updated. This constant consumption can result in a shortage of data for limited networks.
Certain apps have greater bandwidth consumption than others, and if they are running unnecessarily, you may find that your internet lags even during tasks as simple as browsing. By altering the settings of these apps and choosing an option that will disable them until you open them yourself, you can utilize available network bandwidth in the most efficient way.
Conclusion
Not only is your Wi-Fi connection responsible for your personal tasks, it can also negatively affect the functioning of your home. If you have a smart home, your Wi-Fi connection will be responsible for how well your electronics function. A lot of its features will become inaccessible with a bad internet connection.
Aside from that, your leisure time will also be affected. You won’t be able to play games or stream online, which can make your days tedious and boring. By doing these few simple things, you can keep your internet connection running relatively smoothly.
