They’re single-unit devices that plug into a modem. You’re probably familiar with the former. These days, you’ll find two types of wireless routers: traditional models and mesh network models. If those tweaks don’t help, it may be time to find a model better suited to your needs, especially if you’ve been using a single-unit router in a multi-story home. (See “ 5 Common WiFi Roadblocks & How to Fix Them,” below.) You can try moving the router around a room to address such problems. If your router is already in a central location, the slow connection might be due to obstacles in the house that can impede a WiFi signal. ![]() ![]() If you’re planning to change providers, Fisco says, you may be able to get the job done free, so ask while you’re negotiating the switch. Or you can ask your ISP to help you relocate the modem, though the company may charge you depending on the labor involved. One way is to buy a long Ethernet cable (keep it under 300 feet), plug it into the modem and the router, and move the router yourself. If your router is in a suboptimal spot (the basement, for example), try moving it. A router tucked away in a corner may not have the range to travel to the other side of the house, or from the second floor to the basement, because the signal degrades the farther it gets from the source. They tend to do best when set up in the center of a home, allowing the signal to reach out in every direction. Next, you’ll want to assess the placement of your router. You can then move around with your laptop to different areas of your home to see how fast WiFi is at different locations. First, run it with your laptop plugged into your router to check your speed in the best-case scenario. You may want to run this test a few times. You can easily run a speed test using a service like to see what you’re really getting. If you’re not paying for that, or if you don’t have access to that kind of speed where you live, a brand-new router won’t help you. ![]() You’ll need a connection of at least 25 megabits per second to stream Netflix video for 4K TV, for example. But don’t be too hasty-there may be other factors at play.įirst, take a look at a bill from your ISP to see what level of broadband you’re paying for. Solution: Check your router compatibility and determine which antennas are suitable for your network device.If your WiFi connection is noticeably sluggish, you may be tempted to write off your current router as a dud. Upgrading the antenna on your router is an easy and quick method to boost your Wi-Fi signal. Faster Wi-Fi speed: On top of the broadcast range increase, you get a potential boost to overall throughput for better efficiency.Broadcast control: A high-gain omnidirectional antenna replaced with a directional antenna grants precise control over your Wi-Fi broadcast direction.Hitting every room in your house with Wi-Fi from a single router sounds like a great idea. Increased broadcast range: The prospect of an increase to your Wi-Fi broadcast range is one of the most alluring benefits of a high-gain router.There are several clear positives to installing better antennas: Tying into the section above on upgrading to a router using 802.11ac, you should consider upgrading your antennas, too. Your router has an antenna to broadcast Wi-Fi throughout your home. Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Antennas and Receivers Mesh Wi-Fi kits come in a range of prices, typically varying depending on coverage, throughput, and the number of bases required to bathe your home in glorious Wi-Fi.Ĥ. In that, wireless mesh networks are an excellent choice for a variety of Wi-Fi range extension situations. Instead of having to spend time configuring a Wi-Fi extender or booster, most wireless mesh network devices connect almost instantaneously to the existing network. Wireless mesh networks make it easy to extend, too. But in the last few years, mesh Wi-Fi technology has come into the home. Mesh networks have long been used in shopping malls, sporting events, festivals, and so on. Unlike a Wi-Fi signal range extender which creates another extended network, the mesh network uses a single unified wireless network. This results in the same signal in your downstairs hallway as your upstairs bathroom, and so on. ![]() Mesh Wi-Fi typically uses more than one network device to cover your entire home (or office, etc.) with consistent Wi-Fi signal. A wireless mesh network is an excellent way to ensure consistent Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.
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