We’ve all been there: You're watching the latest season of Orange is the New Black
on Netflix when, all of a sudden, the video jerks to a stop and the
endless buffering begins. It's frustrating when your network slows down
(or shuts down completely), but there are a few tricks you can use boost
your Wi-Fi signal. Here are a few of them.
Most people hide their routers because they’re unsightly or in the way, but placing a router in a closet or in a cabinet is a one-way ticket to slow Wi-Fi: Walls and doors can degrade and absorb signal strength. Find a central location in your home and put your router on a table or bookshelf. Because some routers are designed to project a Wi-Fi signal slightly downward, keeping it higher off the ground will evenly distribute a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.
Microwaves, cordless telephones, flourescent lights, and even other routers in your neighbor’s home or apartment may interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. To reduce interference, place your router away from household appliances and set it to a different wireless channel and frequency. Using online tools, Acrylic Wi-Fi for Windows and AirGrab Wi-Fi Radar for Mac, for example, can help you find the right wireless channel with the least amount of interference. If you want an easier fix, most routers have an automatic option to find the best channel for your location.
You should also avoid placing your router near metal objects, which can absorb signal strength.
Typically, a beer is something best enjoyed after a home
improvement project is complete, but in this case, it's necessary to
drink one before you even get started: The aluminum in beer and soda
cans reflects and extend the signal farther than the router itself.
Here's how it works. Step one: Have a beer and wash out the can. Then, remove the pop top and, using a pair of scissors or a utility knife, cut around the bottom of the can to remove it. Repeat the process for the top of the can, just below the mouth, but don’t cut all the way around, leave about 1 to 2 inches of space at the top to make sure the mouth of the can is still attached. Then, from the bottom, cut down the middle of the can on the opposite side of the space. Fan out the flaps to create a curve or parabola and turn the can upside down to stand it up. Stick one of the router's antennas through the mouth of the beer can and use a small piece of duct tape or blu-tack to keep it in place, then repeat the process for the other antenna. Although your router might look messy, your signal strength should greatly improve (at least in certain directions).
If you don’t want to use a beer can, you can use simple household tinfoil to create the same effect.
In fact, even if your wireless network isn't ailing, you should just make it a point to update your firmware on a regular basis. You will get performance improvements, better features, and security updates that way.
10. Optimal Router Placement
Not all rooms and spaces are created equal. The fact is, where you place the router can affect your wireless coverage. It may seem logical to have the router inside a cabinet and out of the way, or right by the window where the cable comes in, but that's not always the case. A wired router can be tucked away, out of sight, out of mind. A wireless router, on the other hand, needs open spaces, away from walls and obstructions. It's not just physical obstructions either; heavy-duty appliances or electronics running in close proximity can impact Wi-Fi performance.
If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to bump up coverage. Elevate the router if you can. You can mount it on a wall, or put it on top of a shelf or a table to get a better signal. There are plenty of tools to help you visualize your network coverage. I personally like Heatmapper, or our Editors' Choice, inSSIDer for Office, which shows you both the weak and strong spots in your Wi-Fi network. There are plenty of mobile apps, too, such as Netgear's WiFi Analytics.
11.What's Your Frequency?
Take a look at your network's administrator interface, and make sure you have it configured for optimum performance. If you have a dual-band router, you'll likely get better throughput by switching to the 5GHz band instead of using the more common 2.4GHz band. If nothing else, you will likely encounter less interference from other wireless networks and devices because the 5GHz frequency is not as commonly used. Switching is quite simple. See if your router's administrator interface offers 5GHz. If it does, enable it, and set up the network as you would normally.
12. Change That Channel
Ever play with walkie-talkies as a kid? You may remember how if the units weren't on the same channel, you couldn't hear each other. Or if you wound up on a different channel, you could listen in on someone else's conversation on a completely different set. Same thing with baby monitors.
In the same vein, all modern routers are multichannel, so they can switch across different channels when communicating to your devices. You tend to use whatever the router default is, but if neighboring wireless networks are also using the same channel, then you are going to encounter signal congestion. On Windows-based PCs, you can see what channels neighboring Wi-Fi networks are using. From the command prompt (in Windows 7) if you type netsh wlan show all, you will see a list of all wireless networks and the channels being used in your vicinity. At PC Labs, for instance, most of our networks and those of our neighbors are using channels 6 and 11.
Once you know what channels are in use, pick one that's less congested and manually switch your router to broadcast on that channel. You can find this setting in your wireless network's administrator interface. While the interface differs by device and manufacturer, you will generally find the option under the basic wireless settings category.
13. Control Quality
Most modern routers come with Quality-of-Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use. This is handy if you do lot of video streaming or use Voice over IP (VoIP) often. The last thing you want is to have your video or call quality degrade just because someone is downloading a gigantic video file from Dropbox. You can, for example, specify which applications and services get priority, and set downloaders as lower priority at certain times of the day. Sure, it will take longer to get that file, but everyone else on the network will thank you. QoS settings can typically be found under advanced settings in the network's administrator interface. Some routers may even make it easier by offering a multimedia or gaming setting, so you know those applications will be prioritized.
14. Don't Rely on Obsolete Hardware
A lot of the tips so far have been about getting the most out of your existing equipment, but if you are running old hardware, you can't expect the best performance. We have a tendency to subscribed to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality with back-end devices, especially networking gear. If you bought your router years ago, you are likely still on the 802.11g standard. There are still even 802.11b/a routers in the wild. All three wireless standards cap at fairly low bandwidths. Thus, all the tweaking we've outlined above won't get you far, when you consider the maximum thoughput for 802.11g is 54Mbps. Compare that with the more modern 802.11n at 300Mbps, and the latest 802.11ac at 1Gbps. Our list of the best wireless routers is a good place to start your search.
It's not just the age of your router you should consider. If you bought a PC within the last couple of years, you likely have an 802.11ac wireless adapter, or at least 802.11n, so it should be compatible with newer routers. But if your laptop doesn't have an integrated updated adapter, you can get a USB wireless adapter. In some cases, they may yield better performance than the built-in ones, so if your network router is on 802.11ac, but you are still not getting the kind of performance you expect, look into an adaptor. They aren't that expensive, and having one can make a huge difference.
15. Replace Your Antenna
If your router has a built-in antenna, adding an external version would be a good idea, as the latter tends to send a stronger signal. Many router manufacturers sell omnidirectional antennas, which send a signal to all directions, or directional ones, which send a signal in one specific direction. Most built-in antennas tend to be omnidirectional, so if you are buying an external one, it should be marked "high-gain" to actually make a difference. A directional antenna tends to be a better option, since odds are that you aren't experiencing weak spots in your network in every direction. Point your external antenna in the direction of your weak spot, and it will broadcast the signal accordingly. Check your router manufacturer's website for details on how to buy them.
16. Set Up A Wireless Range Extender
Perhaps it's just a matter of room size. All routers are only capable of broadcasting reliably up to a certain distance. Any further, and the signal gets weak. If your wireless network covers a large area, you need a wireless range extender—also known as a wireless repeater or a Wi-Fi expander—to help boost your signal. This is also a good idea if there are thick walls or other physical structures that block signals.
The range extender looks similar to a router, but it works differently. For starters, it picks up the existing Wi-Fi signal from your wireless router and just rebroadcasts it. As far as your network router is concerned, the range extender is just another client with an IP address, much like your laptop. Even though it's not a router, you should still use the same rules when figuring out where to put the extender. It should be close enough to your main network router to pick up a good signal—80 percent or more is a good rule of thumb—but close enough to the weak spots of the network so that the repeater actually can do its job.
We've reviewed quite a few extenders, and the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi Range Extender (EX7000)$160.99 at Dell is our Editors' Choice. There are some models which you plug directly into a power outlet, such as the TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE450) £59.99 at Novatech Ltd. You don't have to pick an extender that is the same brand or model as your existing router, but you should pick one capable of broadcasting your signal. For example, don't buy an 802.11n extender if your router is on 802.11ac. If you are willing to tinker, and you happen to have routers lying around, you can also make your own repeater, but that's another story altogether.
17. Add Access Points?
For an alternative to extenders, consider access points (APs). These can get really expensive, but they work together to create a mesh network, in which each unit transmit signals to each other, creating a strong and stable wireless network. APs are ideal if you are covering a large space, like multiple floors or even a campus with different buildings. The Amped Wireless High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Access Point (APA20) and our Editors' Choice Meraki MR16 Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point offer easy-to-use cloud portals to help you create large wireless networks, but that may be beyond your needs or budget if you're dealing with a home network.
18. Get Into the Guts of Your Router
The adventurous should look at the open-source DD-WRT router operating system. Belkin maintains a line of DD-WRT-equipped routers in its Linksys lineup, as do other major router manufacturers, such as Buffalo, Netgear, D-Link, and TrendNET. Or you can just download DD-WRT and install it on any router you have lying around. DD-WRT can ramp up performance and give you access to more advanced networking features. This isn't a project to embark on lightly, however, as it's not easy to remove DD-WRT from some routers. Be prepared to sweat and toil, but the rewards may be worth it.
Most of the recommendations here are free or low-cost, and utilize the features already built into your router. Get to know all the capabilities hiding inside the wireless network's administrator interface, and you will be surprised to see how much faster and reliable your network can be.
1. Do not hide your router
Most people hide their routers because they’re unsightly or in the way, but placing a router in a closet or in a cabinet is a one-way ticket to slow Wi-Fi: Walls and doors can degrade and absorb signal strength. Find a central location in your home and put your router on a table or bookshelf. Because some routers are designed to project a Wi-Fi signal slightly downward, keeping it higher off the ground will evenly distribute a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home.
2. Stay away from appliances and metal objects
Microwaves, cordless telephones, flourescent lights, and even other routers in your neighbor’s home or apartment may interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. To reduce interference, place your router away from household appliances and set it to a different wireless channel and frequency. Using online tools, Acrylic Wi-Fi for Windows and AirGrab Wi-Fi Radar for Mac, for example, can help you find the right wireless channel with the least amount of interference. If you want an easier fix, most routers have an automatic option to find the best channel for your location.
You should also avoid placing your router near metal objects, which can absorb signal strength.
3. Reset on schedule
It sounds simple enough, but a majority of tech support problems can be cleared up by simply resetting or rebooting your router or modem on a regular basis. (It's also probably the first thing your Internet provider will ask you to do when you call to complain, so head them off at the pass.) And if you buy an outlet timer, you don't even have to worry about it: Set the timer to reset your router once a day at an off-peak time.4. Adjust your router's antennas
Most routers have two adjustable antennas on top. If yours are parallel, it's time to switch things up and go perpendicular. Wi-Fi works best when signals are parallel to a device’s internal antenna, which are horizontal in laptops and vertical in desktop computers. Internal antennas vary in mobile devices, depending on how you’re holding them (in portrait or landscape mode). Keeping a router’s antennas perpendicular to each other will ensure a solid connection between your home network and your smartphones and laptops.5. Use beer cans
Here's how it works. Step one: Have a beer and wash out the can. Then, remove the pop top and, using a pair of scissors or a utility knife, cut around the bottom of the can to remove it. Repeat the process for the top of the can, just below the mouth, but don’t cut all the way around, leave about 1 to 2 inches of space at the top to make sure the mouth of the can is still attached. Then, from the bottom, cut down the middle of the can on the opposite side of the space. Fan out the flaps to create a curve or parabola and turn the can upside down to stand it up. Stick one of the router's antennas through the mouth of the beer can and use a small piece of duct tape or blu-tack to keep it in place, then repeat the process for the other antenna. Although your router might look messy, your signal strength should greatly improve (at least in certain directions).
If you don’t want to use a beer can, you can use simple household tinfoil to create the same effect.
7. Password protect your network
Because home Wi-Fi speeds are (slightly) dependent on how many people are using it at one time, a strong password is key: It will ensure that only authorized people are using your network. Take advantage of the security already built into your router and select a password (or better yet, a passphrase) that is a hard-to-figure-out combination of letters, numbers, and symbols.8. Stagger heavy bandwidth usage
If too many people on your home network are using heavy bandwidth at the same time, like playing online video games, watching Netflix, and downloading movies and music from iTunes, then your entire network will slow down for everyone. Try to stagger heavy Internet use to make sure your home network is running fast and smooth for all users.9. Update Your Firmware
Perhaps your router just needs an update. Router manufacturers are always tweaking software to eke out a little more performance and speed. How easy or how hard it is to upgrade your firmware depends entirely on your device manufacturer and model. Most current routers have the update process built right into the administration interface, so it's just a matter of hitting a firmware upgrade button. Some models, particularly if they're older, still require you to first find and download the firmware from the router manufacturer's website. It's tedious, but still a good thing to do.In fact, even if your wireless network isn't ailing, you should just make it a point to update your firmware on a regular basis. You will get performance improvements, better features, and security updates that way.
10. Optimal Router Placement
Not all rooms and spaces are created equal. The fact is, where you place the router can affect your wireless coverage. It may seem logical to have the router inside a cabinet and out of the way, or right by the window where the cable comes in, but that's not always the case. A wired router can be tucked away, out of sight, out of mind. A wireless router, on the other hand, needs open spaces, away from walls and obstructions. It's not just physical obstructions either; heavy-duty appliances or electronics running in close proximity can impact Wi-Fi performance.
If your router has external antennas, orient them vertically to bump up coverage. Elevate the router if you can. You can mount it on a wall, or put it on top of a shelf or a table to get a better signal. There are plenty of tools to help you visualize your network coverage. I personally like Heatmapper, or our Editors' Choice, inSSIDer for Office, which shows you both the weak and strong spots in your Wi-Fi network. There are plenty of mobile apps, too, such as Netgear's WiFi Analytics.
11.What's Your Frequency?
Take a look at your network's administrator interface, and make sure you have it configured for optimum performance. If you have a dual-band router, you'll likely get better throughput by switching to the 5GHz band instead of using the more common 2.4GHz band. If nothing else, you will likely encounter less interference from other wireless networks and devices because the 5GHz frequency is not as commonly used. Switching is quite simple. See if your router's administrator interface offers 5GHz. If it does, enable it, and set up the network as you would normally.
12. Change That Channel
Ever play with walkie-talkies as a kid? You may remember how if the units weren't on the same channel, you couldn't hear each other. Or if you wound up on a different channel, you could listen in on someone else's conversation on a completely different set. Same thing with baby monitors.
In the same vein, all modern routers are multichannel, so they can switch across different channels when communicating to your devices. You tend to use whatever the router default is, but if neighboring wireless networks are also using the same channel, then you are going to encounter signal congestion. On Windows-based PCs, you can see what channels neighboring Wi-Fi networks are using. From the command prompt (in Windows 7) if you type netsh wlan show all, you will see a list of all wireless networks and the channels being used in your vicinity. At PC Labs, for instance, most of our networks and those of our neighbors are using channels 6 and 11.
Once you know what channels are in use, pick one that's less congested and manually switch your router to broadcast on that channel. You can find this setting in your wireless network's administrator interface. While the interface differs by device and manufacturer, you will generally find the option under the basic wireless settings category.
Most modern routers come with Quality-of-Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use. This is handy if you do lot of video streaming or use Voice over IP (VoIP) often. The last thing you want is to have your video or call quality degrade just because someone is downloading a gigantic video file from Dropbox. You can, for example, specify which applications and services get priority, and set downloaders as lower priority at certain times of the day. Sure, it will take longer to get that file, but everyone else on the network will thank you. QoS settings can typically be found under advanced settings in the network's administrator interface. Some routers may even make it easier by offering a multimedia or gaming setting, so you know those applications will be prioritized.
A lot of the tips so far have been about getting the most out of your existing equipment, but if you are running old hardware, you can't expect the best performance. We have a tendency to subscribed to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mentality with back-end devices, especially networking gear. If you bought your router years ago, you are likely still on the 802.11g standard. There are still even 802.11b/a routers in the wild. All three wireless standards cap at fairly low bandwidths. Thus, all the tweaking we've outlined above won't get you far, when you consider the maximum thoughput for 802.11g is 54Mbps. Compare that with the more modern 802.11n at 300Mbps, and the latest 802.11ac at 1Gbps. Our list of the best wireless routers is a good place to start your search.
It's not just the age of your router you should consider. If you bought a PC within the last couple of years, you likely have an 802.11ac wireless adapter, or at least 802.11n, so it should be compatible with newer routers. But if your laptop doesn't have an integrated updated adapter, you can get a USB wireless adapter. In some cases, they may yield better performance than the built-in ones, so if your network router is on 802.11ac, but you are still not getting the kind of performance you expect, look into an adaptor. They aren't that expensive, and having one can make a huge difference.
If your router has a built-in antenna, adding an external version would be a good idea, as the latter tends to send a stronger signal. Many router manufacturers sell omnidirectional antennas, which send a signal to all directions, or directional ones, which send a signal in one specific direction. Most built-in antennas tend to be omnidirectional, so if you are buying an external one, it should be marked "high-gain" to actually make a difference. A directional antenna tends to be a better option, since odds are that you aren't experiencing weak spots in your network in every direction. Point your external antenna in the direction of your weak spot, and it will broadcast the signal accordingly. Check your router manufacturer's website for details on how to buy them.
Perhaps it's just a matter of room size. All routers are only capable of broadcasting reliably up to a certain distance. Any further, and the signal gets weak. If your wireless network covers a large area, you need a wireless range extender—also known as a wireless repeater or a Wi-Fi expander—to help boost your signal. This is also a good idea if there are thick walls or other physical structures that block signals.
The range extender looks similar to a router, but it works differently. For starters, it picks up the existing Wi-Fi signal from your wireless router and just rebroadcasts it. As far as your network router is concerned, the range extender is just another client with an IP address, much like your laptop. Even though it's not a router, you should still use the same rules when figuring out where to put the extender. It should be close enough to your main network router to pick up a good signal—80 percent or more is a good rule of thumb—but close enough to the weak spots of the network so that the repeater actually can do its job.
We've reviewed quite a few extenders, and the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi Range Extender (EX7000)$160.99 at Dell is our Editors' Choice. There are some models which you plug directly into a power outlet, such as the TP-Link AC1750 Wi-Fi Range Extender (RE450) £59.99 at Novatech Ltd. You don't have to pick an extender that is the same brand or model as your existing router, but you should pick one capable of broadcasting your signal. For example, don't buy an 802.11n extender if your router is on 802.11ac. If you are willing to tinker, and you happen to have routers lying around, you can also make your own repeater, but that's another story altogether.
For an alternative to extenders, consider access points (APs). These can get really expensive, but they work together to create a mesh network, in which each unit transmit signals to each other, creating a strong and stable wireless network. APs are ideal if you are covering a large space, like multiple floors or even a campus with different buildings. The Amped Wireless High Power 700mW Dual Band AC Wi-Fi Access Point (APA20) and our Editors' Choice Meraki MR16 Cloud Managed Wireless Access Point offer easy-to-use cloud portals to help you create large wireless networks, but that may be beyond your needs or budget if you're dealing with a home network.
18. Get Into the Guts of Your Router
The adventurous should look at the open-source DD-WRT router operating system. Belkin maintains a line of DD-WRT-equipped routers in its Linksys lineup, as do other major router manufacturers, such as Buffalo, Netgear, D-Link, and TrendNET. Or you can just download DD-WRT and install it on any router you have lying around. DD-WRT can ramp up performance and give you access to more advanced networking features. This isn't a project to embark on lightly, however, as it's not easy to remove DD-WRT from some routers. Be prepared to sweat and toil, but the rewards may be worth it.
Most of the recommendations here are free or low-cost, and utilize the features already built into your router. Get to know all the capabilities hiding inside the wireless network's administrator interface, and you will be surprised to see how much faster and reliable your network can be.
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