Featured article by Calvin Paige, Independent Technology Author
It seems like we all keep paying more and more every year for our connectivity. From mobile data plans to in-home broadband plans, we just keep spending more and more for speeds that don’t seem to improve.
No matter where you live or how you use the internet, almost everyone has the same question: Why is my WiFi slow?
Well, in some cases there are some easy ways to improve your WiFi connection that don’t require investing even more money. If you actually look into the problem, it could simply be a problem with your equipment, setup, or settings. Ultimately, this could be a “you problem” rather than an underlying issue with the connection.
If that is the issue, you are in luck. By simply following a few easy tips, you may be able to rectify the concern and start seeing better results almost immediately.
1. Diagnosing the Problem
The first step to understanding the problem is by diagnosing it properly. Start by using a reputable service, like Speedtest by Ookla, to check both the download and upload speeds you are experiencing at home. This is the easiest way to check your WiFi connection strength without spending money, and it will tell you whether things are actually moving at a turtle’s pace or perhaps there is another problem at play with the router, computer, or others devices you may be using around the house.
2. Check the Router
If the speeds are actually slow, look into your router. It could be an outdated model or have a weak antenna. If so, you will need to get a better device or install a software update. But first thing’s first: Check the location. It could be simply positioned in a location that makes the connection weak when your devices link up. Test out the connection as close as possible and see if that is what’s causing slow speeds. And there could also be an issue with any “signal extender” devices you are using. If those are part of your setup, disable them for now and check to see if the strength improves without it in the mix. In other cases, purchasing a WiFi booster could improve the situation. This may be a solution if nothing else seems to work.
3. Kick Off Unwanted Users
One issue some people experience is others piggybacking on their signal. Whether this is a neighbor who is enjoying free internet at your expense or some devices within your own home, there could simply be a drain on the resources. If too many things are connected to the same signal, it can become overused and weakened. A quick way to check this is by changing the password. This should prevent anything from connecting except for the one device you will use to test the speeds. Then, if you see improvement, you can start reconnecting through other smart home systems, commonly used screens, or other devices.
4. Reboot the Connection
Last but not least, try the old standby for all tech problems: “Turn it off then turn it back on again.” In some situations, the signal has simply been weakened by some glitch going on. And because systems are generally so reliable now, you may go months — or even years — without a shutdown that lets the system fire back up again properly. It may not make any logical sense, and its hard to pinpoint exactly why, but the classic reboot solution may be the answer and really should be the first thing you try before you go to more drastic, and potentially expensive, options.
Getting Up to Speed
Despite all the complaining, WiFi and internet speeds are usually pretty good across the United States. You should be getting what you pay for and the problem is often coming from within the house.
So just by diagnosing, troubleshooting, and fixing a few simple issues, you may be able to get the strength up to the expected level you need. Just like that, with a little bit of effort invested, you’ll be back up to speed in no time.
