Recent surveys have revealed that most consumers feel that their home networks are underperforming even if you are using fiber internet. With that in mind, let us explore the mistakes that many people may be making.
Location
Poor location is by far the most common problem when it comes to Wi-Fi speeds, and the reason is that most people position their routers for reasons that have nothing to do with performance, such as convenience and aesthetics. Each home is unique, and finding the optimal spot for yours will likely require some trial and error. Avoid trying to hide your router, and keep it away from large appliances that may generate a lot of interference. An elevated position is usually best, so consider purchasing a shelf that adds to your decor but is specifically chosen to accommodate your router.
Coverage
If you have a large home or one that is particularly complex in its design, a lone router may not be enough to give you 100% coverage no matter what you do with it. You have two core options in this scenario: Wi-Fi extenders or a mesh network. Wi-Fi extenders are the cheaper option, and we recommend wired solutions, such as devices that use your home’s electrical system to expand coverage. Wi-Fi repeaters can work but can also be more trouble than they are worth. A mesh network is a graceful and effective solution, but it does require more equipment and can be expensive for the average user.
Equipment
The average household either uses a router-modem combo unit provided by their internet service provider or has purchased a router that costs $50 or less. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to consumer-grade routers. A good router for your home is probably going to cost $100-$200, but the investment is well worth it. Current models are futureproof enough that you can get a good 10 years out of a new router.
Software
Ensure that your router firmware is up to date. It can make a big difference when it comes to performance and certainly does when it comes to security. Set a date. At the beginning of each month, check for a firmware update and install it if available. Better yet, the next time you purchase a new router, consider spending a little more on one that updates itself. Also, power cycle each month even if there is no update. It helps combat a lot of caching issues and thus can improve performance.
Internet Plan
Know what your home internet plan provides you and how you use it. In the last couple of years as more people worked from home, many people video conferencing ran into internet issues. That was because they were using their upload and saturating their bandwidth. Unless you have a backup internet. When you assess your household usage, do not limit yourself just to people. Consider that the average American home now has 17 connected devices, and all of those devices can be using your upload and download.
Final Thoughts
Use an Ethernet cable whenever possible. No matter how good your wireless setup is, it will never beat a wired connection in terms of speed and reliability. For those devices where wireless is the only option, make sure you keep those updated as well. Operating system updates, for instance, can make a significant difference when it comes to internet performance.
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