Now that many of us are stuck at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we're overloading our home networks. Below are some ways to improve your Wi-Fi speed and reliability.
If the router or modem cable is old, replace it
If your ISP gave you a cable modem five years ago or more, you may want to replace the hardware. Wi-Fi standards have evolved significantly in recent years, and your devices may support newer standards than your router/access point. 802.11g (introduced in 2003) has a maximum transmission speed of 65Mbps and supports only one antenna/transmitter with a total bandwidth of 20Mhz. 802.11n (introduced in 2009) is a dual-band 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz standard, supporting 40Mhz and 80Mhz channels.
Depending on the capabilities of the client hardware communicating with them, the latest 802.11ac and 802.11x (Wi-Fi6) standards can transmit data using 160Mhz channels, using multiple beamforming antennas and transmitters (MU-MIMO). This is only possible with modern Wi-Fi chipsets supported by smartphones, tablets , and laptops released in the last three years.
Cable modem technologies have also improved, with DOCSIS 3.1 being able to support 1Gbps transfer speeds due to multi-channel support – call your provider and find out if this can improve your broadband speeds. You may need to upgrade to a higher service level to support it.
Use the right frequency for the right job
2.4Ghz networks may be your only option for legacy devices that you can't easily replace, such as smart plugs and IoT switches . However, using a combination of 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks is ideal for channel decongestion.
If your device supports a 5Ghz band, be sure to use it, there is no benefit in using the older frequency band as it will have to compete with other 2.4Ghz devices in a very saturated frequency spectrum.
Place the access point in the best spot
While you might be tempted to hide your router or AP behind a piece of furniture or desk, don’t do it – it will affect its performance. Put it on top of a desk, on a TV stand, or even outside in the open. If possible, place it as high up and in an open area as possible, with a wall mount.
The broadband drop may be in the corner of your house where the provider "threw" the fiber, so this is probably not the best place in the house to transmit the signal. If you now need to connect with a long Ethernet cable to the modem, then Cat5 cables may be useful.
Connect the AP or router (in AP mode) using the spare Ethernet port on the router provided by your provider. You may need to buy a cheap ethernet switch if you don't have enough ports.
If you don't have a power outlet for the AP you are placing it on, you can use Power over Ethernet (PoE) compatible APs. You will need to purchase a PoE ethernet switch for those APs that are connected, which you can keep near your residential gateway/cable modem and other network equipment/devices.
Disable the Wi-Fi radios on the old router and don't run Double NAT
If you purchase a second router/AP to supplement network , make sure to disable the 2.4 GHz (and optionally 5 GHz) Wi-Fi on your home gateway or existing router, because you don't need multiple 2.4 GHz networks, it only adds to the congestion.
If you can't upgrade your home gateway (because your provider is keeping it/won't replace it), consider purchasing a small business access point or wireless router that can be configured in AP/Bridge mode (level 2). This is done with an app on smartphone or the web user interfaces for the router or AP.
While many consumer routers can do this, such as products from Linksys and NetGear, not all of them are capable, so be sure to read the online manual before committing to a specific model. Under no circumstances should you run a secondary NAT (Network Address Translation – another router) behind the primary router, as this will cause a lot of connectivity and performance issues.
Make sure the cables are in good condition
Just because you got a free cable with a device ten years ago doesn't mean it's still working perfectly. If your Cat-5 cable is old, frayed, or shows any signs of wear, replace it. In general, check all the cables you use and of course get new ones if necessary because they are very likely to cause you connection problems.
Consider adding some mechanism to improve your signal
Purchase one of the following devices or install
- Range extenders
- Powerline devices
- MoCA adapters
- Mesh systems
Use an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, if possible of course.
If you can connect your computer to your computer with wired Ethernet, directly to your router or switch, then by all means, do that – it will always be faster. It will always be the most reliable connection possible. If your laptop doesn’t have an Ethernet port, like one of the newer Macbooks or Microsoft Surfaces, you can buy a USB-C/Thunderbolt docking station, which provides multiple ports, including Ethernet, USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI output for external displays.
