There are two features on almost every device that can instantly improve the speed of a home's Wi-Fi network if users simply disable them.
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And it only takes seconds for each device, whether it's a smartphone, a laptop, a computer, or a game console.
In an article published in The Conversation last year, postdoctoral fellow Omprakash Kaiwartya and Associate Professor Mufti Mahmud from Nottingham Trent University outlined two little-known ways to improve Wi-Fi speeds. The two techniques aim to reduce competition for a router 's bandwidth .
Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over an internet within a given period of time. This is shared by all internet users in a given area. Of course, this can be done by avoiding Zoom calls and streaming movies on Netflix – activities that require more Wi-Fi than a simple scroll through social media.
But that doesn't work for everyone, always, everywhere. So one trick people can do instead is to turn off automatic updates on their devices, according to Kaiwartya and Mahmud.
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“To have a stable internet connection, disable automatic software updates on your computer,” they wrote.
“These updates can also take up a significant amount of your internet speed in the background, making your connection slower.“
However, it's important to remember to update devices when necessary, as devices with outdated software can also slow down your internet connection.
The second tip is to unplug unused devices – think of old phones, laptops ,tablets and gaming consoles that are quickly heading towards retirement.
“Disconnect any internet-connected devices in your home, such as your smart TV, from Wi-Fi if they are not actively being used.“
“This will improve internet speed for active devices, like your computer, while reducing any potential interference.“
See also: How to share Wi-Fi password from iPhone or iPad
Other tips to boost your Wi-Fi speed
There are a few practical tips that users can follow to optimize their Wi-Fi speed. One of the most important is to place router in a central location in their home. This will help spread the signal throughout the room and reduce the chance of interference from walls and other obstacles.
Another important tip is for users to avoid placing their router near other electronic devices, such as televisions, microwaves, and cell phones. These devices can cause interference with the Wi-Fi signal, thus affecting the connection speed.
Additionally, users can disable Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth features on their devices if they are not using them. These features can affect Wi-Fi speed as they compete for the same frequency band as the Wi-Fi signal.
Source: thesun
