Taking a few simple steps to optimize your wireless router can significantly improve its signal with minimal effort. Periodically reviewing your network and following these tips can help you get the best performance from your router. Simple Tips to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal
- Regular maintenance, like rebooting your router during off-hours, can help keep it running smoothly. This also allows the router to process automatic updates and implement necessary adjustments.
- Change your Wi-Fi password regularly and keep it private to minimize the risk of unauthorized access, whether from digital freeloaders or unwanted users.
- Keep in mind that some devices may automatically update to use your new password. In such cases, you might need to manually remove these devices or have them “forget” your network.
- For added security, consider enabling your router’s guest network feature. This allows visitors to connect without sharing your main Wi-Fi password.
- Remove outdated devices from your network, as older standards can slow down performance. Routers often default to the slowest standard in use. Disconnecting older devices and rebooting your router will allow it to reconfigure for faster speeds.
- Position your router as close to the center of your home as possible to maximize its range and ensure better connectivity for all your devices. To maintain optimal performance, avoid placing it near sources of interference, like steel beams or thick walls.
- Follow the instructions in your router’s manual to keep its firmware up to date. Firmware updates often improve your router’s performance and automatically optimize its signal.
- If your router has removable antennas, consider upgrading them for better performance. While the included antennas are functional, higher-quality replacements from the router’s manufacturer or third parties can significantly improve signal strength and coverage.
What Should My Router Settings Be?
- Your router lets you prioritize traffic and “whitelist” specific devices, ensuring they get more bandwidth while limiting or ignoring others. Since most routers don’t automatically distinguish between high-demand activities like 4K streaming and low-impact tasks like smart device connections, setting these priorities can significantly improve performance.
- Take note of the “names” assigned to devices on your network. These are typically based on the device’s brand, sometimes customized, like “Jenny’s iPhone.” Simpler devices, such as smart plugs, may display the manufacturer’s name or a serial number. Televisions are often labeled with their location in the house, making them easier to identify.
- Make a list of the rooms where each device connected to your router is located.
- Check your router’s web portal or app for a tab marked “Quality of Service” (QoS) and select it.
- In the QoS settings, you can prioritize specific devices, like your streaming stick, to ensure they get the best performance. You can also block unfamiliar devices, but be sure to check with household members or visitors first to avoid accidentally disconnecting their tablets or other personal devices.
- You can assign devices to specific bands and channels with a dual-band router for optimal performance. Use the 5 GHz bands for devices close to the router, offering faster speeds but a shorter range. Connect devices farther away or frequently moved, like laptops, to the 2.4 GHz band, which has a more extended range but slower speeds.
- If you have multiple devices, consider assigning individual channels within each band. If a device performs better on one channel than another, it may be experiencing interference, such as from a nearby router, on the slower channel.
If you’re unsure about your router’s performance, reach out to your internet service provider. They can often offer assistance and, in some cases, send technicians to help with installation and setup.
Maximizing your router’s performance can be tricky, but a few simple routines and checks can make a big difference when it matters most. Utah Broadband is always here to help if you have any questions or concerns.
