It is a truth universally acknowledged that nothing is worse than a weak WiFi signal. That one bar can drive even the most patient internet surfer crazy, and if you are finding that you spend more time in your house looking for a signal than actually having a signal, it might be time to make some changes.
Check your speed
First thing’s first: you need to do a broadband speed test to check how fast your broadband is. As they say, you need to know the diagnosis before you can treat the problem.
Move your router
Router placement can solve a lot of slow connection problems. Move it away from walls, or any obstructions, and don’t place it on the ground. Usually the premium place to put them is actually in the centre of your house or apartment, boosting their reach.
Secure your network
It is important to secure your WiFi network with a strong password to avoid your neighbours or even people nearby piggy backing off your network, and potentially using it to stream or download content.
Make sure there’s no interfering signals
Things like baby monitors or even Bluetooth speakers can interfere with your WiFi signal, so make sure if you have these types of devices you station them away from your router.
Consider a signal booster
If you are really struggling to gain speed, a signal booster can solve a lot of problems. This will boost the range and the strength of your WiFi and is particularly handy if you find the signal is very weak on one side of your house.
Update your router
Another way to boost your signal is by simply buying another router, which may just be the best solution if you live on a couple of floors.
Revise your browser settings
It may sound simple, but updating your browser software of changing to a new browser altogether can increase your speed. Newer browsers are better and more efficient at blocking speed draining pop-ups and include search shortcuts.
Investigate another plan
If all else fails, and none of these hacks work, it might just be time to get a new provider. Researching these has become far easier since broadband price comparison websites have popped up. They usually come with a program that can examine the best internet providers for your area and then break it down by price.
Don’t spend your days looking for those extra bars of signal, make your access to internet as easy and stress free as possible by implementing as many of these hacks as you can!
Image by Pixabay used under the Creative Commons license.
