With the transition to working from home, engagement in video conference calls, and potentially having multiple people working from the same home at the same time, it is easy to see how there can be increased demand on your WiFi. Many people report slower speeds and unstable connections interfering with their ability to fully participate in their work meetings – or enjoy the latest movie on Netflix!
Outlined below are some initial steps you can take to try and improve your WiFi speed at home:
Understanding Your Current State
- Test your broadband speed by visiting a website like Speed Test and verify that the speeds reported for uploading and downloading reflect what you agreed to with your internet service provider
- Heat mapping tools allow you to identify the strength of your WiFi signal in a given location and understand whether or not the area you are working in needs to be adapted to improve the WiFi signal strength
- Tidy up your computer by removing programs you don’t use, or disabling programs that are working in the background that you don’t need
- If many people are using the WiFi at any given time, this can slow down the speed and impact your connection. Ensure that your WiFi connection is only being accessed by those given permission, such as those sharing the same residence, and isn’t being slowed down by people hopping onto your connection.
Location, Location, Location
Where your router is located, as well as what is around it, can greatly impact your WiFi signal strength. Use the recommendations listed below to maximize the location and positioning of your router for optimal WiFi signal strength.
Best Places for your Router
- Elevated, such as on a mantle or a shelf
- Central spot in the house, or central to where you need the strongest connection (such as near or in your home office)
Consider this within the number of floors in your house
- 1 floor = put it centrally
- 2 floors = put it on the top floor
- 3 floors = put it on the middle floor
Move other electronics away from the router as they might interfere with the signal. For example, don’t charge your phone beside the router, or leave the baby monitor nearby
Places to Avoid Putting your Router
- In the kitchen, as these appliances (like a microwave) can interfere with the signal
- Near metal, as this prevents transmission of the WiFi signal
- In a corner of your house or beside a structural pillar, as the WiFi signal will end up transmitting signals into the wall or structure as opposed to needed areas
- By a window, because WiFi signals will end up travelling outside instead of within your living space
- In the basement, as the signals cannot pass through cement or concrete easily
Try out these suggestions to boost your WiFi signal in those key areas of your home.
Please note, the above mentioned tools are just one of many options available and are only provided to serve as an example of the suggestion discussed. TJ Home Automation has not received any financial compensation for mentioning these tools and does not endorse these tools over any other. TJ Home Automation promotes finding a tool that best meets your needs.
