7 hacks to improve your Wi-Fi speed and signal at home

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It’s a lazy Sunday morning, and you’re curled up in the coziest corner of your home. You’re blissfully scrolling through your social media feeds, YouTube shorts, etc. when the Wi-Fi gives you the cold shoulder – one of the most unfortunate incidents of life!

Too bad you’ll have to leave your favorite spot to see what’s up, but the hacks we share today might help restore what’s lost. Contacting customer support for assistance is recommended if you’ve recently switched to a different Internet Service Provider (ISP).

It can be quite a hassle when there’s a language barrier between the customer and the customer service rep. But if you have Optimum, then it won’t be a problem. Optimum makes quick internet solutions accessible to everyone by providing personalized customer service.

If you require instructions or guidance in Spanish, Optimum servicio al cliente en español can help you 24/7. But if you want to DIY your internet problem, here are ten hacks to improve your Wi-Fi signal at home and get back to your online activities in no time:

Table of Contents

  1. Reposition the Router
  2. Install a Wi-Fi Extender or Repeater
  3. Update your Password
  4. Reboot
  5. Disconnect Extra Devices
  6. Replace or Add Router Antennas
  7. Switch to another Channel or Frequency

The Ultimate Solution

1. Reposition the Router

The placement of your internet router is fundamental to the strength of the Wi-Fi signal. Avoid placing the router close to metallic objects and electric appliances because they are infamous for causing Wi-Fi dead zones.

Electromagnetic waves interfere with the Wi-Fi signal, so the kitchen is usually the worst place for fitting your router. Routers placed in open, high, and unobstructed spots give the best signal and coverage.

Therefore, if your router is sitting in an enclosed space like a drawer or somewhere in the corner of the ground, move it to an elevated and exposed space. Proximity to the Wi-Fi source will also significantly improve the signal; hence, plug it close to you or relocate it to the room where it is set up/fixed.

2. Install a Wi-Fi Extender or Repeater

Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters are great for expanding Wi-Fi coverage in a big house or living space. You can easily get an extender/ repeater for under a hundred bucks, and it’s best if you purchase it from your ISP.

The Wi-Fi extender amplifies the existing signal from your router, making it available as an additional network to faraway or isolated parts of your home. The extended signal may not be as strong as the original, but it works for most mundane online activities.

We recommend you buy Wi-Fi repeaters of the same brand as your router to avoid compatibility issues. Your Wi-Fi extender will likely come with an instruction manual, but you can always refer to an online resource for help setting it up.

3. Update your Password

Slow or weak Wi-Fi can result from intruders using your bandwidth and data. If your Wi-Fi isn’t password protected, your neighbors probably use it to download all kinds of stuff at your expense. Another possibility is that your password is weak and easy to guess.

If you get a lot of guests and share your Wi-Fi password often, you must change it just as often. Refrain from generic Wi-Fi passwords like “qwerty123” or your phone number; anybody can figure these out and take advantage.

Don’t assume your neighbors won’t use your Wi-Fi because they have their own. Look out for outsiders connected to your network, and change over to a strong password to block them out accordingly.

4. Reboot

The first thing most people suggest to resolve any internet-related issues is to restart the device. This may sound naïve, and you may not expect it to work, but it does occasionally. Rebooting the router is not magic, and it may not necessarily make a difference, but it’s worth a shot.

Most of the time, switching off the router and turning it on again clears its memory and prompts installing updates. As a result, the speed and signal of your Wi-Fi is restored like a miracle. Moreover, rebooting the router may automatically reconnect to the best available channel for minimum interference.

5. Disconnect Extra Devices

Sometimes, you don’t need intruders to occupy all your bandwidth and slow down the Wi-Fi. If you have multiple mobile and smart home devices on the network, they could be using up data in the background. Most home routers can connect ten (sometimes more) devices, so you may have maxed it out. Remove the online devices that are not in use, which shall improve Wi-Fi performance on the remaining gadgets.

6. Replace or Add Router Antennas

The average router has a short antenna, barely enough to transmit Wi-Fi signals around a small home. If your house is spacious or you require internet connectivity on multiple floors, you need a stronger antenna or several of them.

Larger antennae up to 15 inches tall provide more than twice as much coverage. Some routers allow the fixation of multiple antennae that can magnify the Wi-Fi parameter to serve an expansive space.

In addition, the antenna that comes with the router is omnidirectional, i.e., designed to send signals in all directions. If you prefer to receive signals in one specific direction, replace it with a directional one with “high-gain.”

7. Switch to another Channel or Frequency

If too many houses in your neighborhood use the same ISP as you, the sluggish Wi-Fi is most likely caused by too much traffic on the shared Wi-Fi channel. You can log into your ISP user portal and look for the option to switch to a less crowded channel.

Many traditional routers connect to the 2.4 GHz frequency band by default. You may have to look up router settings to switch to a different frequency and get better Wi-Fi reception.

The Ultimate Solution

If all seven hacks have failed you, consider upgrading your router or signing up with a better ISP. Modern routers integrate more advanced technologies that automatically adjust connectivity issues and provide a user-friendly interface.

As a last resort, you can always contact customer service for help and advice. If you’ve already done that and the problem persists, upgrade your internet package or look for a more reliable ISP to make the switch.