No one likes to wait forever for webpages to load while surfing the internet, which is a sure sign of a weak Wi-Fi connection. So how can you avoid this problem? There are a few simple tweaks you can make to improve your Wi-Fi connection, making it faster and more reliable.
First thing’s first, however, and you will want to perform a speed test, in order to get a baseline idea of your internet speed. If you perform multiple speed tests, you will have a better idea of whether the problem is consistent, or if it occurs at particular times of the day or days of the week. This will give you better insight into whether it truly is a problem with your Wi-Fi or with you broadband connection.
Take a Look at Your Network
Many of the underlying causes of a slow Wi-Fi connection can be tweaked with a few simple changes to network settings. If your Wi-Fi is on the same signal as your neighbor’s then it may slow down you connection. Additionally, adding a password to you Wi-Fi network will not only add security, but also ensure that additional devices aren’t using up your bandwidth.
If you have several devices using your network, you may want to turn off the Wi-Fi on those that are not in use. The more devices you have connected to your Wi-Fi network, the more bandwidth it uses, slowing down the connection speed.
Update Your Hardware
If you’ve had your wireless router for a while, it may be time to move on to a newer model. Older routers and modems can be slower, which will reduce the speed of you internet connection. New wireless AC models may enhance your Wi-Fi experience.
While you are updating your hardware, you may also want to change the position of your wireless router. The best position for the wireless router is away from things that cause interference like walls, or even other electronic devices. The router should also never be placed on the floor, but should rather be placed on a high shelf to improve its performance.
Try Plugging In
If your Wi-Fi connection is being particularly slow and stubborn, you may want to just plug in an Ethernet cable for a bit, if you really need a faster connection. Wireless connections can decrease internet speeds by 30 percent or more. So in a pinch going wired might be the best way to go.
Contact Your Service Provider
If you have attempted all the necessary adjustments to improve your Wi-Fi connection, but it still seems slow, then it might not be your Wi-Fi at all. Your broadband connection might be underperforming. If it is related to your broadband, it may be time to change your internet provider. CenturyLink in Junction City, might be a good place to start looking for options.
There are several reasons for this. If you are connecting during peak hours, your internet service provider may have traffic management policies in place, which can reduce speeds. If you’ve been a particularly heavy data user, then your plan might have a fair usage policy in place, which slows internet speeds after a certain amount of data usage is reached. Your plan may also have a data limit, in which case you may want to check to make sure you haven’t gone over. If you are going over there are tools to help you monitor your data usage.
If you Wi-Fi connection seems slower than usual, there are a few troubleshooting tips you can use to improve the speed. However, if those don’t work, its likely not your wireless, but your broadband connection causing the problem.