How to Increase Wi-Fi Speed

You might not think much about it until the movie you're streaming crashes. Or your files can't be uploaded to the cloud. Or your web browser keeps spinning without loading the page you want.

With millions of wireless device users connected to Wi-Fi around the world, it's no wonder people want to know how to increase their Wi-Fi speed for a better experience in streaming entertainment, uploading and downloading large files, and playing wireless games.

Innovations like the recent big leap to Wi-Fi 6 technology mean today's Wi-Fi is nearly 3x faster than the previous generation. 2 And because Wi-Fi speed is often tied to the range of an internet connection, there are several ways to help improve performance at home.

Below we will show you how to determine the Wi-Fi generation on your device. Here are some additional terms you need to know about Wi-Fi connections:

Speed—New Wi-Fi technology transmits data faster than the previous generation. Faster connections result in higher Wi-Fi speeds.

Coverage & Capacity—Wi-Fi speed is part of the game. You want a router that can deliver better Internet speeds to more devices and longer distances. The new 160MHz-capable router offers both - more capacity and range.

With a faster Wi-Fi connection, you can easily stream movies, games, videos, and other data-heavy applications with better reliability, lower latency, and higher data quality for images, graphics, and communications. . . .

Why Your Wi-Fi Is Slow

There are many possible reasons for a slow connection speed. Physical barriers, such as walls and floors, can affect the wireless signal. The distance between the device and the access point and the number of devices using your Wi-Fi network also affect the connection speed. Even simple things like adjusting the router's height from the floor can affect its performance.

Be sure to talk to your Internet service provider to make sure you're getting the speed you're paying for. Different providers offer different speeds, and you may not have the most suitable plan for your connectivity needs.

Three main things affect the speed of your Internet connection—router placement, technology, and connected devices.

How to Speed ​​Up Wi-Fi Speed

1.Put the router in the open. Because Wi-Fi is truly wireless, connection speed is affected by distance, obstructions (such as walls, floors, and ceilings), electrical interference, and the number of users on the network. All of them contribute to the slow speed of the Wi-Fi connection.

For the best signal, place the wireless router out in the open on the main floor of the house, away from walls and obstructions. Ideally, you want to place it away from the floor, on top of your furniture. Keep it away from other electronic devices that may cause interference, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones. You can also try orienting the antenna vertically, one horizontally and one vertically.

Wondering where the wireless blind spots are around your home? Try using a mobile app, such as CloudCheck*, to test it. It can also help you identify the best signal strength locations, so you can find a good spot for the router. Think of it like feng shui Wi-Fi for your wireless router.

2. Use current Wi-Fi technology. Technology changes rapidly, and one of the best ways to define your wireless network is to use the latest hardware. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is the biggest leap forward in wireless technology in more than a decade, enabling 2 higher speeds, 3 lower latency and 4 more capacity in PCs, mobile phones, and home routers and gateways. Older, lower-performance technologies such as Wireless-N (802.11n) and Wireless-AC (802.11ac) can be found in most mobile and IoT devices, while other technologies are running out.

The new Wireless-AC routers have data transfer speeds up to three times faster than older Wireless-B/G/N models, and they offer "dual-band" functionality so you can free up channels for older wireless devices to access.

The new Wi-Fi 6 routers have 3x faster data transfer speeds2 than standard Wi-Fi 5 solutions, and they offer "dual-band" functionality so you can free up channels for older wireless devices to access.

And of course, you will be able to choose the latest Wi-Fi with WPA and your Wi-Fi network with a password so that your neighbors can't watch videos on the internet with your connection.

3.Restrict device and optimize settings. Playing online games, video chatting, and streaming movies and videos consumes a lot of bandwidth, and all of them can slow down Internet speed and access for everyone connected to a Wi-Fi network. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings that let you control which applications have priority access to Internet bandwidth. For example, you might want to prioritize video calls if you have a lot of meetings, and lower the priority for downloading files from the cloud. You can always get your files later, but you don't want to be connected on calls with important clients or family members.

You should also make sure that your wireless router has the latest firmware and driver updates. While many newer routers have the process installed, you'll need to access your router's settings to perhaps start it manually or visit your device manufacturer's website to fix bugs.

You can also find options on the router. By default, many wireless routers are set to run on channel 6. This means that neighboring routers can also run on channel 6, causing congestion on the channel due to the number of connected devices. Using a tool such as Wi-Fi Analyzer* or Wi-Fi Scanner* can help you identify router channels with more bandwidth that will provide increased Internet speed.

If your router is relatively new, it should be able to switch between two radio frequencies—2.4 GHz (older standard) and 5 GHz (newer standard). Smart wireless routers can choose the best frequency for you and your environment. Each frequency has multiple channels: 14 at 2.4 GHz and 30 at 5 GHz. So, if the router has the ability to automatically switch between frequencies, it can choose between 44 channels. You can check the wireless router settings to see if the router can automatically switch between channels and frequencies for optimal settings.

More Tips

Looking for another way to try increasing your Wi-Fi speed and extending the range of your Internet connection?

1.Use a wireless range extender. While they can't speed up your connection, they can boost your signal to the point where the signal in your home or office can't be reached. For example, if the router is on the first floor of the house, you may want to add a wireless coverage extension on another floor to improve the signal. This can be especially helpful in areas with thick walls or other physical structures that can block the wireless signal.

2.Add an access point. Think of an access point like setting up a wireless network around your home. Access points send Internet signals to each other to create a wireless network. Made for large spaces with multiple floors.

3. Speed ​​up data flow. Those invisible wireless connections can have a huge impact on our daily lives—determining how much we need to get done or how long we can relax. No one wants intermittent video calls, slow video streaming, or slow file downloads. With a little knowledge, the right router, and some intention, you can tweak your wireless router settings to increase the channel width to a choice of 20, 40, 80, and even 160 MHz to speed up your Wi-Fi connection and extend range. .

4.Update routers, gateways and devices to the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard. Enjoy Gigabit speeds and greater responsiveness with PCs and routers featuring best-in-class Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) technology