How to increase WiFi speeds in 8 simple steps

Many factors can influence your internet speed and affect your WiFi network’s performance, even with Gig speed internet, such as the following:

WiFi interference could be slowing down your internet.

The further the signal has to go, or the more it has to travel through and around, the slower the speeds will be.

Physical barriers like walls or appliances and the number of devices connected will all slow down WiFi speed.

If your router is old, too slow, or just not designed for faster connections, you may experience slower-than-normal upload and download speeds.

Certain older year models of modems and routers are not capable of delivering Gigabit+ speeds.

In addition, your modem could cause connection issues with your service provider if it’s at the end of its life.

It could be time to consider updating your technology to the latest and greatest products and services available.

Learn More: Astound compatible modems and routers

Some devices can’t support faster speeds.

To see what speeds your device can support, check the owner’s manual or perform a web search using the device’s model number.

It is also possible that your equipment operates with obsolete drivers or firmware.

Drivers and firmware help your devices make WiFi connections.

It’s the software embedded within your devices, including your router and modem, that ensures they are secure and operating at their peak performance.

So outdated firmware can cause your router or modem to slow down your internet speeds.

Firewalls, antivirus software, and virtual private networks (VPN) can cause interference on your network.

Firewalls or antivirus programs on your computer or smartphone can slow down connection speeds—because they’re constantly scanning data for malware or viruses before letting data through.

A VPN encrypts data to protect your privacy, which can also slow speeds.

Learn More: 6 Internet Security Tips To Keep You Secure

The first thing you can do to improve your internet speed is to move your router.

If your router isn’t in the right location, the signal might not be strong enough to reach all corners of your home or could cause WiFi interference.

Placing the router in an enclosed space will reduce the wireless range of your network, which can slow down your connections.

Instead, give your router the best seat in the house to optimize its performance:

• Place your router in a central location up off the floor in an open space
• Keep your router away from windows, other electronics, heat sources, moisture, extreme cold, or large metal objects
• It’s best to have your router on the main floor where the Internet is frequently accessed, not in a basement or attic

Power cycling your modem means turning it off along with all connected devices, waiting 30 seconds, and then turning everything back on again.

When you restart your WiFi equipment regularly, it ensures that there are no problems with any hardware, such as overheating routers or dropped connections from faulty cables.

This also refreshes the relationship between the devices in your network, giving you the following benefits:

• Reduced latency: A connection refresh can minimize the delay between devices on your home network or over a wide area network
• Improved reliability: Many devices perform embedded software updates for bugfixes and increased security to ensure dependability
• Increased performance: Resetting connections can enhance the features within a device to optimize performance

Remember, all devices share your connection speed within your home network.

If your neighbors are using your WiFi, they’re using your bandwidth, too.

Require a password to join your network so that you can protect your connection from malicious cyber attacks or neighbors adding their devices to your broadband.

If any device becomes infected with a virus or malware, it can slow down your connection.

When you run regular virus scans to keep your devices clean of viruses and malware, it will improve your speed.
 
Learn more: How to secure your home WiFi

To ensure access to the fastest internet and WiFi speeds, you can upgrade to fiber internet and purchase Gig internet speeds.

Fiber internet transmits data through fiber optic cables.

It’s the fastest and most reliable form of internet available.

Gigabit+ speeds (1 Gig, 1200 Mbps, 1500 Mbps, 2 Gig, or 5 Gig) are much faster than cable or DSL.

Fiber optic technologies are capable of delivering these speeds to your home.

If you live in an area where fiber internet is available, upgrading to faster internet will improve your service and provide you with multiple benefits.

1. Quick download speeds
2. Fast upload times
3. Reduced buffering or dropped connections
4. More reliable connections for video conferencing and live streams
5. Better support for multiple users on the same WiFi network
6. Optimized speed for gaming

If you don’t have access to fiber or don’t have the option to upgrade, there are still ways you can get faster speeds.