There are few things worse than being on an important video call, and the internet suddenly drops out. In the past, internet connectivity at home was not of much importance because everyone had a data pack on their smartphones.
Today, the scenario is vastly different due to a sharp rise in work-from-home models post-pandemic. Even in 2024, nearly 22 million employed adults across the US work from home full-time. This means 14% of the total employed adult population does not go to an office daily.
A standard day of work for these individuals would involve responding to emails, cloud collaboration, remote video-conference meetings, etc. All these activities require a stable and fast internet connection. Then there are other uses like entertainment, family movie nights, and whatnot.
In a nutshell, a solid Wi-Fi network at home is becoming the need of the hour. Unfortunately, many people complain of a poor home wireless network connection. In this article, we will discuss five crucial tips using which you can maximize your home network.
Change the Router Location
Some people tend to choose odd locations for their Wi-Fi router, including a closet or stacking the device inside a box. The fact is that router placement plays a key role in home Wi-Fi network coverage.
It may make sense to place the router out of the way in a cabinet or closet, but this very thing could be the reason why you experience network issues. Keep the following pointers in mind –
- Let the router get some fresh air, and place it away from walls and other obstructions that might interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
- Even a single wall between the router and your workspace can significantly weaken network performance. If possible, eliminate all obstructions.
- In the case of routers with external antennas, ensure that they are standing upright to bump up coverage.
- The best results can be found by placing the router at an elevated location, preferably mounting it on a wall or putting it on a top shelf.
- Finally, try to find a central location within your home. This will improve the signal because routers are generally omnidirectional – their signals travel in all directions.
Upgrade the Router
In numerous cases, the problem is not with Wi-Fi router placement but with router troubleshooting issues. Several tweaks and settings are already available in the router’s interface. These may include settings for adjusting transmission power, the ability to switch to another signal, etc.
You must begin by trying the different router adjustments to see if the connectivity issues are gone. If not, simply upgrade to a newer router, as WOW! states that it will let you leverage the latest Wi-Fi standards. This means you can enjoy the fastest possible speed and high bandwidth.
An upgrade may also be overdue if the number of devices connected to the network has suddenly increased, there are persistent security issues, or you’re dealing with too many dead zones.
Adjust Your Daily Consumption Habits
Now, some internet activities are perfectly valid, especially those involving work-from-home duties and some refreshing entertainment. The network may be under pressure if multiple parties are working from the same home.
In any case, it is good to conduct a data audit to assess your family’s overall internet consumption. In many cases, you may be using up bandwidth unnecessarily. For instance, does every video streaming session require the highest resolution?
Similarly, children within the same household do not need to watch cartoons or other videos on different devices.
Invest in a Wi-Fi Extender
You may feel too overwhelmed to experiment with the router settings. On the other hand, your budget may be too tight to immediately invest in a router upgrade. In that case, consider investing in a Wi-Fi extender or repeater.
It is a device that can be easily plugged into a spare wall socket and connected to the current Wi-Fi network. Simple to set up and easy to use, the device extends the connectivity to rid the home of dead zones.
Keep in mind that the extended or repeated signals will not be as strong as those originating from the router. This is where the importance of positioning comes in. Also, try to use the extended signals for devices that do not require a high bandwidth.
Ward off Network Intruders
Shockingly, many individuals do not have a secure password to protect their Wi-Fi network. An open network is an easy target for hackers and neighbors wanting to Netflix off of your bandwidth.
Ensure your wireless network’s password is not easily identifiable and has AES encryption, which is the most secure and speed-friendly option. Other ways to ward off intruders include ensuring the router software is up-to-date, having a good firewall, using VPNs, and turning off network name broadcasting.
As per Statista, 66.2% of the worldwide population is on the internet these days. In January 2024, the number of internet users amounted to 5.35 billion. As the worldwide digital population increases, peak internet usage has become the new normal.
Without a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection at home, you may miss out on benefits like higher productivity, better collaboration, enhanced gaming experiences, undisturbed movie nights, and so on. Follow the tips mentioned in this article and get the most out of your wireless home network.
