If you've experienced the frustration of slow internet speeds, lagging WiFi connections, and online gaming sessions constantly interrupted by connectivity issues, we understand. We're here to provide you with our best advice on maximising your WiFi connection.
Let's delve into the root causes behind your slow WiFi and unveil actionable strategies for better performance, user experience and enhanced internet speed.
Positioning your router centrally within your home or office is crucial for optimal WiFi performance. Placing it in a central location ensures that the signal coverage is more evenly distributed throughout your space, minimising dead zones and maximising connectivity for all your devices.
Additionally, elevating the router and keeping it away from walls and other electronic devices, especially high-amperage equipment such as microwaves, help to reduce interference, ensuring a stronger and more stable signal. This strategic placement not only enhances your internet experience but also ensures seamless connectivity.
Every month, Interexcel World Connection provides complimentary firmware updates for all our customers with Reyee routers. This service guarantees that all firmware remains current, enhancing both performance and security.
If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) doesn't provide this service, you can effortlessly update your router's firmware independently. As a standard practice, performing these updates monthly ensures your router's security and enhances its performance.
Use a WiFi analyser tool to identify the least congested channel in your area and set your router to that channel.
A WiFi analyser is a tool or application used to analyse and optimise WiFi networks. It helps users identify various aspects of their WiFi connection, such as signal strength, channel congestion, and neighbouring networks. WiFi analysers typically display a visual representation of nearby WiFi networks, allowing users to see which channels are less congested and make adjustments to optimise their own network's performance. These tools are useful for troubleshooting connectivity issues, improving signal strength, and maximising the efficiency of WiFi networks.
Some routers (including those generally shipped by IEWC) do this automatically.
Enable WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your router to prevent unauthorised access. WPA2 and WPA3 are security protocols widely used to encrypt data transmitted over WiFi networks. By enabling WPA2 or WPA3 encryption on your router, all data transmitted between your devices and the router is encrypted, making it more difficult for unauthorised users to intercept and decipher the information.
This also prevents unauthorised individuals from using your network to launch attacks on others, thereby preserving the integrity of your network resources and protecting against potential bandwidth abuse.
Prioritise bandwidth for essential tasks like video conferencing or gaming by configuring Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router. QoS allows you to prioritise certain types of network traffic over others, ensuring that critical activities receive sufficient bandwidth while non-essential ones are restricted.
If your router has external antennas, position them vertically and experiment with their angles for better coverage. By setting external antennas on your router vertically it should lead to better signal coverage, reduced signal interference, enhanced performance, minimisation of dead zones, and an improved overall WiFi experience for all your devices.
If your router is outdated, consider upgrading to a newer model that supports the latest WiFi standards for faster speeds and better performance. A newer model can significantly improve performance, range, and reliability.
If you experience performance issues, frequent drops in connection, slow speeds or dead zones in your home or office, upgrading to a router with better antennas, features and network capabilities, may improve overall coverage.
Ultimately, if you’ve recently upgraded your internet plan to a faster speed tier, your current router may not be capable of delivering the full speed potential. Speak to Interexcel World Connection to find out if you need to upgrade your router to match your internet plan.
If you have dead zones in your home, rather lay cables even if your extender is within range of the primary source to avoid interference. Extenders generally use a technology called WPS which has a very negative impact on bandwidth throughput. Rather put down multiple access points that collaborate, such a Reyee or Unifi.
Ruijie Reyee: This brand provides access points that work in harmony with each other, ensuring seamless coverage throughout your space. With frequency steering technology, these access points intelligently manage the allocation of WiFi channels, directing devices to less congested frequencies for optimal performance. This helps minimise interference and maximise throughput for a smoother internet experience.
Ubiquiti Unifi: Ubiquiti's Unifi series offers a similar ecosystem of access points that coordinate with each other. These access points can be centrally managed through the Unifi Controller software, allowing for easy configuration and monitoring of your WiFi network. With frequency steering capabilities, Unifi access points can dynamically adjust channel assignments to optimise WiFi performance and reduce interference.
Keep access points away from electronic devices like cordless phones, microwave ovens, Bluetooth devices (like headphones or speakers), analog baby monitors, wireless cameras, as well as thick concrete or brick walls, metal surfaces, and metal objects, as they can cause interference.
If you encounter issues, reboot your router to clear its memory and improve performance, especially if you notice a slowdown, as this simple maintenance task can help refresh its operating system and ensure optimal functionality over time.
By rebooting your router you help clear its memory in order for it to perform more efficiently. It may trigger software updates and installation of pending firmware updates. Rebooting helps reset its connection to your Internet Service Provider’s (ISP) network, clearing any temporary conflicts.
For devices that require high bandwidth and low latency, like gaming consoles or smart TVs, consider using Ethernet cables instead of relying solely on WiFi.
Consider exploring these potential solutions to improve your WiFi network. By implementing these suggestions, you can boost the performance and reliability of your WiFi, leading to a smoother and more enjoyable online experience. If you require further assistance or want to discuss any issues, don't hesitate to reach out to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for support in resolving any underlying issues.