Five easy WiFi hacks to instantly boost broadband speed for free
With many people still working from home nowadays, many of us are reliant on having a decent broadband connection to get tasks done. Even for everyday moments like streaming your favourite show or playing games, we all hope that we won't have to deal with slow loading times and buffering.
Sadly, many households aren't getting the download speeds they need, which can be highly frustrating at times - especially if you are paying a large monthly fee. The lack of signal may currently feel worse as many households have more people at home throughout the day as the school holidays have begun.
While download speeds are largely decided by your provider and how much you pay for your chosen deal, there are a few ways you can give your WiFi a boost for free. By making these quick and simple changes, households will be able to enjoy all their favourite content, while also getting work done, throughout the summer holidays.
For those who feel as though their WiFi speeds are slugging along, here are five simple tricks to give your broadband an instant boost.
1. Move your router
For those frustrated with their slow and dismal download speeds, the first thing households should do is check the position of their router, reports the Express. If you are someone who has the device behind the TV, placed under the stairs or in a cupboard, you need to make changes immediately.
In order to get the best speeds, the router needs to be placed out in the open to get an optimal signal. It is advised that the box is placed in a central position and off the floor, if possible.
Households should also avoid placing their router near cordless phones or baby monitors, as these devices will clash with the WiFi and slow it down as they emit their own signals.
2. Avoid Windows
While your flashing WiFi box should be out in the open, this does not mean it should be placed on a window ledge as this can lead to a couple of issues. The first is that the households will lose some of their much-needed signal as some of it will be beamed outside instead of bouncing around the inside of your home.
The other problem is the sunshine. With the heatwaves the UK has been blasted with over the last month, and another fast approaching this weekend, many of us have been overheating. The same can also be said for your router.
Much like most technology, WiFi routers hate being too hot and can grind to halt or completely shut down if they overheat. To minimise this casualty, any routers currently placed on window ledges should be moved immediately.
3. WiFi enemy number one - the microwave
One of the worst rooms in the house to place your router is the kitchen. With a variety of metal objects, this room can easily mess with your WiFi signal. However, the biggest enemy of the router that is housed in the kitchen is the microwave.
Download speeds can be instantly messed with if households have their microwave on constantly to cook their everyday meals. Boasting the same 2.4 Ghz frequency as the WiFi routers, microwaves will disrupt, clash and even shut down any internet connection.
4. Watch out for pets
While you may think this trick means placing your router out of the way of your cat or dog so it doesn't get hit and damaged, this hack is actually aimed at those who have fish in their homes.
It turns out that WiFi really hates water, and if the box is close to a huge fish tank, this could be the reason your signal is having a meltdown. By simply moving your router away from the wet stuff, you should see an instant improvement to your download speeds.
5. Give it a reboot, but don't leave it off
One of the most common suggestions you will be given if your WiFi is running slow is to give the router a reboot. Simply switching your WiFi off and on again can do wonders for the device, including fixing issues, clearing bugs and bringing speeds back on track.
It is recommended that if households are experiencing problems they should turn off their router, wait one minute, then turn it back on. However, you should make sure this is done when there are no pressing tasks to be done like Zoom calls, as the rebooting process can take up to five minutes to complete.
While a restart is a helpful hack, households are warned to not turn their router off overnight as the device won't be able to get any crucial upgrades. Additionally, constantly turning the router off and on can also send signals to the ISP that there is an issue with the line. This can actually slow things down as emergency restrictions are put in place.
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