Tips to speed up your home connection

So you’ve just unboxed a brand new tablet, next-gen PC or console, or a beautiful new smart TV. The money is spent, you are excited; You’re ready to dive into 4K streaming, smooth gaming, and instant web browsing. But then…reality hits. Brutal buffering times, lag spikes, that spinning wheel of bitter disappointment. But how? You have the most recent devices and a nbn® broadband plan on a Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) connection, so what does it mean?

This is a common and heartbreaking scenario; your exciting new technology is being held back by a slow or unreliable internet connection. You can spend a fortune on the latest gadgets, but if your Wi-Fi router is hiding in a dusty closet (or worse, if it’s older than your dog), those new gadgets might seem just as slow as your old ones.

If your Wi-Fi configuration is outdated or misconfigured, even the most powerful processor and clearest display may not save you from a slow online experience. In particular, if your Wi-Fi router is more than five years old, it may be time to consider whether it’s still fit for purpose with the rest of your technology. Don’t let your new equipment be held back by an old, tired Wi-Fi signal. Let’s fix this!

Location, Location, Location: The Location of Your Wi-Fi Router Matters

Think of your Wi-Fi router as a mini streaming station. Just like a radio station, its signal needs a clear path to reach you effectively. And just like a radio, it fights against interference and distance. This is why placement is often the simplest solution when it comes to optimizing your home connection. Here are some quick fixes that can help improve your browsing and streaming:

Take it out of hiding

Even if your Wi-Fi router doesn’t match your aesthetic, it doesn’t belong in a closet, behind the TV, or under a stack of magazines. These obstacles can act as signal blockers, weakening your Wi-Fi. Give your router a break!

Keep it high

Wi-Fi signals become scattered and tend to go downhill. So placing your Wi-Fi router on a shelf at around waist height, mounting it on a wall, or even just placing it on a desk rather than under it can help its signal reach further and with less interference, avoiding clutter at floor level.

Go to the center

If your Wi-Fi router is hidden in a back room, it may have trouble reaching devices on the other side of your house. Aim for a central location, ideally where you use the Internet the most, to ensure more even and stronger signal distribution throughout your living space.

Beware of signal bullies

Some household items are notorious Wi-Fi disruptors. Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and even large metal appliances (like your refrigerator) can interfere with your signal. Try to keep your router away from any other electronic signals to avoid interference.

How much area do you cover?

In larger or multi-story homes, a single Wi-Fi router may not be enough to give you the coverage you’re looking for. If you have dead zones, consider whether you would benefit from a mesh Wi-Fi system. These smart setups use multiple units or “access points” to create a single, streamlined network that can improve the signal strength in your home.

The answer might lie in your device updates and settings

Beyond the physical location of your router, some digital adjustments can potentially make a huge difference. If moving your Wi-Fi router hasn’t solved your connectivity issues, these device optimizations aim to ensure that your gadgets and your Wi-Fi router work properly together to help you get the best download and browsing speeds.

First, your Wi-Fi router firmware. This is essentially the operating system of your Wi-Fi router. Manufacturers regularly release updates to improve performance, enhance security, and enable compatibility with newer, faster Internet standards. Outdated Wi-Fi router firmware can actually prevent your new devices from reaching their full potential. Most modern Wi-Fi routers have an automatic update feature, but it’s worth logging into your router’s settings occasionally (usually via a web browser) to make sure everything is up to date.

Then there are your devices themselves. Just like the Wi-Fi router, your laptop, phone, tablet and Smart TV all benefit from regular software updates. These can bring network driver and performance improvements that can directly impact the speed and stability of your Wi-Fi. Don’t click “remind me later” forever, download these updates!

Finally, a little pro tip: sometimes, simply changing the Wi-Fi channel on your router can make a difference. These Wi-Fi channels can be crowded, just like the lanes of a highway. If too many cars (devices) use the same lane, traffic (your data) slows down. You can try changing your Wi-Fi channel in your router settings to a less crowded channel, and there are online resources you can use to find the least crowded channels in your area.

By following these simple steps – optimizing your router’s location, keeping its firmware up to date, and making sure all your devices are compatible with your needs – you’ll help ensure smoother browsing, faster downloads, and a better online experience across all your devices. So go ahead, update, move things around, and give your gadgets the best chance of performing at their peak!

For more tips on improving your internet setup, visit nbn website.