Do you have a bad internet connection at home? Websites take too long to display? Are your favorite TV show just stops while streaming?
You feel like you’ve come back to the prehistoric era of the Internet … and you wonder what you can do? No need to get upset! Fortunately, there are some effective tips for boosting internet speed.
Here are 10 simple tips to boost your internet connection at home and surf at top speed! Check it out.
1. Use a Wired Connection
Is your router far from your computer? If this is the case you need to look at it first to ensure a better connection; it is preferable to connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable. Choose a good quality cable, like CAT6 (Category 6 Cable). Thanks to this little trick, the flow is much more stable and the speed will be better than devices connected by Wi-Fi. Also is your router located in another room? In this case an Extender will do. It will allow the signal to pass through power and electrical outlets. And you can benefit from it in all rooms, without any problem.
2. Ask your ISP for a more recent router
If your router is a bit outdated, it’s worth asking your ISP to change it to a newer one. Indeed, old routers do not correctly meet the latest standards which ensure better connectivity. The consequence is that even if you have a good flow, the router is unable to exploit it to the maximum performance. Make sure that your new router manages Gigabit Ethernet ports, especially if you have fiber. It must also be able to receive Wi-Fi ac, which is faster than Wi-Fi n.
3. Use Latest Devices
Do you have a new router? Well done! Now it is better to have new devices or at least newer ones. Like Routers computers, tablets and smartphones must comply with the latest standards so the download and upload speed is not hampered.
The more antennas they have, the better the reception will be. They will be able to capture the signals of the router and the data exchanges will be faster. The best way to know the performance of your devices to receive Wi-Fi is to go to this site. This will show you if your device is performing well. If your performance is poor use the latest devices with latest standards.
4. Place Your Router in Right Location
- In an open area about 1.50 m from the ground.
- And of course more in the center of the house rather than in a corner of the house.
- Avoid putting it under the TV, in a closed cabinet, or near an obstacle which hinders your internet connection.
- Also don’t consider putting routers near a disruptive device, such as metal objects, electrical devices such as a heater, devices that emit waves such as a microwave but also neon lights, the aquarium, the ‘elevator
- Finally, the box is not a shelf! Nothing should be placed on it.
- Last precaution, the connection must be direct. Better to avoid multiple sockets and extension cords.
5. Choose the correct Wi-Fi frequency
Have you noticed that recent routers offer 2 frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz? If you have the choice, opt for the 5 GHz frequency, for all your devices that are compatible. Indeed, the 2.4 GHz frequency is used by all small devices such as microwave ovens, cordless telephones, devices that connect via Bluetooth … As a result, the signal is weaker and more scrambled in the house because other devices use it too. It is therefore best to choose the 5 GHz frequency which is more recent and less used. Your connection will be faster throughout the house.
6. Turn off connected devices that you are not using
If some of your devices are using Wi-Fi when you don’t need them, consider turning them off. Yes, they also take bandwidth for nothing. This is the case for example with your mobile devices. Another tip to have a better speed: turn off programs that are running in the background. They eat up bandwidth without you knowing it.
To do this, if you are on Windows:
- Type “resmon” in the search bar of the Start menu.
- Then go to the Resource Monitor.
- Then, choose the Network tab and stop the running programs that you are not using.
7. Stop the automatic search for Wi-Fi networks
When auto-scan is enabled by default, Windows constantly tries to pick up wireless networks that are nearby. If you are at home, with your own Wi-Fi, this function is useless since you will logically connect to your personal network. However, this feature monopolizes bandwidth for nothing. The solution is to deactivate this function by going to the Network and Internet settings of your computer.
8. Make sure you don’t have a virus
The malware that is on your computer also uses up bandwidth to display ads or search your computer. A good antivirus will do the housework and eliminate the unwanted virus that is hogging your bandwidth. You will see that you will browse faster! Therefore, it is highly recommended to use a good antivirus while surfing the internet.
9. Install a Wi-Fi repeater in your home
If the Wi-Fi signal is weak in some rooms of your house, a Wi-Fi repeater can give you a good boost. What’s the point? It picks up the signal and sends it back louder and sharper. Remember to install it far enough from the router for its operation to be best.
10. Go for Fiber Connection
Fiber is the new trend. To get higher internet speed, nothing is better but to choose Fiber Connection. Admittedly, it is more expensive than an ADSL but it allows you to have a much higher and stable speed. And, big positive point, the distance which separates your home from the optical connection node has no influence on the quality of your connection. You have various ISPs offering Fiber connection at the moment. Out of them the best offers at affordable rate is Nepal Telecom. Indeed, they are not all created equal! As a consumer you can do research, align your needs and grab the most suitable fiber connection.
Thanks to these easy tips, you will be able to surf at full speed. All these tips work regardless of your Internet service provider: Nepal Telecom, Worldlink, Vianet, Ncell, etc.