In today’s wireless world, it is important to know how to optimize your In-
Home WiFi Network to achieve the best speeds and connectivity.
Placement of WiFi Router
Setting up your In-Home Network begins with proper placement of your
WiFi Modem or router.
- Select a central location within your home away from metal objects, mirrors, microwaves, and cordless phones.If you want the best signal, you’ll need it out in the open, free of any walls and obstructions.
- Point the antennas perpendicularly, and elevate the router if you can.
- Make sure its in the center of your house, so you have the best coverage possible throughout your home.
Find the Right Wireless Channel
If you have neighbors, their routers may be interfering with yours and causing the signal to degrade. Wireless routers can operate on a number of different channels, and you want yours on a channel with as little interference as possible.
Security
It is important to ensure your in-home network is secure to ensure that others are not connecting to your network and stealing bandwidth, which reduces your speeds. If your network is not secure, you can enable the network security to keep others from accessing your network and data.
Recommended Security Settings
The recommended setting is WPA2 which is WiFi Protected Access II. WPA2 is the best security available and is strongly recommended to achieve the fastest speeds possible.
Updating The Firmware
Updating the firmware can help a router work better and sometimes even repair an annoying bug or add support for faster internet speed. This is especially important when a router reset doesn’t help. Some routers require you to use a desktop or mobile app to perform the update; however, most will use a web-based interface. One of the best ways to make sure your network is as fast and reliable as possible is to use up-to-date hardware.
Many routers have the automatic firmware update function within the web interface. In this case just run this function, let the router download the firmware and update by itself.
Compatible Equipment
Make sure your Internet equipment is compatible to give you the speeds you need. Older equipment may cause you to experience slower speeds. To ensure an optimal experience, make sure you have the right WiFi Modem or Router.