Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many pupils in the United States started the school year by learning from home. This could put a strain on your home wireless network because many parents continue to use it as their office.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to have enough smartphones, tablets, or computers to go around, having everyone online at once could seriously tax your Wi-Fi.
Students should make sure they have fast wifi connections for online learning, just as parents don’t want stuttering video on Zoom conference calls with clients and coworkers.
Let’s face it, we also rely on speedy connectivity for leisure activities like binge-watching TV shows on Netflix or playing a game of Fall Guys with 59 other players online.
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Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can do to increase the speed, coverage, and general performance of your home network, as well as a new wireless standard called Wi-Fi 6 that you should be aware of.
Using your router’s channel
The two frequencies used by modern Wi-Fi routers are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Finding the optimal option for your circumstances can increase the reach, speed, and dependability of your network.
Devices operating on the 5 GHz band reduce interference between 2.4 GHz devices in the home, such as cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors. Although the 2.4 GHz frequency can transmit signals over longer distances than the 5 GHz frequency, 5 GHz-connected devices run at a quicker rate.
You can select your preferred frequency when connecting your devices to your network (needed only once).
Examine your ISP.
If your internet service provider isn’t providing you with fast speeds, even if you have the fastest router in the world, it won’t be much help (ISP).
If your budget allows, be sure you’re getting the quickest speeds your ISP has to offer, especially if you frequently have many devices connected to the network at once and enjoy streaming video and playing online games. The download and upload speeds and the amount of data you are permitted to use each month typically increase with the amount of money you pay. (If your ISP gives unlimited data, that’s what you should do.)
Ask your ISP to confirm that the modem you rent or buy from them is the best model they have if it has been a while since you upgraded it.
Location, place, place
The next step is to check that the location of your router, which provides wireless internet access, in your home is ideal.
For the best reach, keep it on the main or top level and near the centre of the home. If you have a router, avoid leaving it there because it will be difficult for devices in other parts of the house to connect to it. In connection with that, don’t hide the router in a cabinet or a corner of your house just because you don’t like the way it appears. Keep it open instead for optimal coverage inside and outside of your home. Ensure that it is off the ground and sitting on a desk or bookshelf.
Additionally, keep the most recent firmware available for download on your wireless router current.
A wireless update called Wi-Fi 6
Whenever you decide to replace your router, make sure to buy a Wi-Fi 6 model.
Without going into too much detail, Wi-Fi 6 (also known as 802.11ax) is capable of transmitting wireless signals more effectively than earlier generations, such as Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 4. (802.11n).
There are several interesting (but complex) technologies at work here, including acronyms like OFDMA and MU-MIMO, but all you need to know is that they lead to quicker upload and download rates in addition to supporting a large number of concurrent devices on the network.
Build a Mesh
In some rooms of a larger home, Wi-Fi performance could be subpar. As these routers also offer “access points” (also known as “bases” or “hubs”) that you can position about the house to spread quick and reliable speeds to every room, a “mesh” system is excellent in this situation.
In order to cover a larger area, these hubs frequently connect wirelessly with one another as well as with the router. Your Wi-Fi-enabled devices will automatically join the closest and strongest signal, so you don’t need to alter the network name as you would with a “repeater” or “extender,” an earlier method of extending Wi-Fi.
A mesh system implies you’ll probably have access to your Wi-Fi outside if you have a front porch or backyard. The best location to plug in these hubs across the house is typically shown to you through a companion app.