Improve your Wi-Fi at home: 10 tips that work

By The SpeedFibre team, updated . 3 min read.

Improve your Wi-Fi at home: 10 tips that work
In short Put the router central and high, use 5 GHz for nearby devices, wire fixed devices, update the router and your devices, and for a large home move to Mesh or wired access points.
Contents
  1. 1. Measure first
  2. 2. Put the router in the right place
  3. 3. Use the right band
  4. 4. Choose a less crowded channel
  5. 5. Wire what does not move
  6. 6. Update
  7. 7. Remove unused devices
  8. 8. Keep interference away
  9. 9. Extend coverage wisely
  10. 10. Secure your network
  11. When to replace equipment

Wi-Fi has become the main bottleneck of fibre connections. Good news: most improvements are free or cheap. Measure before and after each change with the speed test, in the same spot.

1. Measure first

Run a test next to the router, then in each important room. You get a simple map of your coverage and will know whether a change really helped.

2. Put the router in the right place

Central, up high, in the open, away from thick walls and metal objects. Never in a cupboard or behind the TV. Details in where to put your Wi-Fi router.

3. Use the right band

5 GHz is faster and less crowded, 2.4 GHz reaches further. Keep both, and connect nearby devices on 5 GHz. See 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

4. Choose a less crowded channel

If the router interface shows nearby networks, avoid the busiest channel, or let automatic mode choose.

5. Wire what does not move

TV, console, desktop computer: an Ethernet cable frees Wi-Fi for mobile devices and gives full speed.

6. Update

Router firmware and device system updates often fix stability and performance issues.

7. Remove unused devices

Old phones, smart plugs, forgotten devices: every active device takes airtime. Remove those you no longer use.

8. Keep interference away

Microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers and power cables mainly disturb the 2.4 GHz band.

9. Extend coverage wisely

For a large flat, a villa or several floors, a Mesh system or a wired access point is far more effective than a simple extender. Comparison: extender, Mesh or powerline.

10. Secure your network

A weak password can let neighbours use your connection. See securing your Wi-Fi.

Measure your connection now. Start the test

When to replace equipment

If your router only supports Wi-Fi 4 and your plan exceeds 100 Mbps, or you have many devices, a Wi-Fi 6 router or Mesh brings a clear gain. Wi-Fi 7 is worth it if your devices support it: see Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7.

#WiFi#WiFiDiagnosis#Ping

Sources and further reading

Frequently asked questions

Why is Wi-Fi good in the living room but not in the bedroom?

Walls, especially reinforced concrete, strongly weaken the signal. Move the router, or use Mesh or a wired access point.

Should I turn the router off at night?

Not necessary. An occasional restart can help some routers, though.

Do Wi-Fi booster apps work?

No, they cannot improve the radio. Only placement, equipment and settings change performance.

The SpeedFibre team Guides written and reviewed by a telecom engineer specialised in fibre optics (FTTH), with more than 8 years of hands-on network maintenance and measurement. Editorial policy.

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