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How to Get Better WiFi

by Natasha Stokes on May 08, 2023

Fact-checked and updated by Suzanne Kantra on 5/8/2023 with new recommendations.

Your connection speed can be influenced by your router – how old it is, how good its processor and antenna are, where it's placed, how good it is at picking up wireless signals, and how many devices are using it. Newer routers may support faster WiFi technology that can do things like prioritize specific traffic streams, such as video calls or work devices, over the kids’ tablets and gaming. Luckily, there are several things that can help you get more out of your bandwidth. Here’s what you can do to boost your WiFi speed.

1. Run a speed test

First, you want to determine whether the internet from your service provider is, in fact, slow.

Test the internet connection from any device by running a speed test from a site such as SpeedTest.net at different times during the day (There can be confusing ads on this page, so don't click on anything but the big "Go" button). If you’re doing video conferencing and other tasks that require you to send a lot of data, you’ll want to check upload as well as download speeds – video calling has comparatively high demands for both.

For a handy real-world breakdown of what your internet speeds can handle, you can also check out Comcast’s speedtest.xfinity.com. Click the "more" link to see your upload speed and latency.

The speeds should always be at least 80 to 90 percent of what your service provider promises. Take note of your upload and download numbers before you start testing our tips for boosting your WiFi – you’ll want to check whether your connection improves and what seems to do the trick.

2. Run a ping test

When networks are congested, you’ll feel it first in data-intensive applications like video calling, which will freeze or stutter due to higher latency – the delay in communication between your computer (or phone) and a particular website on the Internet.

Doing a ping test can confirm the quality of your Internet connection. (Ping is the time to the server, and latency is the time it takes for the round trip.)

Head back to SpeedTest.net, where you'll receive a ping figure measured in milliseconds. Lower numbers are generally better, but anything under 50 is considered good, and under 100 is average. Note those numbers, so you can check in at different times of day to see when there might be less congested periods.

3. Reboot the router

So if you’ve determined the internet is indeed slower than usual – and slower than you require. Try restarting the router.

The IP connection between your device and the router or between the router and the Internet can get hung up. A restart of the router reboots all its systems, including the network processor and wireless radios.

If your router has a reset button, hold it down for a few seconds. If not, restart it by removing the cable from the power socket, waiting half a minute, and then plugging it in again.

4. Turn off Eco mode

Some routers have a power-saving or Eco mode that's on by default. However, the eco mode can slow down WiFi, and the power savings are minimal. In your router's settings, look for Eco mode or power-saving mode and turn it off. Also, check to see if your router has an Automatic transmission setting and ensure it's 100 percent.

5. Check how many other devices are connected

If you have a high ping rate or are experiencing latency issues like frozen video calls, you might be able to reduce bandwidth congestion starting with your own household.

Intensive activities like streaming 4K video or file sharing can affect Internet speed. Routers can support hundreds of devices connecting, but it's more about what each device is doing online. For example, if someone is streaming Netflix, another person is working over Zoom, and two others are gaming, that can certainly increase congestion – and latency – on your internet connection.

Each device’s distance from the router is important as well. For example, if four people are streaming video but are all stationed close to the router, you may not experience any slowdowns. So if everyone must stream video and play games separately and simultaneously, try to move the devices closer to the router with as little wall or floor obstructing the path as possible.

6. Check for interference from a nearby cordless device

Baby monitors, older cordless phones, microwave ovens, and wireless speakers are just some of the common household gadgets that can interfere with the wireless signal from your router.

Deal with the conflict by moving the router away from these devices and ensuring that no devices that could potentially interfere lie in a straight line between your router and the gadget you're trying to get online with.

7. Move the router

You may be able to increase the speed of your connection by choosing a better location for your router. While a WiFi signal can travel hundreds of feet in an unobstructed space, walls and floors can cut that distance by half or more.

The most important thing is to place the router in a central location with plenty of open space, near where you and your family use your devices the most. If you can, put it in a high place to minimize obstructions to all devices connecting to the router.

The materials surrounding the router matter as well. Metal interferes with WiFi signals, while wood does not. Try not to place your router behind a wall with a large mirror (like your bathroom), as the mirror can reflect the signal waves. Even water, such as in a large fish tank, can interfere with the WiFi signal.

And if your router has external antennas, play with those sticks. Positioning the router's antenna vertically rather than horizontally can also increase signal strength.

8. Check your frequency

Most of today's WiFi routers support at least two frequencies: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band tends to reach farther but can be more congested than the 5GHz band because it is used by more types of devices, including smart home devices and baby monitors. On the other hand, the 5GHz band has faster throughput – but can’t travel as far because its shorter waves are less able to get through walls and floors.

If you have a router that supports two bands, it may have automatically created multiple networks when you set it up. In this case, on a computer (or other device) that requires a strong internet connection, try switching to the 5Ghz network from the wireless network icon in your toolbar.

Here’s how you can check what frequency your network is on:

On a Mac, hold down Option and tap the WiFi icon to see details about the network you’re currently connected to, including the frequency and channel.

On a PC, head to Settings > Network & Internet, click on the SSID name, and scroll down to Properties.

9. Check to see if you’re on an overcrowded WiFi channel

Within the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, there are multiple channels through which a signal can travel. Slow speeds can be down to interference from your neighbors trying to connect via the same WiFi channel.

Many routers default to channel 6, which means your neighbors’ routers might also be running on the same channel, causing bandwidth congestion that impacts your internet speed. You can try to increase your WiFi speed by switching to a less busy channel.

Some routers automatically change channels depending on internet traffic, but you might want to check if there’s a better channel anyway. For a free option, we recommend the WiFi Analyzer app (Android and Windows 10 and 11) to identify which router channel has the best bandwidth, allowing for faster connections and better calls.

Although there’s no free equivalent for iOS, Mac users can take advantage of a built-in tool to scan for the best channels. Hold down the Option key and click on the wireless icon to open Wireless Diagnostics. Ignoring the window that opens, click "Window" in the toolbar, then select "Scan." You’ll see a summary that notes the best channel for 2.4GHz and the best channel for the 5GHz band. (Newer routers should be able to switch between both automatically to access all available channels.)

10. Switch to a different channel

Once you’ve identified whether there’s a better channel you can use, head to your router admin page by entering your router’s IP address in your browser toolbar. You can find this address in your manual, on the back of the router, or by googling the router brand and model (it will look something like 192.168.1.1), then enter your credentials. If it’s your first time, these may be the default login and password (again, findable online – which makes an excellent case for changing it ASAP to prevent others from accessing your router).

Select wireless settings to see what channel you’re on. You should be able to change to the optimal channel found by your WiFi scan – though if your router was set to choose the best channel automatically, it might already be using the optimal one.

Note: Avoid tampering with settings here unless you know what you’re doing, as changing the basic configuration, such as the SSID (network name), can affect how other household devices connect to the internet.

11. Change your DNS settings

When you browse the web, the URL you type in must be translated into the website's IP address to see the page. A Domain Name System (DNS) serves as that translator. Each time you connect to the internet, your ISP assigns you to DNS servers in its infrastructure, but if those servers aren’t fast and stable, it could bog down your internet experience.

In that case, switching to a third-party DNS server might boost your internet speed. Many third-party DNS providers exist, but one of the most popular free options is Google Public DNS. You can use its address (8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4) to update your DNS settings.

To do that, log back into your router admin, and open the LAN or DHCP server settings, and look for a DNS field, then fill in the address of your new DNS server.

12. Get a WiFi extender

In homes larger than 3,000 square feet, getting a good WiFi signal from one corner to another can be a challenge. Multistory houses also pose an obstacle if the router isn't plugged into the broadband line somewhere in the middle. In these cases, you could benefit from using a wireless extender. A signal extender plugs into any outlet to rebroadcast and boost your WiFi signal across the home, from your garage to the front garden.

When choosing an extender, you'll want to match your router's WiFi protocol and speed. You will likely have a WiFi 5 (802.11ac), WiFi 6 (802.11ax), or WiFi 6E (802.11ax) router. (If you have a WiFi 4 router (802.11n), see our recommendations below on investing in a new router.) You'll see the speed listed as AC (for WiFi 5), AX (for WiFi 6), or AXE (for 6E models), followed by numbers. The numbers indicate the theoretical maximum throughput across all router bands, so AC750 would be 750Mbps, and AXE3000 would be 3000Mbps.

We recommend Netgear's Nighthawk EAX15 dual-band AX1800 WiFi 6 Extender ($139.99, on sale for $118.53). It is easy to set up and plugs directly into a wall outlet for easy placement. For a higher-speed model, our pick is the Netgear Nighthawk EAX80 dual-band AX6000 WiFi 6 Extended ($199.99), and if you're on a budget, the dual-band TP-Link RE215 provides a much more modest maximum AC750 connection speed but costs just $29.99 (currently on sale for $25.99).

If you bought a router or rent through your internet service provider, you'll want to see if they offer an extender. For instance, Comcast offers Xfinity xFi Pods extenders ($119 for one) which are configured for its routers.

Or, you can use a powerline adapter, which plugs into wall electrical sockets and receives a signal through your home’s existing wiring with Ethernet ports allowing for wireless and wired connections to devices. The transmitter must be on the same circuit as the receiver for the adapters to work. Our pick for a powerline adapter is the TP-Link AV1300 Powerline WiFi Extender Kit ($119.99, on sale for $107.99) with AC1200 dual-band WiFi and three 1GB ethernet ports.

13. Start fresh with a new router (or mesh WiFi system)

If you're experiencing slow internet speeds, it may be time to consider upgrading your router. Older routers or those provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) may not support the latest WiFi protocols and can limit your internet speeds. For example, older routers may only support 802.11a/b/g/n protocols, which are slower than the newer WiFi 6 or 6E (802.11ax) protocols.

By upgrading to a newer router that supports WiFi 6 or 6E, you can take advantage of additional spectrum, including the 6GHz band, which is not available on older standards. This can significantly reduce signal interference and increase your home network's capacity, making it suitable for high-load activities like gaming or virtual reality apps. We recommend a router with speeds of at least 3,000Mbps or higher (AX3000) for most people, but you should consider your internet needs and household size before purchasing.

We recommend investing in a router that can be part of a mesh WiFi system. Mesh WiFi routers work with extender nodes that piggyback on one another using an internal mesh network that blankets the home for better coverage than if you added stand-alone extenders. In addition, a mesh-compatible router doesn't cost more, and you'll be future-proofing your purchase.

For a mesh WiFi System, we like the Eero 6+, which offers AX3000 connection speeds, easy setup, the newer WPA3 security protocol (which is compatible with older WPA2 devices), and a built-in smart home hub for controlling compatible Thread and Zigbee devices if you own Alexa devices. You can start with a single unit that covers up to 2200 sq ft. ($139.99), or if you have a larger home, a three-pack ($299.99) will cover up to 4,500 sq ft. If you're interested in parental controls, we recommend the TP-Link Deco X55 two-pack (AX3000, $199.99 for two, on sale for $167.72), which also covers homes up to 4,500 sq ft.

For a standalone router that can be used in a mesh system, we like the TP-Link Archer AXE75 (AXE5400, $199.99). It works with TP-Link OneMesh-compatible extender nodes, comes with free anti-malware and parental control software, and supports WPA3 security. If you want to max out, go for the ASUS ROG Rapture AXE 16000 quad-band WiFi 6E Gaming Router ($699.99, on sale for $599.00), which works with AiMesh extender nodes and provides tons of network controls, including security, parental controls, VPN, and traffic control.

For small spaces, our budget pick is the TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800, $99.99, on sale for $79.99), with its easy setup and support for WPA3 security.

Note: Before upgrading to a WiFi 6 or 6E router, be aware that to take advantage of the higher speeds, your devices need to support WiFi 6 or 6E.

14. Buy a USB WiFi adapter for your computer

If you want to work on your computer in a location that doesn't get good WiFi, you can invest in a USB WiFi adapter to increase your reception range. These plug into a laptop or desktop USB port, overriding the computer’s in-built wireless function, and can increase the speed and stability of the connection, especially for older computers that might not support newer WiFi standards.

We like the Netgear Nighthawk A8000 ($99.99, on sale for $79.00), which is a tri-band AXE3000 WiFi 6E adapter. You can plug the adapter directly into a USB 3.0 Type-A port or use the included dock to place it for better reception.

[gaming desktop via Smartmockups]

Natasha Stokes has been a technology writer for more than 10 years covering consumer tech issues, digital privacy and cybersecurity. As the features editor at TOP10VPN, she covered online censorship and surveillance that impact the lives of people around the world. Her work has also appeared on NBC News, BBC Worldwide, CNN, Time and Travel+Leisure.


Topics

Internet & Networking, Computers and Software, Tips & How-Tos


Discussion loading

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From Alexander Innes on March 24, 2015 :: 10:44 am


You may want to move to Europe or Asia as both have much better internet speeds then the US.

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From Josh Kirschner on March 24, 2015 :: 10:59 am


Tip #10: Move home to South Korea grin

Though the issues we’re addressing here are not about your raw Internet speed, but about the ways your Wi-Fi can get slowed down within your house. I get 50Mbps wired in my bedroom, but have real issues streaming video wirelessly from my living room.

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From Steve Gilbert on April 14, 2016 :: 9:13 am


Advising people to press the reset button is not a good idea. The reset button on the router usually returns all settings to factory defaults.  This would change their SSID’s, passwords and possibly their IP network which is not usually what the user wants.  Unplugging the power cord and waiting 5 seconds before plugging it back in is the best method for ‘resetting’ the router.

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From David Sharpe on April 23, 2016 :: 8:58 am


You are absolutely right.  I was very surprised to see this suggestion.  A tech-phobic, or even some tech-savvy people could find themselves in a pickle, having to go into the router and set all the custom setups over.

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From Ernesto Colina on March 24, 2015 :: 11:23 am


This was the answer for me, as any other alternative was not a solution for me.

Actiontec Dual-Band Wireless Network Extender and Ethernet Over Coax Adapter Kit (WCB3000NK01)
and
Actiontec Single Dual-Band Wireless Network Extender and Ethernet Over Coax Adapter (WCB3000N01)

You can use your own regular coax cable, which is already installed by your cable company, and extend your own network, if you are with Comcast, you can use up to 16 adapters, but, with Verizon, it seems, according to the reviews, you can only use one. Note : This won’t work for the Google super high speed internet, well, people in Kansas City don’t care about this little issue.

There are also the powerline ethernet adapters, but in my apartment the electrical connection is rather weird and I couldn’t use it, but many people say it is a very good alternative.

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From Greg Williams on March 24, 2015 :: 12:46 pm


I live in a small condo and can usually stream on my smartphone in my bedroom or cast to Chromecast in my living room. The router is in my kitchen. I have the Pro speed dsl from ATT and I get pretty speedy response on most things ( servers you are connecting with vary in quality and response time) I have occasional blips ,so called ATT Internet tech and we changed my channel and both think this may just be my solution for the see able future. Hopefully it will keep my enjoyment level at a high level for a good while!

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From Josh Kirschner on March 24, 2015 :: 1:23 pm


If you’re getting ok service, that’s a good thing. At around 3Mbps, DSL is right at the border for 720p HD movie streaming bandwidth, even in the best of conditions, and, in real-world conditions, may occasional have trouble with SD. Your Wi-Fi network would rarely be the limiting factor in this scenario, especially in a small condo.

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From Greg Williams on March 24, 2015 :: 2:21 pm


I do stream movies and TV shows. Not many problems, usually buffering more than any thing else and Crackle app occassaly balks at downloading movies, but I think it is the app more than anything else. The movies at Google Playstore play very well and have used Netflix with no major snafus. NFL NOW and my Denver Broncos app strap really well. Just wanted to tweet it and the tech said that is about the only thing we can do.

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From Pete on April 05, 2015 :: 4:38 pm


I use a laptop on my front porch. There are several walls, including a stone wall, in between the laptop and router. On a whim, I placed a stainless steel wok behind the antennae, directed to the porch. It definitely improved the signal. I refer to it as my wokabolic antennae. wink

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From Jose Antonio Nunez on April 06, 2015 :: 12:07 pm


The one thing the writer might want to change is the fact that none of these actually make your wifi faster. Yes if other users are logged on and streaming services there should be slightly more congestion on the network. And of course, the more users, the more the network should be effected, but you typically should not experience this in a home network which achieves high bandwidth speed. I would rename this article ” Troubleshooting Tips for In-home Wifi Networks”.

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From Zeke Krahlin on April 06, 2015 :: 8:14 pm


I am a low income person living on a disability stipend, who cannot afford broadband. Whenever I see links to articles that offer tips on increasing one’s wifi speed, it always turns out to be targeted towards those with homebound ISP services.

What I’m wondering: are there any tips you can offer for increasing wifi speed via public connections? For that is the only way I can get on to the Internet. TYI.

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From Josh Kirschner on April 08, 2015 :: 1:52 am


The speed you get with a public WiFi connection will be based on the speed of the connection itself, along with how many other people are on it and what they are doing. There’s not much you can do to speed it up beyond trying to use it when few other people are on it.

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From Zeke Krahlin on April 08, 2015 :: 12:18 pm


That’s what I figured, though I thought maybe I missed some little factoid. The quality and restrictions vary wildly from one public spot to another. But I have found several locations that are mostly excellent most of the time. Adieu!

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From CyborgWhoop on September 05, 2015 :: 2:37 pm


Thanks for the information that you provide in the article above. Hope after performing such tasks it will increase the speed of the Wifi network and I can work easily on my projects.

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From Ben Leverett on September 05, 2015 :: 8:49 pm


Also, as long as your carrier, service plan, and phone support it, you could use a variant (wifi/usb/bluetooth) of tethering.

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From Bret on September 27, 2015 :: 11:19 pm


Wifi signal extenders are the absolute worst, sure they make you have full bars, but they also disconnect you randomly and generally just all suck. Spend the money on another access point that’s closer to your device. Signal extenders are all crap.

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From Tony Allen on October 04, 2015 :: 8:37 am


I use top-spec Macbook 15” latest model and was becoming increasingly frustrated as I couldn’t watch sports events or Netflix without constant buffering.

I upped my ISP subscription to 30Mbps amd validated, using Speedtest, that that’s what I’m getting.  Still same problem.

Used the OSX Safari > Develop > Empty cachaces. Still same problem.

Used the OSX wireless diagnostics > Scan and could see a lot of traffic congestion. Changed my Airport Extreme to operate on 5 Ghz channel 149 - only me using that one. better picture quality but still same buffering problem.

Solution:  I use the Cocktail app to clear the caches (User, Internet and Applications), then a restart to apply the changes and ..... Bingo !  Works great now. Cocktail also gas defence stand cross-cut shredding of deleted files.

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From Bradley in Boulder on March 31, 2016 :: 10:20 am


I have a 300 Mbps service in my home.
Most everything is hard wired.
But when I do use wireless I get frustrated.
A lot of what you say in this article I experience when using wifi.
I plan to read this and try everything out as you suggest.
I just replaced my apple router with a real router which improved things dramatically. But the router has so many bells and whistles it’s hard to understand what’s really important.
If I don’t succeed in improving my wifi experience, could you make a recommendation on the type of ad I would run on upwork.com to find someone to help me troubleshoot?

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From Michele M on April 01, 2016 :: 8:06 pm


I extended my router down into a basement with concrete walls by re-purposing and old Linksys Router I had laying around. Saved tons of money instead of buying new equipment and the speed is great.

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From ToluMar16 on April 06, 2016 :: 11:40 am


This really worked for me. Thanks for the information.

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From Nick Zamparello on April 17, 2016 :: 7:10 am


I found that a handy thing to do with wifi if you have alot of traffic in your area but can’t afford the 5ghz route is to set your antenna from 40khz to 20 khz..  It seems 20 is a lot more resiliant to disconnects..

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From Gagan on December 13, 2016 :: 4:57 am


Hi,
I am facing low speed internet issue though my download speed is 8-10mbps or sometimes 20 mbps but whenever i used to open Facebook videos or any article it still loading and buffering alot like i am using 512 kbps first I thought it could be my cell phone problem but then i have checked through other device also and found same issue. My wifi is full protected and never share to anybody even I don’t use other app or turned on pc while using wi fi . I have restart already 2-3 times but still facing videos buffering and slow page loading issues 🤕
. Any suggestions guys .Thanks in advance

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From Josh Kirschner on December 13, 2016 :: 10:21 am


There are a number of things which could be affecting page/video load times beyond your download speeds. If your processor, RAM or disk transfers are being heavily strained, you’ll see more video buffering and longer page rendering times.

The best way to see whether you’re having issues with hardware capacity is to open Task Manager (ctrl, alt delete or through Win 10 search). If you’re seeing RAM use nearing 90% or CPU/DISK over 90% and continuously running, your bottleneck is likely there.

If you have an old/low powered computer, fixing it could be a matter of upgrading your hardware or buying a new computer. But also look at the programs that are utilizing the resources and see if they are ones you can uninstall or if perhap you may have a malware issue. If you have tons of things open, it’s not unusual to see RAM use creep up. But you shouldn’t see continual CPU or disk use when you’re not running video, games, big donloads or other high-resource programs.

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From Derek Dewitt on December 18, 2017 :: 12:05 pm


My wife and I noticed that our internet speeds have been super slow lately, and we aren’t sure why. I like that you suggest running a ping test to check the bandwidth of your service provider. We’ll have to find a good site online that can test this to see if there really is something wrong with it. Thanks for sharing!

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From Diane Davis Lipka on March 12, 2018 :: 11:33 am


I was hoping to find an article on this problem.  From searching for answers, it seems it is a problem with the Windows 10 software and updates and I have tried numerous things that seem to work for awhile on my laptop, then it starts happening again (from updates to Windows 10 maybe?).

Does anyone know when/if Nicrosoft is going to address and fix this problem?

Thanks!

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From Josh Kirschner on March 12, 2018 :: 11:40 am


There have been issues with various wireless card/laptops having issues with holding Wi-Fi connections, so it may not be Windows related. What model laptop do you have?

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From Diane Davis Lipka on March 12, 2018 :: 12:18 pm


Ihave a Dell Latitude E5540.  Didn’t have this problem with Windows 7 or, at least, no where as bad.

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From Josh Kirschner on March 12, 2018 :: 2:20 pm


If this is a computer you upgraded to Windows 10 and that’s when you noticed the problem, it may be a matter of the drivers or BIOS needing updating. Follow these steps on Dell’s support site to see if it helps you resolve the issue: http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln130171/resolving-connection-issues-on-your-wi-fi-network-for-windows-8-81-?lang=en

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From Diane Davis Lipka on March 12, 2018 :: 5:04 pm


Thank you, I did find a bunch of drivers and BIOS to update.  But then, I got error messages and had to do Winsock Reset which took a while since Windows changed Command Prompt (Admin) to PowerShell (Admin).  We’ll see what happens.  So far, so good.  Thank you for your help!

Now, from reading the comments I am going to look into tethering my old Motorola Wifi Router to see if that helps too.

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From Josh Kirschner on March 13, 2018 :: 3:48 pm


Let us know if that permanently resolved the issue.

Best,
Josh

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From Diane Davis Lipka on March 16, 2018 :: 7:52 am


Nope!  It’s just as bad, if not worse.  It doesn’t last very long at all now.  AND,  everytime I power up, I get the “User Account Control” prompt to allow Dell to run the program, which gives me another error message…..

My streaming TV has almost no problems and our mobile devices have minimal problems.  I have a WD Net600 wifi router, a Spectrum router, and a T-Mobile Cell Spot (since there is no cell service inside my house).

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From Josh Kirschner on March 16, 2018 :: 2:15 pm


These issues are really frustrating because so many things could be causing the problem. Did you try these tips for your wireless card settings?: http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln130171/resolving-connection-issues-on-your-wi-fi-network-for-windows-8-81-?lang=en

If you did, try setting your Wi-Fi on your laptop to use G only (not N), some people seem to have had success with that. One other thing that may work is to find a version of your Wi-Fi card driver that pre-dates Windows 10 (if your laptop came with recovery software, you may be able to find the original driver there), uninstall the current driver and re-install the old one.

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From Diane Davis Lipka on March 26, 2018 :: 9:42 am


I’m not sure what worked, but it seems to be keeping the connection now,  thank you for your help!

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From Lex on July 21, 2018 :: 11:45 pm


You posted, “6. Run a ping test
While a speed test gauges the speed possible based on available bandwidth from the service provider, a ping test gauges latency, which is the delay in communication between your computer (or phone) and a particular website on the Internet. It can tell you how good the quality of your Internet connection is.

Head back to SpeedTest.net, where you’ll receive a ping figure measured in milliseconds. In general, lower numbers are better, but anything under 50 is considered good and under 100 is average.”

Ping is only a general diagnostic to test latency on a clear network not being used for anything. Besides, Ping by default only sends 32 bytes of data and waits for that to come back as per host you ping assuming they accept those ICMP packets to begin with.

What really needs to be done is to send the full 1500 bytes or whatever your MTU is set for. On your modem on a clear unused network. This will give you a more clear idea of what is bogging your network down by giving it full payload.

Also, lots of people like to tweak their MTU settings to get the best throughput over their network connections. They believe that some of the outdated information/data on SpeedGuide.com will help them.

If you don’t match the same MTU as your modem pool at your ISP or cable provider is doing. You can actually get worse performance.

The common MTU values for network services are as follows.

Dial-up 9.6 kbps ~ 56kbps (64 kbps for U.S. Robotics POTS modems) @ 576 bytes MTU.

ISDN BRI or BRIx2, 64 kbps ~ 128 kbps, 1500 MTU unless explicitly denoted otherwise by the headend or CLEC.

T1/E1 and T3/E3, 1500 bytes per MTU. Some rare interfaces have jumbo frames, 2000, 3000, 5000 and 9000 bytes per MTU as per interface.

ATM and STM OC series that depends on the carrier, most have basic fall-back capability of 1500 bytes   per MTU up to 12000 MTU.

Metropolitan Ethernet and Metropolitan Optical Ethernet, have the same MTU values available as your Ethernet or Optical device in LAN.

Cable and xDSL providers were experimenting with 1368, 1472, 1492 and 1500 a number of years ago, most have compatibility of 1500 and if you have IP header compression turned on you can get away with setting it for 1492 bytes per MTU.

There are other connections I could comment on but I feel this will help the average user in choosing what numbers to ping with, not just 32 byte defaults.

All high-speed links are set for QoS latency of 64 ms round trip time (RTT) but they have a secondary target of a maximum of 127 ms RTT before a N.I. occurs. A N.I., is a network intervention. Essentially, that comes from core network service provider and checks all of their networks for faults, as well incoming and outgoing data. If a routing issue is found they fix it immediately. If they find that the issue is O.S. or off-site they’ll send it to the proper authority for that network segment or service provider as it may be.

Most problems people have are between their Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) and the (HE) or Head End / independent service provider’s modem pool or owned by a group. It’s rare that the routing problem occurs between the ISP and NSP but it does happen. All you can do is report it and hope it gets ironed out fast, if it at that level.

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From Teacmer on November 29, 2018 :: 8:42 pm


Internet speed is really important and we always love to increase this!  this is very useful tips and I try to apply for me as well. Thanks

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From Dave on May 18, 2019 :: 5:18 am


My wifi hot tip is to simply ditch it, and move the computer/laptop device to your router and phyicallh plug it in with a cat 6 cable. Wifi problems are them fixed.

what about apple and android tablets and other wifi devices?  Ditch them, they are all useless inventions.

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From Stacey G. Morgan on May 12, 2020 :: 8:45 pm


I’m also disabled and on a fixed income.  AT&T provides low cost internet service $5.00 to $10.00 a month for 3 to 10 Mbps and an awesome dual speed router.  Installation is free even if a tech has to come out.  https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/index.html?source=ECmj0000000000mbU&wtExtndSource=access#!/#/
I’ve been very happy with the AT&T Access Internet and even got the first 2 months free.

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From Janet Greenwood on October 26, 2020 :: 8:33 pm


Great article! These are really great tips and these have also worked for me in the past so I can vouch for some of them. I bought a better router, moved it closer to my workstation, and upgraded my internet speed package. Or you know, you could just use a good ethernet cable and go wired hahaha. You can also compare your internet options if you’re looking to upgrade!

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From Vishwas Mane on December 09, 2020 :: 6:56 am


If you think your internet speed is slow or want to check your internet speed then you can go with http://www.fibertest.net. It is the best way to check your internet speed.

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From JohnIL on December 22, 2020 :: 6:30 am


Overall the fact that higher frequencies have a more difficult time penetrating walls and objects should be considered. People are also realizing this with 5G cellular too. Depending on your model of router 5Ghz may only work really well within line of sight of router and possible a room or two away. 2.4 ghz band may in fact perform better then the 5Ghz band when you get further away from router. Using additional access points may not always fix this dilemma as this may limit speeds as well. If your really fixated on getting the best out of your internet speed. Connect your device through a wired connection if possible. Or at least get as close to router as possible.

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From Meshforce M1 on March 16, 2021 :: 1:22 am


Really very happy to say that your post is very interesting to read and I never stop myself to say something about it. You’re doing a great job. Keep it up.

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From JohnIL on June 13, 2021 :: 6:28 am


5Ghz isn’t ideal, too bad the next gen Wifi was stuck with a wider bandwidth and bigger spectrum of channels compared to 2.4Ghz band. But suffers from its inherent inability to penetrate solid objects well and can quickly cause signal quality issues. Doing a Mesh network, or adding more access points just complicates everything and does not always work well. Everything is a compromise with Wifi because wireless anything isn’t really perfect and suffers from many things like interference, range, compatibility with devices and even security. People buy into it out of convenience.

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