We outline five common wireless woes and provide easy solutions to whip your network into tip-top shape.
1. Some Rooms Get a Stronger Signal Than Others
You may have noticed that you get a strong wireless reception in one room and only one bar on the Wi-Fi signal meter in another. Signal strength is typically related to your distance from the router; the closer you are, the stronger the signal. There are other factors to consider though, such as physical obstructions like walls, doors, and structural beams between you and the router. In some cases, a simple antenna adjustment can go a long way toward increasing the signal, but you may have to relocate your router to a more central location to see a significant improvement.
If moving the router is out of the question, consider purchasing a set of high-gain antennas or a range extender. Not all routers have removable antennas, and not all replacement antennas work on every router, so it's a good idea to check with your router manufacturer before going this route. Range extenders that you plug into a wall outlet are very easy to install and work well in smaller dwellings, but if you need to fill a dead spot in the far reaches of your home, a tabletop range extender with multiple external antennas will cover a wider range.
2. Pages Load Slowly When the Kids Are Playing Xbox Games
If Web surfing slows to a crawl whenever your teenager is playing Grand Theft Auto V with his online buddies, it's not just a coincidence. Gaming consoles like the PlayStation 4 and XBox One are usually configured to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi, and most online games require lots of bandwidth. If you're using a single-band router, it may be time to upgrade to a dual-band router so that you can give the gaming console its own radio band, thereby freeing up bandwidth on the 2.4GHz channel (which most laptops, smartphones, and tablets use to connect to the router). Or, consider using a powerline adapter to give the console a wired connection. Powerline network adapters plug into a wall outlet and use your home's electrical wiring to transmit data to and from the router, and they take minutes to install.
3. My Wireless Signal Goes From Strong to Weak for No Apparent Reason
If you're the only one in the house that is connected to your router and your wireless performance starts fluctuating wildly, you may have other users 'borrowing' your Wi-Fi. It could be a neighbor connecting unwittingly or it could be a squatter who has figured out your network password and is snatching your bandwidth. If you suspect this is the case, start by checking your security settings to ensure that WPA or WPA2 encryption is enabled and that you assign a secure Wi-Fi password.
You may also have to change your router's password if you suspect it's been compromised (many users stick with the factory default password, which is a mistake - see more info here). Lastly, change your router's SSID and turn off SSID broadcasting to hide your router from the public. If your router doesn't offer these security options it's probably an older model, in which case it's time for a new one.
4. I Can't Stream When I'm Out by the Pool
There's nothing like catching up on your favorite shows while relaxing poolside, but if you're having trouble staying connected, you are most likely either out of range of your Wi-Fi router or have too many structural obstacles blocking your signal. An outdoor access point can help; these devices are designed to withstand the elements while bringing wireless connectivity to the great outdoors, but you'll need to run Ethernet cabling to connect them to your home network.
Another option is to install a second router indoors, closer to your backyard, and operate it as a wireless access point (AP). In the past, configuring an access point required some networking know-how, but most of today's routers have a simple AP mode setting.
5. My Router Doesn't Have Enough Wired Ports
One way to ease congestion on your Wi-Fi network is to have certain client devices connect to your router via an Ethernet cable. Desktop PCs, media servers, and gaming consoles can all benefit by using a wired connection, but most routers only come with four wired ports, which will fill up quickly if you are using things like smart home hubs and Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices. Rather than swapping out cables whenever you want to play a game or watch a movie, add a multi-port Ethernet switch to your network.
Depending on the model, you can add 5, 8, 16, or 24 wired ports to your network quickly and easily. An unmanaged switch is ideal for users who simply want to add more wired connectivity to their network, while a managed switch gives you control over how data is moved and allows you to monitor network traffic.
Contribute, add your point to this blog & see more about our VPN Services here
Comments