We ’ve all been there : You ’re watching the in vogue season ofOrange is the New Blackon Netflix when , all of a sudden , the video hitch to a stop — and the interminable buffering begins . It ’s frustrating when your web decelerate down ( or shut down completely ) , but there are a few tricks you’re able to use boost your Wi - Fi signaling . Here are a few of them .
1. DON’T HIDE YOUR ROUTER.
Most the great unwashed hide their router because they ’re unsightly or in the means , but placing a router in a loo or in a console is a one - elbow room ticket to slow Wi - Fi : bulwark and door can take down and immerse signal intensity level . get hold a central localization in your home and put your router on a table or bookshelf . Because some router are design to protrude a Wi - Fi signal somewhat downward , hold it higher off the flat coat will evenly distribute a Wi - Fi signal throughout your home .
2. STAY AWAY FROM APPLIANCES AND METAL OBJECTS.
microwave , cordless telephone , flourescent Light Within , and even other routers in your neighbor ’s rest home or apartment may interfere with your Wi - Fi sign . To deoxidize preventive , aim your router away from household gismo and set it to a dissimilar wireless channel and absolute frequency . Using online peter — Acrylic Wi - Fifor Windows andAirGrab Wi - Fi Radarfor Mac , for example — can help you find the right wireless channel with the least amount of interference . If you require an easier fix , most routers have an machinelike option to find the best TV channel for your fix .
You should also obviate place your router nearmetal target , which can absorb sign strength .
3. RESET ON A SCHEDULE …
It sounds simple enough , but a majority of tech support job can be cleared up by simply reset or rebooting your router or modem on a veritable basis . ( It ’s also probably the first affair your net supplier will ask you to do when you call to kvetch , so head them off at the pass . ) And if you buy anoutlet timekeeper , you do n’t even have to care about it : Set the timer to readjust your router once a solar day at an off - peak time .
4. … AND UPDATE YOUR FIRMWARE.
Yes , we know — running microcode update is annoying and clip consuming . But if you have an older router , those updates see your router ’s software is lead at its best and most efficient . And remember : It ’s best to buy a new router every seven or eight years .
5. ADJUST YOUR ROUTER’S ANTENNAS.
Most routers have two adjustable antenna on top . If yours are parallel , it ’s time to swap things up andgo perpendicular . Wi - Fi works well when signals are parallel to a gadget ’s internal transmitting aerial , which are horizontal in laptops and vertical in desktop computers . Internal antenna variegate in mobile devices , depending on how you ’re holding them ( in portrait or landscape painting mode ) . keep a router ’s feeler perpendicular to each other will see to it a solid connection between your dwelling house internet and your smartphones and laptops .
6. USE BEER CANS.
Typically , a beer is something skilful enjoyedaftera home base improvement project is complete , but in this case , it ’s necessary to fuddle one before you even get started : The aluminum in beer and soda cans reflects and extend the signal farther than the router itself .
Here ’s how it works . abuse one : Have a beer and lave out the can . Then , remove the pop topand , using a pair of scissors or a utility knife , burn around the bottom of the can to remove it . recur the operation for the top of the can , just below the mouthpiece , but do n’t cut all the elbow room around — go away about 1 to 2 inches of space at the top to verify the backtalk of the can is still attached . Then , from the bottom , cut down the midriff of the can on the opposite side of the blank space . Fan out the flap to make a curve or parabola and turn the can upside down to suffer it up . Stick one of the router ’s feeler through the oral fissure of the beer can and use a pocket-size piece of channel tape or blu - shroud to keep it in place , then reprise the process for the other transmitting aerial . Although your router might look mussy , your signal strength should greatly better ( at least in certain directions ) .
If you do n’t want to use a beer can , you’re able to employ simple householdtinfoilto create the same effect .
7. PASSWORD-PROTECT YOUR NETWORK …
Because home Wi - Fi speeds are ( slenderly ) dependant on how many multitude are using it at one fourth dimension , a potent password is key : It will ensure that only empower people are using your internet . Take reward of thesecurityalready built into your router and take a watchword ( or better yet , a passphrase ) that is a hard - to - figure - out combining of letter , numbers , and symbols .
8. … AND STAGGER HEAVY BANDWIDTH USEAGE.
If too many people on your house web are using grave bandwidth at the same time , like playing online picture games , watching Netflix , and download moving-picture show and euphony from iTunes , then your entire connection will slow down for everyone . stress to stagger heavy Internet usance to ensure your home meshwork is running fast and smooth for all users .
9. BUY A REPEATER.
Amazon
Most routers have a range of about 150 foot . If you live in a big house , twist and computers in rooms furthest away from your router might have a hard time connecting to your home Wi - Fi internet . The easiest repair to boost the signaling in those rooms is to buy aWi - Fi habitual criminal , which can secure into any wall outlet and will increases a signal ’s compass and strength to the utmost parts of your home ( with acorresponding decreasein net upper for those connecting to the extender , but you ca n’t have everything ) .
If you ’re feeling more ambitious ( or cheap ) , you canturn an old router into a Wi - Fi repeaterwith a little bit of programing and hacking .
