1. Connect Your Windows PC Directly to Your Wi-Fi Router with an Ethernet Cable:
Using an Ethernet cable is the most reliable way to get a connection to your Wi-Fi router. It eliminates any interference that could slow down your connection and also increases the speed of your connection. For example, if you’re using a laptop connected to your Wi-Fi router by a wireless connection, it will be much slower than if you directly connect your laptop to the router via an Ethernet cable.
2. Place Your Wi-Fi Router in a Central Location:
The location of your Wi-Fi router can have a major impact on the overall performance of your network. If you place your router in a central location, it’s more likely that you’ll have a stronger signal throughout your home or office. If you have a router that’s tucked away in a corner or behind furniture, you’re likely to experience weaker signals in some parts of your home or office.
3. Change Your Wi-Fi Channel:
The majority of Wi-Fi routers use a single channel, which can become congested with other networks in your area. To help improve your connection, try changing the Wi-Fi channel that your router is using. You can do this by accessing your router’s settings using a web browser.
4. Upgrade Your Wi-Fi Router:
If your router is more than a few years old, then it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer model. Newer routers are generally faster (often much faster) and offer better range. Additionally, they often come with features such as dual-band technology and advanced network security settings, which can help keep your network safe and secure.
5. Make Sure Your Device is Up to Date:
It’s important to make sure that all of your devices (computers, phones, tablets, etc.) are up to date with the latest software patches, firmware updates, and drivers. This can help ensure your devices are compatible and can connect to your Wi-Fi network without any issues.
6. Keep a Watch on Network Usage:
Avoid running too many applications or streaming services at once, as this can put a strain on your network and slow down your Wi-Fi connection. Also, take a look at what devices are connected to your network and limit the number of devices that are using the connection.
7. Change the Security Settings on Your Wi-Fi Router:
Your router’s security settings can have an effect on its performance, so it’s important to make sure that these settings are up to date. Many routers come preconfigured with WPA2-PSK encryption, but if possible, upgrade to WPA3 for the best security. You can also change the password on your router to something long and complicated to avoid unauthorised access.
8. Use a Mesh Wi-Fi System:
Mesh Wi-Fi systems are becoming increasingly popular, and they can help to improve the coverage of your Wi-Fi network. They work by providing additional points of access throughout your home or office, which can extend the reach of your Wi-Fi network and eliminate any dead spots.
9. Turn off Bandwidth-Heavy Features:
Manufacturers often add bandwidth-heavy features to their routers to make them look more attractive to consumers. Many of these features (such as Quality of Service and parental controls) can have a negative impact on your Wi-Fi performance and should be disabled if possible.
10. Reset Your Router:
If all else fails, then it may be necessary to reset your router. This will restore its settings back to their default values, and it can help to clear out any software conflicts that may be causing your connection issues. Before performing a reset, make sure you back up any important settings so that they won’t be lost.