How to boost your broadband connection - without upgrading.

In the twenty-first century a good wifi connection is up there with necessities like food and water! We understand how frustrating it can be when your wifi just isn’t cooperating and you can’t seem to stream an episode on Netflix or join a Zoom call without the dreaded buffering. If you live in a larger house with many occupants it may be worth opting for the highest speeds but for many houses there are ways you can improve your wifi connection without having to fork out more cash monthly.

Boosters

Often we find that our wifi works perfectly when near the router but as you move around the house the signal weakens - if this is the case, boosters are your answer. They are relatively expensive and can make a world of difference. The best placement for your booster will be halfway between the router and where you are starting to  experience issues. It’s best to put the booster around the same height as the router if possible and if you’re placing it on a different floor the signal will be improved if the booster is directly above the router.

Think about your router placement 

Your router will give the best speeds if it is in a central location - this may not be possible depending on where the socket is located but there are tips everyone can follow to boost their connection. It is recommended that you elevate your router to enable the signal to spread more easily throughout the home. You should also ensure the router is not blocked by anything - the worst place for a router is in a cupboard or behind other objects as this can block its reach. Large metal objects can particularly create interferences so it is best if your router is in the open so the signal can best travel. 

Run a Wired Speed Test

If you feel the speeds are particularly slow it is advisable to run a wired speed test - for this you will need to connect your laptop via an ethernet cable to the router and use a speed check site. This will tell you which speeds your router is emitting which can help you identify if there is actually an issue with the router. Most providers guarantee at least half of the advised speed so if you are receiving less than this it’s possible that there is actually a fault on your line. In this case the provider will be able to advise and possibly send an engineer to ensure you are receiving the best connection possible.

If you have followed these tips and you are still disappointed with the signal you are receiving we’d recommend that you contact your broadband provider - they’re there to help!