How to Get Faster Internet Connections at Home?
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, everyone has been working and learning remotely. With such a huge rise in demand, the Internet speeds can get significantly slow especially during peak hours. However, by trying a few months, you can boost your home Wi-Fi speeds.
For-example I being a regular subscriber of reliable Spectrum TV and Internet packages experienced unusually slow speeds last month. However, by seeking customer support, I was able to change the router settings and get blazing fast speeds again.
So, here are a few methods that can help you get the desired speeds at home:
Test Your Internet Speed
The first step to get blazing fast speeds is to test your current Internet speeds. This will help you in determining whether you are getting the advertised speeds or not. You can do so by visiting the site SpeedTest.net and doing a test there. In case you are not getting the advertised speeds, you can seek customer support and negotiate your Internet bill with your internet service provider.
Try a Different Router/Modem
The slow Internet speeds might be the result of an old router/modem. So, if there is no problem with your ISP’s settings, then you can consider buying a new modem/router. But before doing so, you should make sure that the model is compatible with the Internet plan/package that you are using.
Scan Your Device
Sometimes, a cyberattack can also slow down Internet speeds significantly. So, before contacting your ISP, install efficient antivirus software and run a scan on your device. This will allow you to make sure that no viruses are slowing down the speeds. In case your device has a virus, contact an expert immediately to get rid of it.
Consider Discarding Your Cordless Phone
Some home devices like microwaves and cordless phones can interfere with your Wi-Fi signals. This interference can easily slow down the speeds. So, it might be a good idea to get rid of those devices altogether to get faster speeds at home.
Consider Using an Ethernet Cable
If you live alone, then you can consider opting for the wired option. The router placement and settings can significantly affect Wi-Fi signals. Therefore, it might be a good idea to use an Ethernet cable to access the Internet if you don’t need to move around very often.
Check for Other Sources of Interference
Devices like iPhone, iPad, and TV can become big sources of interference if they are placed near your modem. So, contact an expert to see if these devices are interfering with your Internet signals. If they are doing so, make sure to get them out of the modem area.
Consider Replacing Your Cables
The Internet speeds can get significantly affected by the length and structure of your cables. So, change your phone cables and lines every year so that they don’t deliver poor signals. Switch to shorter cables as they can deliver faster speeds easily.
Restart Your Router
Your router also needs a break. Keeping it on for a long time continuously can compromise its functioning. Therefore, turn it off for a minute or so and turn it on again every month. Doing so can help your router get rid of any speed issues effectively.
Place the Router in a Different Location
The router placement can affect your Internet speeds significantly. So, buy a Wi-Fi analyzer and generate a heat map of your house to find the ideal location for your router. Make sure that the router is positioned in the middle of the house and is considerably up from the floor. Also, keep the antennas upwards to make the most of your home Wi-Fi signals.
Change Your Router Settings
Sometimes the wrong setting can keep you from achieving the best speeds. Therefore, go to your service provider’s webpage and enter your modem/router login information to change the settings. The best way to do so might be to contact your ISP. If you can’t contact your ISP, then you can go to the webpage and read about the most efficient settings.
Block the Ads
Your ISP might be providing a range of ads, GIFs, and videos on your network. These ads might seem harmless but can lower your Internet speeds considerably. So, install a reliable ad-blocker to stop streaming those ads. If you do so, you’ll witness a significant boost in your download speeds.
Consider Upgrading Your Internet Package
Your current Internet package might not be powerful enough to fulfill your household needs. You might have a large household and everyone in it might have his/her device. So, consider upgrading your package to enjoy higher speeds.
Switch to a Different ISP
If you have tried all the above methods and none of them have worked, then switching to a different ISP might be the right choice. For-example the Internet speeds at my home did not increase significantly even after I upgraded my Internet package. So, by selecting one of the most suitable Spectrum offers, I was finally able to get the desired speeds at home. Since then I have recommended this ISP to my friend as well.