10 Ways to Boost WiFi Speed

WiFi has become an integral part of our daily lives, but a slow WiFi connection can be frustrating. If you're struggling with buffering videos, slow download times, or interrupted video calls, improving your WiFi speed might be necessary. 

Here are ten effective strategies to enhance your WiFi connection and ensure a smoother online experience.

1. Restart Your Modem and Router

Sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective. Restarting your modem and router can resolve numerous connection issues, clearing any temporary glitches affecting your WiFi's performance.

Follow these steps:

• Disconnect your modem and router from the power source. 

• Allow a pause of no less than 30 seconds. 

• Reconnect your modem and switch it on. 

• After waiting a minimum of 60 seconds, reconnect your router. If necessary, activate it by pressing the power switch. Give it at least 2 minutes before you begin to test or use your devices.

2. Secure Your Network

An unsecured WiFi network is an open invitation for unauthorised users to hog your bandwidth. Ensure your network is password-protected with WPA2 or WPA3 encryption to keep it secure and improve speed.

A study published to Forbes reports that 40% of respondents had their information compromised while using public Wi-Fi.

3. Optimise Router Placement

The location of your router significantly impacts your WiFi signal strength. Place it in a central, elevated position away from walls and obstructions for optimal coverage throughout your home.

4. Update Your Equipment

Outdated routers and modems can significantly slow down your WiFi speed. If yours is several years old, consider upgrading to a newer model that supports the latest WiFi standards (such as WiFi 5 or WiFi 6).

While it might seem straightforward to attribute slow NBN speeds to network issues, NBN Co points out that the actual problem frequently lies with the modems. Following an analysis of more than 700 households in 2019 aimed at identifying the root causes of speed complaints, NBN Co discovered that outdated firmware in modems was the leading cause of the most prevalent speed-related problems.

5. Utilise the 5GHz Band

Modern routers offer dual-band connections, allowing you to switch between the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 5GHz band is faster and less crowded, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive activities.

6. Add a WiFi Extender

A WiFi extender can broaden your network's reach, ensuring that all areas of your home have a strong signal. This is particularly useful in larger homes or those with multiple floors.

This kind of device offers the cheapest way to extend your router’s signal, but it isn’t as fast or reliable as a mesh kit and doesn’t cover as much space.

7. Limit Connected Devices

Too many devices connected to your WiFi can slow down the speed for everyone. Disconnect devices that are not in use and manage bandwidth-hungry applications.

8. Update Router Firmware

Regularly check for and install firmware updates for your router. These updates can fix known issues and sometimes provide new features to improve performance.

9. Use Quality of Service (QoS) Settings

QoS settings allow you to prioritise traffic from specific devices or applications. This ensures that critical tasks, like video calls, are not interrupted by other less important activities.

Follow these steps to change your QoS:

• Access your router: Open a web browser and type in your router's default IP address, found on the router's underside or in the manual. Log in with your username and password.

• Go to Wireless settings: Find and open the Wireless section.

• Find QoS settings: Look for QoS Settings under advanced or wireless settings.

• Set up QoS rules: Click on "Set Up QoS Rule" to prioritise certain traffic types, like video calls.

• Prioritise networks: In the QoS section, check if your desired applications are listed and assign them the "highest" priority. If not listed, add them by clicking "Add Priority Rule" and follow the setup.

• Apply changes: Click the Apply button and restart your router from the general settings menu.

10. Consider a Mesh WiFi System

For extensive coverage without the need for extenders, a mesh WiFi system uses multiple router-like devices to blanket your home with a strong signal. This solution is ideal for eliminating dead zones and ensuring consistent speeds across large or complex layouts.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly improve your WiFi speed and reliability, enhancing your online experience whether you're working from home, streaming entertainment, or simply browsing the web.

If you make these changes and still experience slow internet, it may be time to upgrade your plan to a faster connection with more data. 

Try something like a gigabit internet plan, such as NodeOne’s 1,000 Mbps plan. 

Marshall Thurlow is Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.