ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (WHAT THE TECH?) — Everything in your home that connects to the internet is eating up just a little bit of the speed of your Wi-Fi network.
That includes everything from Alexa devices to doorbells to big-screen TVs. If you’re not getting the speed you need, there are a few things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi.
First, it might not be your Wi-Fi but your modem and Internet provider instead. Check there first.
Connect a computer to the modem using an Ethernet cable, then go to speedtest.net. See if it matches what you’re paying and, if it’s slower, contact your provider.
Place your Wi-Fi router as close to the middle of the house as possible. Make sure it’s away from other appliances that can cause interference.
Next, check the router signal by connecting to Wi-Fi on a phone and run the speed test again. Do this in several rooms of the house.
If the test shows slower speeds, the router may be to blame.
Wi-Fi technology has improved drastically in the past few years. If you’re using a router that’s five years old or older, you may need to upgrade.
If you haven’t already done it, download the app for your router. You can see all of the devices connected to it and shares the signal.
The app also controls updates. Make sure your router has the latest software, not just for speed, but regular security updates.
You may want to pick up a mesh network of routers. You place these around the house and they improve the signal in areas and rooms.
These Wi-Fi extenders work well too and are a relatively inexpensive way to improve your speed. Place them about halfway between the router and the room that needs faster Wi-Fi.
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