We have come to expect a fast connection to the Internet. It is essential if we are in the habit of streaming video or engaging in a lot of online activity. Whether we connect to the net by a wire or a wireless connection, the expectations are high. As more individuals and companies have moved to a wireless connectivity solution, slow WiFi has become an irritating problem for many users.
There are a number of situations where slow WiFi performance can become more than just a slight annoyance. Suppose you use the Internet to participate in a workout routine and your WiFi is so slow that it soon becomes worthless to try and follow along with the instructor. Perhaps you are trying to download some documents while on an important conference call, and they are taking forever to get to you. There are many reasons that you want to keep your WiFi operating at the best speed possible.
Before we delve into the specific issues that may negatively impact your WiFi speed we need to mention how the use of a WiFi analysis tool can be a huge help in identifying and correcting the problem. Using a quality software application such as NetSpot allows you to conduct surveys on your current WiFi configuration and determine where there is room for improvement.
Without an accurate analysis of your WiFi network, you will simply be guessing when trying to troubleshoot an issue. After a network analysis, you will be able to identify dead spots and interference. Armed with the knowledge the tool can provide, you may find that your problem can be quickly and easily solved.
Why is My WiFi so Slow and How Can I Fix It?
Your WiFi performance and speed may be less than desired due to a variety of different reasons. Let’s take a look at some of them and show you how to fix slow WiFi in your home or office.
Bad Router Positioning
A badly positioned router can definitely be the cause of slow WiFi speeds. Many routers are placed in a convenient location near an electrical outlet and basically forgotten. In order to fix this problem, you simply need to find the right place to put the router. Using a WiFi analysis tool can help in this regard by creating a heat map of the WiFi coverage area. By moving the router to different spots, you can find the one that provides the best and fastest performance.
You should place the router in the highest and most central location that you can. This will afford the greatest coverage area. Keep the router clear of metal and concrete, as these materials will block the wireless signals. In general, you should not place any objects where they can impede the wireless signal from reaching the intended users.
Channel or Frequency Problems
There are a limited number of channels that are available for use in your WiFi router. Many users never change the default, leading to channel 1, 6, and 11 being the most used channels. Here is another example where a WiFi analysis tool can be instrumental in resolving the issue. Using the tool, you can monitor nearby WiFi networks and see which channels are being used for transmission. Selecting a channel with less usage can boost your network’s speed.
Some routers can only broadcast signals at 2.4 GHz while others offer dual-band capability and can also transmit at 5 GHz. The higher transmission speed is coupled with a larger range of channels that can be used with the dual-band router. You may need to upgrade your router if other remedies fail to cure your slow WiFi.
Wireless Interference and Noise
Many devices in your home or office can be responsible for producing noise or interfering with your wireless signals, leading to reduced transmission speed. Some of the causes of background noise, such as that generated from cell towers, are beyond your control. In other cases, turning off Bluetooth devices or not running the microwave while trying to stream a movie might be just the trick to speed up your WiFi.
Overloading Your Capacity
If you are sharing your WiFi signal among a number of family member or co-workers, you might simply be overloading your WiFi capacity. One way around a crowded network is to restrict large downloads such as operating system upgrades to off hours when there is usually less usage. You may also need to investigate changing your router’s DNS settings in an attempt to subvert this problem.
These are some of the ways that your WiFi network can be slowed down. They can all be addressed and corrective action can be taken to improve your speed. Try using a WiFi analysis tool if you run into these types of issues. It can save you a lot of time in diagnosing and correcting the underlying issues that are causing your WiFi to slow down.
