Top 10 Ways to Boost Your WiFi

The bottom line: when configuring a router, the best security option is WPA2-AES. Avoid TKIP, WPA and WEP. WPA2-AES also gives you more resistance to a KRACK attack. After selecting WPA2, older routers would then ask if you wanted AES or TKIP.

11 Ways to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi and Make Your Internet Faster

1. Move Your Router. That router in the closet?
2. Use an Ethernet Cable. We sometimes forget: wires still exist!
3. Change the Channel or Band. Wi-Fi signal is divided into channels.
4. Upgrade Your Router. Photograph: Amazon.
5. Get a Wi-Fi Extender.
6. Use Your Electrical Wiring.
7. Password Your Wi-Fi.
8. Cut Off Unused Devices.

1. Select a Good Place for Your Router.
2. Keep Your Router Updated.
3. Get a Stronger Antenna.
4. Cut Off WiFi Leeches.
5. Buy a WiFi Repeater/ Booster/ Extender.
6. Switch to a Different WiFi Channel.
7. Control Bandwidth-Hungry Applications and Clients.
8. Use the Latest WiFi Technologies.

A good internet speed is at or above 25 Mbps. These speeds will support most online activity, such as HD streaming, online gaming, web browsing and downloading music.

1. Angle one Wi-Fi antenna up and one to the side.
2. Check out antenna upgrades and omnidirectional antennas.
3. Move your wireless router to an elevated, clear spot.
4. Move your wireless router to a central part of your home.
5. Configure or purchase a Wi-Fi repeater.
6. Add an internet extender.

Absolutely! WiFi extenders capture an existing WiFi signal using one WiFi antenna, amplify it, and transmit it using another WiFi antenna. The best WiFi range extenders are able to cover a wide area with a strong WiFi signal and effectively eliminate all dead zones and areas of signal weakness.

Yes, your router affects your internet speed. It manages and processes all the data from your home network—so a good router makes the most of your internet speed, while a slow router can bog it down.

If you want faster internet speeds, Cat6 is a good choice. It reduces something called “crosstalk” — signal transfers that disrupt your communication channels. If you are happy with your current internet speeds, however, Cat5 might be all you need. Besides, Cat5 cables tend to be cheaper than Cat6.

Do you need a router if you have a modem? The technical answer is no, but the practical answer is yes. Because a modem can only connect to one device at a time, you’ll need a router if you want to be able to access the internet from multiple devices.

Your modem will give you a reliable, wired Internet connection. If you only have one device that needs to connect to the Internet, like a PC or laptop, you can get away with just having a modem. But if you have multiple devices, or want to use your devices wirelessly (WiFi), then you will need a router, too.

Decode the Blinking Lights If you can’t connect to the internet at all, take a look at your modem and router. Both should have a few LED status indicators—if none of them are lit up, then the modem or router is probably unplugged or powered down.

Before you power up your modem, you’ll want to connect it to your computer and your phone jack or cable outlet. To connect it to your computer, plug one end of an Ethernet cable into the Ethernet or LAN port on the back of your modem, then plug the other end into the Ethernet port on the back of your computer.

Combination modem and router provided by AT: AT Arris BGW210-700. If you do opt to go ahead and rent your equipment from AT, you’ll receive one of a few different models used by the ISP. One of the best is the Arris BGW210-700, which supports the fastest VDLS2 connections.

1. Bandwith Restriction by AT. The main reason for your Internet slowness is because Internet Service Providers throttles the bandwidth speed to users and AT is no different. They restrict the full speed, to cater to gamers and streaming services during peak hours.

WPS stands for Wi-Fi Protected Setup. It is a wireless network security standard that tries to make connections between a router and wireless devices (cameras) faster and easier. WPS works only for wireless networks that use a password that is encrypted with the WPA Personal or WPA2 Personal security protocols.

In general, experts recommend upgrading your router at least every five years. Make that every two to three years if you use lots of smart home gadgets, or if you make a regular habit of buying the latest laptops, phones and other primary Wi-Fi devices.

Troubleshooting routers and modems

1. Test your Wi-Fi on different devices.
2. Restart your modem and router.
3. Try a different Ethernet cable.
4. See who’s using your Wi-Fi.
5. Upgrade your equipment.
6. Call your internet service provider.
7. Reset your router to default settings.

You don’t necessarily need to buy a router to connect to the Internet. It’s possible to connect your computer directly to your modem using an Ethernet cable. Also, many modems include a built-in router, so you have the option of creating a Wi-Fi network without buying extra hardware.

If the Internet works fine on other devices, the problem lies with your device and its WiFi adapter. On the other hand, if the Internet doesn’t work on other devices too, then the problem is most likely with the router or the Internet connection itself. If your router and modem are separate, restart both.