In today’s digital age, the internet has become as essential as water or electricity—integral to our daily lives yet often overlooked. Most individuals seldom consider the technical aspects like routers, network cables, or frequency bands unless they encounter issues. However, wireless networks, commonly known as Wi-Fi, are not without their flaws, and it’s rare for users to avoid experiencing connectivity problems.
Frequent issues include inadequate coverage in certain areas of the home, devices disconnecting unexpectedly, interrupted audio and video streams, and slower download speeds than anticipated. Fortunately, by adjusting your router’s settings and repositioning it within your home, it’s possible to enhance your Wi-Fi performance. For more stubborn issues, there are various networking devices designed to assist.
Related: Choosing a New Router: Key Settings to Get Started
Optimal Router Settings
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Different routers come with varying abilities to customize Wi-Fi settings. However, most offer essential configurations, including:
Channel Width
Channel width determines the extent of frequency spectrum allocated to the communication between devices and the router. Narrow channels allow for multiple networks to operate concurrently in a given vicinity without interference, while wider channels increase data capacity per transmission, resulting in faster speeds—provided the signal remains robust.
If your router can automatically select channel width, it typically delivers optimal performance. Some advanced routers can adjust the channel width dynamically to enhance network efficiency. However, if you’re inclined to make manual adjustments, consider starting with the widest option available (160MHz in the 5GHz band) and then experimenting with narrower settings (80MHz and 40MHz) to assess their impact on device connections.
For routers that support the 6GHz band, leveraging the widest channels may yield even better performance, but it’s wise to validate your results through testing.
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Channel: Manual or Automatic
Depending on the chosen channel width, the number of channels can vary. For instance, a 160MHz channel provides only three channels in the 5GHz band, while a 40MHz setting allows up to 14 channels. The 2.4GHz band, on the other hand, exclusively supports either 20MHz or 40MHz channels, with 20MHz being the standard to avoid overlap among three channels (1, 6, and 11).
Generally, it’s advisable to allow the router to determine the channel as it can effectively choose the least congested one. If you experience coverage gaps in specific areas of your home, and notice that a neighboring network is utilizing the same channel as yours, consider switching channels manually.
TP-Link
Combined or Separate Frequency Bands
Simultaneous use of 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands operates independently, often under a unified network name (SSID) to which devices connect. The band selection usually occurs automatically, but there are cases where it’s advantageous to establish separate networks for each band. This is particularly beneficial for smart devices that only operate on 2.4GHz and struggle to connect, or for devices that prefer the 5GHz band but encounter weak signals due to obstructions.
Band Steering
Many routers equipped with band steering options will automatically manage the band selection for connected devices, optimizing performance based on various factors.
For example, advanced routers from brands like Asus allow users to customize band selection, but expertise is often required to make more effective decisions than the router itself.
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Should you face issues such as devices stubbornly connecting to the 5GHz band despite weak signals, exploring these settings may prove helpful. For practical advice regarding Asus router configurations, refer to sites like Small Net Builder.
Quality of Service: Leveling the Playing Field for All Devices
The Quality of Service (QoS) feature in many premium routers helps balance bandwidth distribution, preventing any single device from monopolizing the network’s capacity. For example, without QoS, a powerful computer downloading files via BitTorrent could monopolize the entire internet connection.
QoS can also prioritize certain types of internet traffic, such as online gaming—where low latency is crucial—or video calls, both of which stand to benefit from consistent bandwidth allocation.
High-performance routers often manage traffic effectively without QoS, but less capable models can struggle with bufferbloat—a condition where excessive packet queuing delays data transmission. A faster internet connection won’t resolve bufferbloat issues, and improper router settings can exacerbate them.
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You can investigate potential bufferbloat on your router using tests available on dslreports.com or waveform.com. Their assessments provide ratings without requiring an intricate understanding of the underlying metrics. At its core, this testing examines how response times fluctuate under heavy traffic conditions.
If you experience bufferbloat or erratic gaming and video-calling performance, toggle QoS settings if your router supports them. For specific instructions regarding your model, searching “[router model name] qos” can yield helpful guides.
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For instance, my newly acquired Asus router features Adaptive QoS, which allows me to select from five preset configurations prioritizing various functions—gaming, streaming, general browsing, distance learning, or remote work. You can also personalize the order of prioritization.
However, it’s worth noting that multiple features, including Adaptive QoS, may require authorization for the router manufacturer to share your data with a partnered security firm, such as Trend Micro in the case of Asus. Each router brand may have similar agreements.
Netspot
Assess Your Home for Coverage Issues
If you’ve customized your router settings but are still grappling with slow connectivity or devices frequently disconnecting in certain areas of your home, it might be time to consider a network upgrade.
Before investing in a new router or extensions, it’s beneficial to assess the current signal strength throughout your residence. Applications like Netspot can assist you, provided you have a floor plan of your home and a laptop.
Install the program and start a new survey project, uploading an image of your floor plan or sketching it manually. Utilize a calibration function to ensure accurate distance measurements, and select the measurement point coverage size (the default option usually suffices).
Next, walk through your home with your laptop while Netspot records the signal strength at various locations. Click on the floor plan as you measure and stop the recording when finished. The outcome will be displayed as a color-coded map, illustrating areas with strong signals in warmer colors and those with weak signals in cooler hues.
By conducting this assessment in multiple locations, you can determine optimal placements for extenders or determine if a router with more robust antennas could improve coverage in challenging areas. You can also identify if relocating the router enhances its performance by running another survey.
Alleviate Bandwidth Strain with Ethernet Connections
A straightforward way to lessen the strain on your router and improve the performance of devices reliant on wireless connections is by utilizing Ethernet cables for stationary devices. Many TVs, gaming consoles, smart home hubs, and media players include Ethernet ports. If your router lacks sufficient ports, inexpensive switches from brands like Netgear or TP-Link can provide a solution.
Additionally, connecting devices through a switch allows direct communication between them without routing traffic through the main router, potentially reducing its load. For instance, streaming content from a NAS device to a TV or computer via a switch can help alleviate bandwidth pressure on the Wi-Fi network.
Consider Upgrading to a Wi-Fi Booster, Repeater, or Mesh System
When Wi-Fi issues persist, upgrading your hardware may be necessary. The best option will depend on your current setup and the feasibility of running cables within your home.
Wi-Fi Amplifier
Wi-Fi repeaters expand an existing network by creating a duplicate network with the same name (SSID). Newer models can connect either wirelessly or with a wired link. While wireless connectivity provides more flexibility, it typically results in lower speeds and increased latency due to the two-step communication process with the router.
TP-Link
Repeater
While technically an older technology, Wi-Fi repeaters passively capture and retransmit router signals. This method seldom improves performance and is generally not recommended.
Linksys
Mesh Systems
Mesh routers utilize two or more base stations throughout your home, with one acting as the primary unit connected to the internet. These stations communicate wirelessly, often using dedicated channels and antennas to prevent interference with the main network.
If you’re encountering persistent Wi-Fi issues with typical routers, adopting a mesh system with two or three base stations is usually a straightforward solution, albeit not always the most economical. Utilizing Netspot can help identify optimal base station placements, allowing for seamless coverage throughout your home.
Some traditional routers now feature built-in mesh capabilities to allow future expansion with compatible devices. For example, Asus provides AI Mesh, while TP-Link features Onemesh. These systems offer flexibility in adding devices, including other regular routers, mesh routers, or extenders with mesh functionality.
However, all devices within a mesh setup must be from the same manufacturer and adhere to the specific mesh technology for compatibility.
When setting up a mesh network, positioning base stations optimally is critical to ensuring strong signals between them. Ideally, their ranges should overlap minimally, and the signal path should be as unobstructed as possible.
Related: Safeguarding Your Home Network: Essential Tips and Settings