Does a router matter? Yes, it does. And it matters a lot. And if your internet speed is significantly slowing down, check if replacing the router isn't necessary. Because the router can have a crucial impact on internet speed. Situations such as configuration, technological capabilities of the connection, and network load are involved. There can also be other independent interference – such as walls in your apartment or the distance of the device from the router.
Is a Wi-Fi router due for replacement?
Recent history has brought us many surprises in recent years, which have fundamentally impacted the load on home networks and internet speed. Suddenly, work and study had to take place synchronously within four walls with the participation of all family members. But it's not only such extreme situations that make it worthwhile to maximize the performance of home equipment.
Also, check out the article: What internet to choose for remote learning?
If your internet speed should be blazing fast, and it's not, then even if every family member has Wi-Fi access, forget about video calls, scrolling through Facebook, or watching Netflix movies in decent quality. OK, so what then? Grab your smartphone and call the Help Desk. At Mobile Vikings, we'll welcome you like any Viking, warmly and understandingly. If you find out that everything is fine with the internet, your home Wi-Fi router might be the source of the problems.
No, you don't have to spend money on replacing it just yet. To start, a few recommendations, which we can call Wi-Fi feng shui, will suffice. Start by restarting the device and checking the router's speed.
Since we are checking the quality of wireless connectivity, the placement of the Wi-Fi router will be important for the test. To get an optimal signal, you should place the device in an open space. It should be far from any obstacles like walls or electronic equipment that can cause interference. The CloudCheck app can help with this. It will allow you to identify dead spots for wireless connectivity and determine areas with the strongest signal strength.
You can check your internet speed, for example, via speedtest.pl. Additionally, you can use your phone with an app to analyze the Wi-Fi signal. It's best to do this on several devices equipped with browsers and at different times of the day. This will tell you whether the discrepancies in data download and upload are caused by the quality of individual devices or by the internet speed. It's also worth knowing that peak hours apply to the internet too. Especially in the afternoon and evening, the speed of wireless internet can be lower.
What else can you do for your Wi-Fi router?
You should ensure that the wireless router you are using has up-to-date drivers and software. Newer models have built-in updates, but older ones may require intervention from time to time. Depending on the hardware manufacturer, you can find out from the manual how to access the router's settings and find ways to fix issues. It is also in your best interest to use the latest equipment, which will be equipped with dual-band functionality – 2.4 and 5 GHz.
To receive and transmit data, routers use radio frequencies, which are divided into channels. The newer standard (5 GHz) has 30 channels, while the older one has 14. Importantly, 5 GHz has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz, but it is less susceptible to external interference.
If you live in a crowded area, it's possible that routers near your device are using the same channels (by default, many wireless routers are set to channel 6). Newer routers have the ability to automatically switch between channels. This can be a bigger problem with older ones, so you'll have to do it yourself. Mobile apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer, or programs like Vistumbler or iStumbler, can help you determine which channels in your area are less congested. Once you've checked this, log in to your router's interface in your browser and select the least congested channel in the Wi-Fi settings. Remember, it might not work perfectly the first time, and after each attempt and channel selection, you should perform an internet speed test.
Only if the above methods have not improved your internet speed, can you start looking for new equipment. And once you buy and connect it, you can call our Help Desk to tell us that the internet from Vikings is working flawlessly.
