4 Hacks to Amp Up Your Home Internet Without Costly Upgrades

I am sure we all dread the slow connection error. It is surprising that with so many progressive internet technologies, we still have to face problems like slow internet and network disruption. 

From hindering our online activities to making us feel like we are in the stone age, a slow internet is as nightmarish as it gets. One might think that the solution lies in just upgrading to a better internet connection, but that is not an easy feat. With hidden charges and lengthy contracts, finding an internet upgrade is nothing less than a task. 

And yet, slow internet is a pinching reality for most of us residential internet users. For instance, the internet in my area used to be consistently slow with my ISP being unable to help me. That was before I came across a couple of very helpful tips that improved my internet connection so much, that it felt like I had gotten a costly upgrade. 

You can use these tips to improve your internet speed and WiFi experience and finally say goodbye to slow internet errors. 

1. Switch to a WiFi 6E Router

Sometimes the culprit is not the ISP but your inefficient WiFi router. This means it cannot carry the internet signals throughout your home. This results in WiFi dead zones and internet connectivity issues. A WiFi 6E is the latest technology in WiFi routers. Not only can it carry signals better, but also protects the signal strength, making sure you get the strongest signal in all corners of your home. 

Commonly available WiFi routers work on 2.4 GHz or 5Gz bands. A 2.4GHz has a better range but falls short on speed. Whereas, a 5GHz band is unable to penetrate objects which results in a weaker internet signal. The WiFi 6E, however, uses the 6GHz bands which significantly improves its capacity, coverage, and efficiency. It supports 60 channels which allows it to seamlessly handle multiple internet users on a single network. This means your router will be better equipped to provide strong internet signals within its range. 

2. Use the Ethernet Cable

Nothing screams uninterrupted connection like an Ethernet cable. It is a cable that connects to the WiFi router to distribute the internet signals to the device connected on the other end. 

If you are facing issues with a slow internet connection, plugging your device to the internet via the Ethernet cable is a great way to get a good internet speed. It may affect your mobility, because your device will be hooked to the cable. In any case, you will still be able receiving improved internet speed to your device. 

Without the Ethernet cable, your device is connected to the router wirelessly, and as a result, the internet speed tends to degrade in quality. Whereas hooking your machine to an Ethernet cable ensures uninterrupted connection and fast and direct data transfer to/from your device. 

3. Invest in a WiFi Extender

Is your computer setup placed away from your WiFi router? Are there many walls between the computer and WiFi router? This might be a reason why your device is not receiving good speeds. This works in cases when your home is too big or the WiFi signal has to travel around multiple walls and corners to reach your device. 

The solution to this is a WiFi Extender that works by transporting WiFi signals from the router to areas that only get weak internet signals. It basically covers dead zones around your house. If you tend to face frequent network outages, then the culprit might be a weak WiFi signal. 

You can plug a WiFi extender into a wall outlet to extend the reach of the router signal. Beyond that, a WiFi Mesh can more progressively improve your wireless Internet signal. 

4. Update Your Router’s Firmware

This might seem technical but trust me, it is important. A firmware is essentially your router’s operating system. Just like your PC requires one to run smoothly, the router is also dependent on a software to function. This software allows the router to do its job i.e., distribute internet signals efficiently. 

Most advanced routers have automatic updates enabled. However, if your router has been around for a couple of years, there is a chance it doesn’t have automatic updates enabled. Enabling updates for the router’s firmware can get it new features that can improve its overall performance. 

To update it, you can visit the router manufacturer’s website to seek help. You can use the stickers on your router to find information like its serial number, model, etc. You can also use this to seek help from the internet. Apart from that, most routers have their own apps and it is pretty easy to update the firmware from those apps. 

These four methods are my personal favorite as I find them the most effective. However, this is not just it. There is a wide variety of other ways which you can use to improve your connection’s speed. On an ending note, I want to emphasize that if the speed problem persists after trying these, upgrading to a better internet plan might be the only way out for you.