Ugh, Sluggish WiFi? Here’s How to Fix It

Has your WiFi been slower than usual lately? There could be a number of reasons why your router has been lagging as there are downfalls to modern routers and the places where you get online. One good way to check how fast your Internet is and whether your WiFi has been having any issues is through dfndr security’s wifi check feature, which can help solve this problem.

Here are some reasons why your Internet connection may be slower than usual.

Read More: Here Are the Different WiFi Speeds Explained

Your Equipment Is Outdated
It possible that you’re still using yesterday’s hardware to power your WiFi today. Learn more about your router as “AC” routers offer the latest technology, while “B,” “G” and “N” models need to be updated. The bottom line is that they ensure your Internet is faster than with other models, while also offering more features.

The maximum spectral bandwidth of N routers is only 4 x 40MHz, while AC routers have it at 8 x 160MHz.

Is Your Router Behind an Ikea Shelf, Rethink That
This may seem like an odd one but the location of your router may affect its performance. If there are objects blocking your router in relation to where you use the Internet, that can affect performance. The tip: place it in an unobstructed area. Also, placing your router as high as possible helps it broadcast far and wide in your home.

The same applies for distance–if you’re too far away from your router, your WiFi may be considerably slower than usual.

Use an Iron-Clad Password
If you use an easy password to guess or no password at all for WiFi, it can be easy for Internet thieves to gobble up your WiFi, which will slow it down considerably. Don’t let this happen and always change the factory default password of your router. If you want to CSI your router history, use a program called WiFi History View that displays every device that’s accessed your online connection.

Microwave Popcorn Messes Up WiFi?!
This is a rare one but it’s possible that microwaves are able to interfere with your router if you have an old one. Both WiFi waves and microwaves operate on 2.4 GHz, and they can potentially overlap with each other. The same concept applies to Bluetooth as this connection also travels on 2.4 GHz.

Finally, Christmas lights can cause issues as the lights may emit an electromagnetic field that interferes with your WiFi. Take those down fast after the holiday season is over!

Check Security Settings Frequently
Sometimes, fixing slow Internet boils down to changing your settings. Having an Open network or using WEP could slow your bandwidth due to the fact that these types of networks aren’t secured. By having an unsecured network, others can steal your WiFi or hack it easily.

You should also avoid WPA and TKIP settings as these are old protocols that lack security. Stick with WPA2 and AES, which are newer, more secure settings that will boost your WiFi speed.