10 Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Wi-Fi and Internet Speeds Fast
Some people say that slow internet is worse than no internet – and to some extent, they're right. Having a slow, weak internet connection can be pretty annoying, especially when you're in a hurry. Fortunately, if you're having issues with your internet connection, there are ways you can fix it without leaving your house. There are many ways for you to boost your internet's speed with a few steps. Continue reading to learn 10 tips and tricks to boost your internet and Wi-Fi speeds.
Move Your Router to a Better Position
It almost sounds like a joke, but sometimes your internet connection works best in all the places you don't need it. The truth is, it doesn't really have to be that way. You can try to move your router around until you find the best spot for it. The best place to have it is around the middle of your home. That way it'll provide the same internet connection across all the rooms in your house. Of course, that might not be an option for you, so you should also consider getting a Wi-Fi extender. More on that later.
Buy a Wi-Fi Extender or a Wi-Fi Booster
You should also consider getting a Wi-Fi extender or a Wi-Fi booster if you have some extra money. Both work pretty much the same way: they'll help you make your Wi-Fi connection stronger. If you don't want to mess around with your router's location, this is a great option. You can quickly set up a Wi-Fi extender or booster any place you need it. The best part is that they're really easy to set up and you can move them around more freely compared to the router. Of course, depending on the device you get, they don't often provide the same power as a router. However, you can use the extender or booster to connect all your devices that aren't as important and that don't need a stronger internet connection.
Restart Your Router (or Devices)
Sometimes, it's a possibility that your router is just malfunctioning for no apparent reason. You should try the good old turning off and back on again technique when this happens. Believe it or not, restarting your router might be able to fix your connection issues and boost your Wi-Fi's speed without doing basically anything. The same goes for the devices you use, and if they're not connecting to your network correctly, you might want to restart them and see if that does the trick.
Disconnect Any Device That's Not Being Used
Let's face it, pretty much anything at home is connected to the internet nowadays. Sure, it's great to have a smart home, but sometimes this might affect your bandwidth. If your internet is slower for no apparent reason, too many devices may be using your bandwidth. To fix this, try disconnecting the devices that don't really need to be connected to your network all the time. You can disconnect things like e-readers, game consoles, or any other smart device that you're not using at the moment, and that might make your internet go faster than you knew it could.
Change the Router's Password
It's possible that your Wi-Fi password is weaker than you thought. You never know. Maybe a neighbor is using your Wi-Fi. To avoid that from happening, you could try changing your Wi-Fi password every now and then. Try to make it a bit harder by adding letters, numbers, and special characters. Not only will this help you disconnect any devices you're not currently using—that are still connected to the internet—but it'll keep the nosy neighbors and unwanted guests away.
Clear Your Browser Cache
In case you didn't know, the cache is a reserved storage location that will temporarily store information. You won't have to worry about cache most of the time, but if your browser isn't loading as quickly as it should, you could try clearing your cache and browsing history. That might help solve the problem.
If you're using Safari for Mac, you can clear your cache like this:
- Open Safari and click Safari in the top left corner of your screen.
- Click on Preferences.
- Select Advanced.
- Click on Show Develop menu in menu bar at the bottom of the window.
- Exit the window.
- Now you should be able to see the option Develop in the Apple menu at the top. Click on it.
- Click on Empty Caches.
And to clear your search history and cookies on Safari, do the following:
- Click on Safari in the top left corner of your screen.
- Click on Clear History.
- Choose the time you want to delete the history and cookies.
- Click on Clear History.
Use an Ethernet Cable
Granted, you can't do this with all Apple devices, but if your device supports an Ethernet cable, you should consider getting one (and an Ethernet hub). A wired connection is better when compared to wireless. Your internet connection will be boosted automatically, and you'll have a faster and stronger network just by plugging in one cable. This is the best option if you're looking to play games online with little to no lag.
Upgrade Your Router
Whether we like it or not, there's a time when even your router becomes outdated. If your router is too old or damaged, you might want to consider getting a new one. Not only will this help you with your internet connection, but you'll also be getting ready for the future. Some routers now support Wi-Fi 6E, which we're just starting to use the next generation of Wi-Fi. This might be the best option if you have some money to spare.
Update Your Router
It's possible that your router's software is outdated too. Fortunately, you might be able to fix it without buying a new one. All you need to do is update your router. To do this, you should try to connect your router to your computer with an Ethernet connection. You can then try to find new updates available on the website of your router's manufacturer.
Talk to Your Internet Service Provider
When everything else fails, talk to a professional. Your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, might be able to give you a better fix than the ones on this list. Ultimately, the problem might be with them and not with you, so it's a good option to contact them if you can't manage to fix the problem yourself. You might also want to consider upgrading your internet plan, which might give you more bandwidth and a stronger connection to support all your connected devices.