Wifi is affected by so many things so we thought we would include some common issues and ways to fix them.
Slow connection
Cause: The most obvious problem with Wi-Fi speeds slowing down is being too far from the router. The further you are from the router, the more unreliable the connection and its throughput will become.
Fix: To fix this, just get a little closer. If the router is located in a different room, try going into the room where the router is located and see if that fixes the issue. If this is a consistent issue, try to position your router higher (up on a shelf), away from other devices, which can interfere with it, and in a central location in your home.
If that doesn't work, consider purchasing a second cabled in router and a set of powerline network adapters to extend your network, wireless repeaters are extremely troublesome and we dont recomend them.
Cause: Another cause for slowdowns is a lack of bandwidth. If everyone is home and using their computers, phones and televisions for data-hungry applications, your typically speedy Internet is being spread thin and shared across multiple devices. Imgaine it like water pressure in your home, when all the taps are open, the pressure drops.
Fix: Disconnect any devices that you aren't actively using. If multiple people are trying to stream videos from, say, YouTube and Netflix, while someone else is trying to game online, you can try connecting one or more of the devices directly to the router using a Cat-5 ethernet cable to free up some of the wireless bandwidth. But the problem may be that you just don't have fast enough Internet speed to support everything at once.
There is also the possibility that someone nearby is leeching off your Internet. To prevent this from happening, be sure to give out the password sparingly and change it every couple of months.
Cause: Interference can be a real issue, especially in crowded areas.
Fix: Fortunately, many newer model routers are capable of automatically selecting the least crowded frequencies upon rebooting. Perform a power cycle on your router or, drop us a mail and we will preform a scan remotely and select the cleanest channel for you.
Cause: Wireless technology has changed quite a bit over the last 10 years. New wireless standards have been put in place, speeds are faster than ever, fiber is being offered in more areas and devices you never thought would require an Internet connection need Wi-Fi -- televisions, speakers, refrigerator, printers, lights and more. The problem could easily be an outdated or under spec'd router.
Fix: If you think the limitation lies with your router, it may be time to start saving up for a new one. Upgrading your router every two years or so is good practice and can help you avoid certain issues altogether.
Slow Internet speeds even next to the WiFi router
Fix: Try bypassing the WiFi by plugging your laptop into your modem directly, and see if the speeds are still slow, using a site like speedtest.net. If speeds are way down, make sure no one is downloading or updating there devices- updates can happen in the background so its best to turn all devices off.
If you still have the issue, please let us know!
No Internet connection
Cause: Periodically, something glitches and the router or modem (or combination) just stop communicating. There isn't always an explanation. It just happens (Power dips, surges).
Fix: The best place to start is to check all cables are plugged in correctly and everything is powered on, often whilst cleaning in the area somone may inadvertently knock a plug or cable out. Failing which, a reboot will normally fix these kind of glitches.
