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It's 2024 and laggy internet is still a nuisance.
Luckily, there are some simple steps you can follow to give your internet speed a boost.
Before you do anything else, you should do is perform a speed test. This way you can know the 'baseline measurement' of your internet connection and it's a good starting point.
It's a simple way to establish the 'baseline measurement' of your internet connection and identify any issues. There are a number of tools online that can run internet speedtests.
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Next, is to make sure your router firmware and device drivers are up to date by checking the manufacturer's website. Software updates can patch errors, strengthen areas of vulnerability, and keep your Wi-Fi secure.
Whilst doing this, you should also clear the cache on your browser and delete any unwanted cookies, this will free up space and increase your Wi-Fi speed.
On the note of updates, make sure to leave any downloads and high bandwidth activities out of peak hours, or times you won't be using the internet heavily.
High bandwidth hogs like video calls and online gaming can significantly impact internet speeds so make sure to plan downloads outside of these tasks.
Enabling Quality of Service (QoS) in your router settings can help to prioritise certain applications or devices over others.
If you're still experiencing issues, it might be time to move the router.
Where your router is placed can have a direct impact on your device's internet connection.
There are three rules to follow: central, elevated and away from interference.
If your router is central, the router signals can expand easily to all areas around and ensure each device has access.
Interference from appliances and other electronic devices can affect your internet connection, so make sure to place the router on higher ground, either on a shelf or wall mount.
Another thing is make sure to secure your Wi-Fi and boot anyone off that shouldn't be using it.
To do this, you should change your default or current password to a stronger one, this can stop any unwanted access that might be using up your bandwidth.
Also, enabling network encryption on the router, such as WPA2 or WPA3, will only allow approved devices on your network.
Alternatively, you could consider using a wired connection.
It feels a little outdated especially when everything is wireless these days, but hooking up an Ethernet cable is a sure way to get faster internet access.
Unlike wireless connections that rely on waves to transmit data, wired connections are less prone to fluctuations in speed and stability as they maintain a direct connection between your device and router.
If all else fails, it might be wise to contact your internet provider and discuss options for higher speeds, or explore better service providers in your area.
