It’s that time of year when the leaves are falling and cozy nights spent inside are calling. When nestled up on the couch watching Netflix, you need your Wi-Fi to be top-notch. Is there anything more frustrating than streaming an episode of Bridgerton that starts buffering as soon as Queen Charlotte stomps into a ball?
Fear not, dear reader. You don’t necessarily need to pay more to upgrade your internet service. For many people, slow Wi-Fi is an issue that can sometimes be addressed with simple hacks and affordable products. Whether you need to be online for work or play, here are a few methods to make streaming more pleasant and reliable.
Do a speed test
Before attempting anything, perform a speed test on your Wi-Fi to determine its status. The evaluation will help you diagnose connectivity issues. (You can’t know which direction to turn if you don’t know your starting point on the map, right?) Figure out where you are in terms of connectivity so you can determine which step makes the most sense. Knowing your download speed and upload speed will empower you, particularly if you end up needing to contact your Wi-Fi provider. The top options for free speed tests come from Google and Ookla.
Restart everything
You know how you feel refreshed and infinitely better after a good night’s sleep? Much like our bodies, simply powering down technology for a bit and then turning it on again can have a big impact. If your Wi-Fi is acting wild, try the old-fashioned approach: Turn it off, then on again. Sometimes the simplest answer is the right one.
To do this, unplug your modem. Give it a minute or two of rest, then plug it back in. A restart can allow your modem to clear any glitches. You can also turn the Wi-Fi on and off on your devices, like your phone or laptop, then reconnect to it. Restarting your modem every few months, even if you’re not having Wi-Fi issues anymore, can be a way to give your connection a regular boost.
Move your router
This is another tip that falls into the it’s-really-that-simple category. Moving your router to a different location can often work wonders. Relocate your router closer to its use-point, whether that’s the home office where you’re attending Zoom meetings or the living room where you’re curled up with a mug of chamomile tea bingeing Dahmer.
Wi-Fi signals can get blocked by walls, closets, and furniture; nixing these physical impediments can speed up the Wi-Fi, leading to a happier, more productive day. Baby monitors and microwaves in particular can impede a Wi-Fi signal, so it’s best to position the router away from those appliances.
Switch the frequency band
On most routers, you can change the frequency band, which can sometimes speed up your connection. If your current frequency band, which will likely be either 2.4 GHz — the most used Wi-Fi connection — or 5 GHz, is having issues, give the other band a shot.
It will probably appear as a different network on your device but with the same network name. Jumping to a frequency band with less traffic can also improve the speed.
Install a signal booster
If you’re still lacking sweet internet speed, buy a signal booster. The device, which plugs into a wall socket and extends a wireless signal, can potentially address those dreaded dead zones where the signal is low or spotty. A couple of well-reviewed options include the TP-Link RE315 and the ASUS RP-AX56, which has a discreet, sleek look.
Prune connections
You clean up your closet, so why not your internet connections? If you have too many devices clamoring for your router’s attention, consider powering down a few of them so your connection is streamlined with the device most in need of fast Wi-Fi. Disconnect all unused devices, and only connect to Wi-Fi the devices that are essential.
Pruning works wonders in other areas of life — gardening, fashion, and friendship — so give it a shot with your Wi-Fi. As with purging those old concert T-shirts from the bottom drawer, you should see immediate results: a speedier Wi-Fi connection that leaves you feeling productive, zen, and capable.
Anne McCarthy is a freelance writer who splits her time between the U.S. and Europe. She has contributed to the BBC, The Guardian, Wired, Cosmopolitan, and Business Insider. Find her on Twitter @annemitchmcc.
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