We all hate that dreaded loading icon, don’t we? It just makes us want to go Hulk mode on our screens.
But, have a little mercy on your poor glass silicon sandwich. There are other ways to fix your WiFi woes. Not all WiFi issues are the same. Some arise from bad router location, whereas some can happen due to poor signal strength. Sometimes, the network service can be down. In that scenario, you can check with your internet provider for information on uninformed outages. For example, if you have Xfinity Internet, you can go to Xfinity Map; it gives up-to-date information about the outage cause and estimated time of restoration.
Anyway, let’s take a look at how you can diagnose and fix your WiFi problems.
Diagnose Wireless Connectivity Problems
Before we can get to the actual troubleshooting part, it’s important to identify the root cause of connectivity problems with your WiFi. Here are some things you can do to identify problems with your WiFi.
Most of the time, when you face problems with your internet, your internet is just slow for some reason. Problems can also happen with your internet if the signal strength is lower in some parts of your house compared to other areas.
The first thing you should do is perform a speed test. You can perform this test on any of your devices, whether it’s a PC, iOS, or Android. Make sure to disconnect any VPNs on your device.
We suggest doing the speed test from multiple locations in your house, especially ones that are farther away from your router.
If the internet speed you get in the speed test matches the one promised by the internet service provider (ISP), then there might be an issue with the WiFi signals. The signal strength can be tested on most Android devices and laptops.
For Windows, you can check the signal strength using the settings as well as the command prompt. For Android, you can use apps like WiFiman and NetSpot. Mac users can check it by clicking the WiFi icon, which can show details of your network.
Using the tools we mentioned, you can figure out if the signal strength is weak, the speeds are low, or maybe both. Now that you know exactly what’s wrong, we can now move on to fixing the problems.
Simple Fixes for Fixing WiFi Connectivity
Here are some of the things you can do to fix common issues with your WiFi router.
Clean and Restart Your Router
Think about this, how long has it been since you gave your router a proper cleaning? Exactly! Look at the poor thing, it’s clogged with dust, pet hair, and god knows what else.
Unplug your router and let it sit for a minute or two. To clean it, get an old toothbrush that can remove the dust, lint, and any pet hair from the vent opening at the back and sides of the router. You can also give it a thorough cleaning by using a can of compressed air to clean out any dust accumulated inside the router.
While you’re at it, why not clean it by wiping it down with a wet paper towel?
Once you’re done cleaning your WiFi router, let it sit for a few minutes before plugging it in. This should fix any potential problems with your router and prevent it from overheating due to dust accumulation or blockage.
Relocate Your WiFi Router
If the signal strength tests show various dead spots in your house, try moving it to a different location in your home. Most people tend to place their router in the corner of their house near a wall. This is generally the worst place for your router.
Your router has limited rand in all directions so it’s important to place it in the middle of the house where the signals can be distributed evenly.
If moving the router to a central location is impractical for you, try keeping it away from cabinets and other metal appliances like computers, ovens air conditioning units, and refrigerators. Also, try keeping your router away from any places that contain moisture.
Check Other Devices
A lot of times, the issue isn’t with your WiFi router but the device you’re using the WiFi on. Try using multiple devices and check to see if the WiFi performance is the same on all of them.
If your WiFi runs fine on other devices but is slow on one of them, then there’s a fair chance that your device is the main culprit. Try resetting the network settings of the device you’re having issues with. If nothing else works, you should try resetting the device.
For Windows, the WiFi driver can also be a culprit since outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers can cause issues.
Use a Wired Connection if You Can
When possible, it’s always a good idea to use a wired connection. Because it uses physical cables, it can be a more reliable way to connect your devices to the internet. The use of wires not only improves the internet reliability but also reduces the latency.
A wired connection also increases the security of a network since it makes it significantly harder to intercept signals. Using physical cables can be a little inconvenient since you will have to plug them into your laptop and PC.
However, if your PC is in a corner of your house where there are fewer WiFi signals, using an Ethernet wire for an internet connection can be much more cost-efficient than getting a WiFi extender(continue reading to learn about it)
Get a WiFi Extender
If none of the other solutions work and you’re unable to get WiFi signals in the outskirts of your house, even after moving your router, the best option is to go for a WiFi extender.
These extenders often have different names like WiFi Boosters and Range Extenders. However, their functionality is typically the same. They repeat the signals from your router to expand the total WiFi coverage.
Extenders can help fix slow WiFi in some areas of your house, especially if you have a large house. Using them can also allow you to have WiFi in parts of your house where you wouldn’t generally be able to have good WiFi, such as the garage, backyard, attic, or basement.
Advanced Fixes for Persistent WiFi Problems
While most problems can be fixed with a simple refresh of your router, some modern problems require modern solutions. Let’s take a look at how you can fix persistent problems.
Choose the Right Frequency Band
For general home WiFi, there are three types of frequency bands. These are:
- 2.4 GHz: This provides the longest range, but it transfers data at slow speeds.
- 5 GHz: This provides less coverage compared to 2.4 GHz but transfers data at a faster rate.
- 6 GHz: This provides the least coverage but transfers data the fastest.
The 2.4 GHz band is the oldest standard and is supported by most WiFi-enabled devices. However, most modern devices support 5 GHz, which means you can get better internet speeds especially if you stream high-definition movies, play multiplayer games, or use video conferencing apps like Skype or Teams.
Your router’s capability depends on the make and model of it. To switch the frequency, head over to your router’s settings. This is usually done by entering the router’s address into the web browser. You can find the address of your router from its manual or on the sticker at the back of your router.
Routers that support WiFi 6E have the 6 GHz band as well as the other two. However, these have only just started to become popular and this frequency isn’t generally recommended for larger spaces.
Make Your Network Secure
Small vulnerabilities in your network can cause a lot of problems for you. It’s always a good idea to make your WiFi network as secure as you can.
The first thing to do is to change the name of your WiFi network. When your router broadcasts the router’s name and manufacturer, it makes it easy for potential hackers to gain access. While they often have a pre-set password, it can be easy to guess. Try making the password more than ten characters which includes letters, numbers, and symbols.
Newer routers also allow you to turn on encryption which helps you secure your network. We recommend using either WPA2 or WPA3 protocols. Another way to ensure your WiFi network is secure is to make sure your router’s software is always up to date.
When All Else Fails
If all else fails, there are other ways to fix any issues with your WiFi. The customer support of your ISP is always there to help you out with your problems.
Simply dial up their customer service number to talk to an agent, who will help you solve your WiFi woes. If nothing works, one of their support team members should come over to look at the problem.
While the problems and the fixes we mentioned above should work for most WiFi issues, there is a fair chance that there’s a bigger underlying problem with your network. This is why going to customer support as a last resort is almost always a great idea.
