10 Ways to Improve Your Wi-Fi Router Speed

Too slow of an internet connection? Your home Wi-Fi network could benefit greatly from these small router adjustments.

Your internet connection speed can significantly increase with a good router. What other options are available to you if you lack the funds to purchase a top-of-the-line model?

If you want to learn how to set up the best router setup for faster internet or how to optimize router settings for speed, continue reading.

1. Make a Reboot Schedule Automatic

Most modern routers don't require routine rebooting. However, as most people are aware, restarting your router is frequently all that is necessary to bring you back online if you have ever experienced a dead internet connection.

However, the DD-WRT and Tomato firmware alternatives both provide delayed reboot settings if you find yourself having to restart the router frequently. You won't even notice the downtime while the router turns off and on if you set it to reboot once a day while you're asleep.

2. Upgrade your antenna to speed up your router.

Investing in a new antenna is a quick and easy approach to speed up a router.

Most routers made for consumers have terrible antennas. Without the need for a new device, signal quality can be easily improved (and speed increased) using an amplified aftermarket antenna. Powered and amplified aftermarket solutions range in price from about $15 to the mid-$100s.

Plug-in range extenders cost a little more, but they combine the functions of a powered antenna and a wireless repeater. Homes with dead zones or signal deterioration can benefit greatly from them, but results may vary.

Before purchasing a large antenna, however, be sure to research local wireless broadcast regulations. It's against the law in some places to boost your Wi-Fi signal.

3. Turn off legacy wireless protocols

How can router settings be made faster? Turning off outdated wireless protocols is one of your first options.

Newer routers that use the 802.11ax standard have capabilities much beyond those of many ISPs. Even while the router may be quick, many of your devices are probably still using antiquated protocols, like 802.11b, which causes the network to sluggishly slow down as soon as this device connects. Ideally, you have to take out any equipment that is utilising the b or g protocols.

Ax > ac > n > g > b are the fastest protocols, from fastest to slowest. To learn how to do this, refer to your router's documentation.

4. Modify Channel Width

What about the ideal router configurations to increase network speed locally? For instance, what are some quick ways to transmit video between your devices?

Changes to the channel width are frequently necessary for the best router configuration for local speed. The bigger the width, the more interference will be experienced by older devices using older protocols.

5. Continue to Update Your Router

Making sure your router is constantly using the most recent software and firmware from the manufacturer is one of the most underutilized ways to increase router speed.

Yes, the updates typically fix security issues, but your router won't become blazingly fast overnight. But every little improvement counts. If you haven't updated in some time, you might see a greater bump than you anticipated.

6. Test Different Router Locations

Finding the ideal router settings for fast internet requires more than just that. Additionally, think about where in your house you want to put your router.

Subtle changes can frequently make a huge effect because the router competes with every other 2.4GHz and/or 5GHz device in your vicinity. Additionally, the wireless signal may be hampered by the materials used to create your home. For instance, it is infamously difficult for a Wi-Fi connection to pass through solid concrete walls.

7. Improve the Channel Settings on Your Router

Let's revisit the topic of configuring a router to make it faster.

Have you given the router's channel any thought? Numerous free tools are available to search your local airwaves for the channels with the least amount of interference. They will then recommend a channel for you to change to.

The channel must be modified in the router's settings. Once more, consult the manual or online help section for your device to learn how to proceed.

8. Change to a Different Band on the Router

The average home is filled with wireless technology. Fortunately, you will be able to separate them using a dual- or tri-band router to increase speeds.

Simply put, you're creating an additional network traffic lane. Two (or three) lanes are preferable for everyone concerned even though a one-lane road will get you there.

Instead of all your devices fighting for a spot in the 2.4GHz band, you may assign them to the additional (and often less congested) 5GHz band if your network has two bands.

9. Modify the network username and password.

Many otherwise tech-savvy people still access their routers using the default login and password. With non-default passwords, even intermediate hackers can breach relatively secure networks.

A secure Wi-Fi password should be used as well. Even if you do a great job of separating your devices into different bands, updating your firmware, and changing channels when there is a lot of traffic, it is pointless if your neighbors are constantly using your Wi-Fi to download movies.

10. Update the Firmware

In order to prevent mistakes, many routers keep their settings as simple as possible. While most users will find this to be fantastic, there are times when you just want to go in and tinker with the settings until you have a router that performs far better than its price.

For some of the most well-known routers, there are a number of open-source firmware solutions. There are plenty of fantastic possibilities, even though not every router is supported. Almost any router brand may be made to function faster with their assistance, whether it's a Netgear router or a TP-Link router.

Some of the most well-known third-party firmware manufacturers are DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and Tomato.

Remember that if you continue to use the hardware provided by your ISP, installing new firmware is not an option. One of the reasons a store-bought router should be used instead of your ISP's router is because of this.

Improve the Speed of Your Router Settings

It is hoped that the information in this post has helped you increase your router's speed and choose the ideal setup for quicker internet.

Some of the methods can appear to be a bit difficult, but if you take the time to learn and comprehend the modifications that are at your disposal, you can speed up your router in a matter of minutes.