The 3 Most Common WiFi Problems (and how to fix them!)

These days, having fast and reliable WiFi connectivity at home has become a necessity, and not just for leisure too. From collaborating on projects and sharing family photos to ordering lunch, we rely on the Internet for countless different purposes and then some.

Which is exactly why having slow, laggy or inconsistent network connectivity is such a pain.

Fortunately, there are numerous solutions available for these problems. In this article, we’ve compiled some of the more common network issues you might encounter, why they happen, and more importantly, a number of easy fixes for each of them.

1. Slow or Laggy Connections

Slow connections certainly make your online experience anything but enjoyable, especially if you’re in the middle of a work presentation or a new upload from your favourite YouTube channel. Fortunately, addressing this issue is usually very straightforward.

• Move closer to the router. Distance is a key factor when it comes to WiFi signals, and in many cases, you might be experiencing a slow connection because your WiFi router’s signal isn’t strong enough to reach you. Try moving closer to the router or placing the router in an unobstructed area to strengthen the signal.
  
  
• Restart the router and modem. Sometimes, the classic “off and on” fix is all that’s required to correct slow speeds. Try unplugging the modem and router and holding down the reset buttons for 10 seconds. This refreshes the connection and may work as a temporary fix.
  
  
• Upgrade your router. WiFi technology and standards have come a long way over the last few years. WiFi 6, developed in 2019, provides better coverage, faster speeds, and less lag than its predecessor, WiFi 5 — which has been around since 2009. Accordingly, upgrading to a WiFi 6 router will significantly increase the speed and reliability of your network.

2. Inconsistent Coverage

Understandably, it can be frustrating to see connection speeds fluctuate as you move around the house. But fret not – it’s very common. So, if you find your network connections acting up at certain parts of your home, the following fixes might help to address the problem.

• Reposition or elevate the router. Once again, your router’s location might be what’s causing the choppy coverage. To solve this, find a more central location in your home for the router to ensure it has a better chance of reaching your devices, while also avoiding large appliances or solid walls. Placing the router at a higher point — on top of a tall bookshelf, for instance — could also help improve coverage.
  
  
• Check the position of the antenna. If your current router has external antennas, try adjusting or rotating your router’s external antenna to achieve maximum coverage and get a better signal.
  
  
• Consider using Mesh WiFi. Mesh WiFi systems, like the Linksys Smart WiFi Pro are easy to customise and provide better coverage than a single router. By making use of Intelligent Mesh^TM technology, it joins multiple WiFi nodes together to form a seamless “mesh” that blankets your home or office, ensuring strong and consistent coverage. Notably, Mesh WiFi is particularly effective at eliminating “dead spots” too – that is, areas with little or no connectivity, which are common in larger homes.

3. Network Congestion

Another common issue you might face is network congestion. When many devices attempt to use the network simultaneously, connection speeds suffer because each device is competing for access to bandwidth.

• Disconnect unused devices. Inactive or unused devices could still be trying to connect to the network, using up bandwidth.

• Specify device priority. By adjusting the Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router, you can delegate more bandwidth to your preferred devices. If you own a Linksys router, you can access this feature — called Device Prioritization — through the associated Linksys App.
  
  
• Let your router automatically choose the least-congested channel. Adjust your settings to allow your router to automatically scan for and select the least-congested WiFi channels. This ensures your router is always utilizing the most viable option.
  
  
• Boost your bandwidth. If all else fails, you can consider increasing your WiFi capability by upgrading your broadband plan — especially if you own multiple devices that require a great deal of bandwidth. 

Common WiFi issues like these often have easy fixes with a few simple steps, and if they work for you, that’s great - you’ll be able to continue streaming, gaming, and working seamlessly.

However, if the problems persist, it might be time to consider other alternatives, such as upgrading to a WiFi 6 router, or picking up a beefier broadband subscription, like StarHub’s 2Gbps or UltraSpeed 10Gbps plans.

This blog article was brought to you in partnership with Linksys.