10 tips to improve the Wi-Fi range in your home

Are you finding your Wi-Fi a little M.I.A lately?

One second, it’s there for you, like a reliable old pal. The next, after a swift visit to the living room, it’s gone?

Your relationship with your Wi-Fi is one you want to be able to count on! When you have Wi-Fi woes, your internet service provider (us!) will usually run through some steps with you to try and pinpoint what’s causing the issue.

However, there’s nothing like having a few Wi-Fi optimisation tips up your sleeve to make you look like a true tech guru next time your roommate can’t get a connection in the upstairs TV room.

Welcome to your technical support training!

1. Scope out your modem

Meet one of the most vital pieces of the Wi-Fi puzzle: the humble modem.

The quality of your modem will impact how you’re able to wirelessly surf the web, so make sure your current modem is up to the task. If there are cobwebs lining the connection points, or your mate has admitted to spilling a bev or two nearby, it might be time to upgrade.

Not sure if your modem is up to scratch? Belong’s fresh new modems are. Sign up!

2. Reboot your modem

“Have you tried turning it off and then on again?”.

Ah, yes, that ol’ chestnut.

Tried, tested, and true, the humble reboot rarely lets us down. It might not solve all your problems, but a restart is an easy way to refresh your connection and get things back on track if they’ve been a little bumpy.

Most modems have a reset button or pinprick you can hold down to reset and start all over.

3. Location, location, location!

Nobody puts baby in a corner!

The same goes for your modem — it’s the broadcast point of your Wi-Fi network, so it’s important to make sure that its location is as prime as possible. The further away the modem is from your devices, the weaker the signal can become.

Putting the modem in your cupboard or basement (or *corner*) might make for an ace interior design choice, but it’s probably at the cost of the connection quality.

Repositioning your modem to the most central location possible in your home is gold for the signal strength. Bonus points if the modem has a direct line of sight to the devices linked.

4. Check your modem’s firmware

Just like your mobile phone, your modem requires software updates from time to time to help it fix bugs and run faster. This software is called firmware.

Most new modems will update their firmware automatically, but you can also use a search engine to look for your modem model number and see if you have the latest update installed.

Check with your ISP if you think your modem’s firmware might need an update.

5. Run a speed test

Running a speed test can help the support team with identifying a speed issue.

By directly connecting a laptop or computer using an ethernet cable and running a speed test, you can help pinpoint if your lack of Wi-Fi is related to your modem.

6. Remove interference

A lot of things in your home can affect your Wi-Fi by absorbing its strength.

Dense objects, bodies of water, and other wireless devices can all interfere with your modem’s signal. Think: fridges, televisions, brick walls, baby monitors, microwaves, and fish tanks (your goldfish doesn’t need to surf the web).

Where possible, remove any of these objects from near your modem so that your connection isn’t hindered.

7. Switch up the frequency

Two of the most common Wi-Fi frequencies are 2.4GHz and 5GHz. If your modem is ‘dual-band’, it means that it should be able to access both of these frequenices, each of which acts a little differently.

The 2.4GHz frequency is an all-rounders choice as its strength can pass through most walls and offers an extensive range. 5GHz is more accessible and can offer a much faster connection to a device, but isn’t as effective over distance.

If you’re with Belong, you can easily switch to a new frequency by selecting another Belong Wi-Fi network name from your device’s Wi-Fi settings.

8. Change the channel

If you’re close by to other network signals, your Wi-Fi can become overwhelmed or hindered. Usually, your modem will scan all the radio waves and adjust its settings automatically to get away from the chaos.

You might also find that you are not alone on your Wi-Fi’s channel and a few devices are crashing your party. You can manually optimise your Wi-Fi by changing the wireless channel where your connection is currently sitting to another one with less interference.

If you’re a Belong customer, you can do this by logging into the Belong Gateway. Once you’re in, you can choose to scan the wireless environment for new channels available. It depends on the model of your modem, so be sure to check further instructions here.

9. Secure your Wi-Fi

If you’ve suddenly started experiencing a decrease in your internet, be sure to check how many devices are linked up to your Wi-Fi.

As more devices are connected, your speeds can be impacted, regardless of the quality of your connection. Devices downloading large files, streaming, or gaming are the data-hungry ones to look out for. Disconnect those devices which you aren’t using.

You can also keep your Wi-Fi away from unwanted pesky guests by changing your password frequently and checking who’s using your network. If you’re with Belong, you can check this here.

10. Extend the signal all over

As a wireless signal travels throughout your home, through walls and across floors, the signal gets weaker.

Unless you’re up for some serious home reno, you can’t really change the structure of the building to enhance your Wi-Fi. If you’re struggling to get a connection far away from your modem, it might be time to consider a range extender.

A range extender or Wi-Fi booster acts like a bridge between the Wi-Fi modem, allowing you to connect across a larger distance. They’re a handy purchase to help resurrect those pesky Wi-Fi-less corners of your home. You can get them from most electronic or computer stores.

Conclusion

Now you’ve got a few tips up your sleeve for the next time your Wi-Fi seems out of reach! For more information on troubleshooting and other enquiries, you can access our online support articles or get in touch.

All information published in this article is provided for general education and information only, and isn’t intended to replace expert advice from a registered professional. While all information is published with due care and diligence, content remains subject to further research and may reflect differing matters of opinion. Belong does not accept any liability for any error or omission, injury, expense, loss or damage incurred by any person as a result of using this website or relying on any information published on this website.