How Can I Speed Up My Internet Connection?
A slow internet connection can be incredibly inconvenient when you’re working from home. It prevents you from collaborating with colleagues, using web applications, answering emails or completing other important tasks you need to get done throughout the day. Luckily, there are easy things you can do to boost your internet speed. Many of them involve small and easy changes you may not have already tried, mostly having to do with your internet router.
Most of these methods cost nothing, but we’ve also included some ideas that will cost some money in case all else fails.
To boost your internet connection, here’s what you can do.
Fix Your Router
If you’re looking for a DIY fix for your internet, you’ll have to start with the router. It’s the device that determines how fast your internet performs. There are some easy things you can try that might help boost your router’s productivity and hopefully speed up your connection in the process.
1. Move Your Router
If your router is crammed in a corner somewhere along with a mess of wires, you might want to rethink its location. The location could be too far from your workspace, which could be slowing down your speed.
To fix this, find a new spot to place your router. Move it to the center of your home or wherever you spend most of your time on the internet. This will better allow your router to give you decent internet connection wherever you are at home.
2. Check The Router For Updates
For the most part, routers are low maintenance. They don’t require many adjustments and are something you can keep for years before needing a replacement. But to maintain your current router’s effectiveness, it might require a software update every so often.
Manufacturers give their existing routers software updates. This can improve its performance with general bug fixes or updates to keep it working efficiently. The steps will vary depending on the brand, so read the instructions that came with your device to find out how you can do this.
3. Grab Some Aluminum Foil
A surprising low-tech hack you can try to speed up your internet is with something you likely have sitting in your kitchen — tin foil. A Dartmouth professor and team of researchers discovered that wrapping foil around your router’s antennas could help direct signals where it’s needed.
By doing this, you’ll be strengthening the signals in one direction. Look up a quick YouTube tutorial and see for yourself if this can help your internet speed.
4. Buy A New Router
If these hacks don’t work, it might be time to buy a new router. An updated and modern device could be a simple fix to your internet connection. The average cost for an entry level router is between $60 to $100.
Buy A Wifi Extender
A wifi extender is a relatively affordable accessory you can buy to help your wifi speed up. This device connects remotely to your router and can be placed anywhere in your house. It works by extending the wireless network wherever the signal may be low.
If you’re unable to move your router, this is a good alternative. You can place the extender in your home office or anywhere you prefer the wifi to be stronger. If a distant router is causing your internet to lag, an extender could help speed up your internet.
Wifi extenders are sold at Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart and other similar retailers.
Upgrade Your Provider
If all else fails, it might be time for you to upgrade your internet service. You can try to snag a better package with your existing provider or venture off with a new company.
With an increasing number of people working from home, companies are beginning to cater towards this demographic. This means you might be able to find some special offers that can give you a better internet speed at a reduced cost.
Compare different companies to see what internet packages they offer. For example, AT&T is offering internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps for $39.99 monthly. This is the same price as their basic internet package with a speed of only 5 Mbps, which is significantly slower.
Windstream is also offering packages starting at $19.99 monthly for high speed internet. Look at other companies in your area to see what they’re offering, too.
To make shopping for a new internet provider easier, test your current internet speed with a free internet speed test you can find online. This will help you compare various packages and see if the offer will be an improvement from your current situation.
Ultimately, you might find that the payoff of spending more on your internet is worth the ease it will bring you while working from home.
Compare Providers Before Settling On A Package
When you’re working from home, it’s worth figuring out how to speed up your internet speed. You’ll be able to work more productively with an efficient internet and the solution could be easier than you think.
Give the various router hacks mentioned here a try before calling your provider for an upgrade. You might find that one simple change will make a good enough difference for you to effectively work from home. You can also consider buying a wifi extender to solve the issue. A one-time purchase of this device will ultimately be cheaper than paying more for your internet service.
If all else fails and you decide it’s time to upgrade your internet provider, then make sure to compare various packages and companies before settling on a service. Look at prices within your current provider and take a look at three to four potential competitors for affordable welcome packages.