If you’ve been using an old router or a modem your ISP gave to you, then chances are that your internet could be faster.
The good news is that you won’t have to spend a lot to get a stronger signal and better consistency in speed. In some cases it’s free and doesn’t take over 5 minutes of your time.
Check out these 5 tips to improve your internet speed.
Add a Password
Your neighbors, passers-by and other people are most likely taking advantage of free internet, and you may not even know it.
See if your wi-fi connection has a password. If not, add one by going to the router settings and under ‘security’.
Afterwards, reboot your router and the bandwidth leeches should go away.
Change Your Wi-Fi Channel
As long as you’re in your router settings you might as well get a better channel for less congestion.
For those who have a dual bandwidth device, try switching to or adding a 5GHz channel, which is more stable. The only downside is that you have to be nearer but it works in small spaces and rooms.
Do a Manual Reset
It’s free, cheap and bound to work. Resetting your modem and router works 99 percent of the time and lets you experience optimal internet speeds.
Do this every time you feel the internet could be faster. When web pages load slowly, video buffers and game lags, you can stop and take a break then proceed to do a manual reset.
Unplug both modem and router from the wall socket to power them off. Wait for a minute, then plug them back in. This re-establishes a connection with ISP and brings you up to speed.
Relocate Your Router
Your router could be in a congested area and trying its best to send a signal, but can’t. Check and see if it’s surrounded by obstructions, such as thick walls, stairs or electronics. If it is, then you’ll want to move it to a better position.
The best spot for a router is one that’s elevated and has no dense objects around it. Put it atop a table instead of the floor and you’ll see a noticeable jump in connection strength.
Shop Around
Tired of your internet constantly slowing down, or the service simply won’t do? It could be time to shop around for better ISPs.
Find the source of why your internet is slow, e.g., constant downtime, slow during peak hours, non-existent customer service and check the internet for companies that have that as their strength.
There’s a way to check up on Metronet customer service if you’re interested in signing up. Also, you can read online reviews to see which ISP is the best in your area. Then visit the main website and see if there are any offers or promos for new customers.
These are just some of the things you can do to improve your internet and make it work for you. Also consider if the speed is too low for your needs- do you now do video conferences and stream 4K when you didn’t before? Your current speed may not be up to the task.
