Wireless networks have without a doubt revolutionized how we do business, communicate, and in general, live our lives. Cutting the cord gives us the ability to be in constant contact with each other, no matter where we are. The ubiquity of WiFi leads us to take it for granted, so when your wireless network goes down, it causes major problems.
More often than not, problems with your wireless network can be traced back to your wireless router — you know, that little blinking box by your modem that when it quits blinking, no more Internet. Your router is responsible for sending out the signal your devices connect to, yet in a lot of homes the router is one of the more unreliable pieces of technology in the home.
Here are a few tips in understanding and dealing with wireless router problems that happen at home.
- You get what you pay for. When it comes to wireless routers, price does matter. Buying the cheapest wireless router probably isn’t the best way to go. That doesn’t mean you should buy the most expensive, either. If you aren’t running a business from home and just need the Internet for surfing and watching Netflix and Hulu, then a $250 router isn’t necessary. Find something in the middle. Do your own research; look at what customers are saying at Amazon and what the pros are saying at Cnet. Remember that your router is an essential piece of hardware in your home, and you want to make sure you get the best performing one for the price.
- The old fashioned reboot. If your wireless is usually working and suddenly isn’t anymore, try resetting it (there’s a reset button on the back) or simply unplugging it and plugging it back in. It should reset itself and you’ll be back online in no time. If you constantly have to reset your router, it might be time to upgrade.
- Try a different location for your router. Sticking your router in the corner of your house, hidden from view, is fine for the aesthetics of your home, but it can reduce the connectivity of your router. Try to place your router in the center of your house, as high up as possible for a better range of connectivity.
- Check for interference. Cordless phones and microwaves can cause wireless interference. If you think your microwave or home phone might be causing problems with your wireless network, unplug the microwave or move your router to see if the connection improves.
- Add a more powerful antenna. The built-in antenna on most routers isn’t very good, so if your router allows you to, attach a more powerful antenna to your router. Manipulating the direction of the antenna can help boost the range of your wireless network.
- Find the least used wireless channel. There are 11 different wireless channels your router can use, and if your router is on a crowded channel, your speed and connectivity can suffer. Six is the most used channel, so if your router allows it, change to a different channel. To figure out which channel to use, there is a program called InSSIDer that can help you.
These troubleshooting tips are the easiest solutions to the most common problems you’ll encounter with your wireless router. A lot of these solutions don’t require any kind of monetary investment, just a little trial and error. Is your Internet slow upstairs? Experiment with a different placement of your router.
What are some other ways to improve your Internet speed and connectivity in your home?
Norman Fong is The Chief and Co-Founder of www.buyvia.com, an online, Android and iOS App smart shopping service that uncovers great deals on popular products. BuyVia makes it easy for consumers to get price alerts from both online and local retailers for best cheap laptops and other popular products on sale.
1 Flares Twitter 1 "> Facebook 0 Google+ 0 "> LinkedIn 0 "> StumbleUpon 0 "> Filament.io Made with Flare More Info"> 1 Flares ×- Bio
- Latest Posts
Guest
Guest posts from various insightful people and companies. Want to feature on TechDrink? Get in touch.
Latest posts by Guest (see all)
- 6 Tips To Troubleshoot Your Wireless Router - October 16, 2013
- Qnary for Your Reputation - September 23, 2013
- Don’t Let Unsecured Wi-Fi Leave You High and Dry - September 12, 2013
