Last Updated on July 10, 2024 by Adams
Can Wireless Router Cause Slow Internet?
Is Your Wireless Router Causing Slow Internet? Many people believe that their slow internet speeds are caused by the Internet Service Provider, but in most cases it’s their wireless router causing the issue and not the ISP.
A wireless router is basically the middleman between your computer and the internet, and there are many factors that can make your internet slower because of this device.
Check your ISP:
If you think your router is slow, first check with your ISP. Most ISPs have tiers of service, so if you’re on a lower tier they might throttle your connection to save bandwidth.
If that’s not it, try toggling Mixed Mode (on most routers) and see if that speeds things up for you.
Mixed mode is when both 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks are broadcast from one network name (SSID), so all wireless devices can connect to either signal band—useful for households with older/cheaper equipment and newer/more expensive gear.
If these solutions don’t fix it, then maybe you do need a new router after all! It’s best to find out before buying anything; read on for some tips on how!
Watch what you download:
Whether you’re streaming movies, uploading photos or sharing big files with friends and family, download speed has a direct impact on your Internet experience. While there are plenty of different reasons for slow connections—so many that it can be tough to figure out what’s causing them—it might just be time to upgrade your wireless router.
These little devices may look harmless, but if they haven’t been set up correctly or are running old firmware, they can bring down your entire network connection, as a result you main face bad internet experience.
Distance from the source:
The closer you are to your wireless router, or modem if you don’t have one, the faster your internet will be. That’s because it’s transmitting data at a lower voltage than when it’s farther away.
So if you’re experiencing slowdowns in your home network connection, try moving your router to an area that is closer to where you spend most of your time and stream most of your content. If that doesn’t help, consider upgrading your modem.
Most ISPs offer high-speed connections with a standard cable-based modem; however, there are also power line alternatives for those who want fast internet without having unsightly wires running through their home or office space.
Look for dead spots:
Wireless signals degrade over distance, so it’s important to have your router and computer as close together as possible. If you are using a desktop, try unplugging it and walking around your house with a notebook.
As you walk around, count how many bars of signal strength your wireless adapter displays.
You can try moving furniture or adding an extension cord to move your laptop closer to where you want to use it. If none of these ideas work for you, then consider buying a repeater.
Use a wired connection:
Before you go out and get a new wireless router, take a look at your current setup. You might already have a decent enough wireless connection—if your computer is connected by an Ethernet cable (not Wi-Fi), you could be getting better speeds than you would over Wi-Fi.
If that’s not possible, try switching to a wired Ethernet connection on both ends if possible.
This can potentially increase your internet speed. And remember: A wired connection will always be faster than a wireless one—so if you’re trying to stream video or download music, give it a shot with an Ethernet cord before assuming you need to upgrade your equipment.
Upgrade your hardware:
Before you even think about software, try replacing your router to get better speeds. The average internet speed in America is 11.3 mbps, but that speed can fluctuate based on a number of factors—and one of those is your wireless router (provided by your ISP).
One recent survey suggests that almost half of Americans haven’t changed their wireless router’s default password, making it an easy target for hackers and people who just want to snoop around.
Simply changing that password to something unique can help improve speeds as well as limit prying eyes from viewing any private information.
Just make sure you know what speed you’re signing up for with your ISP before buying a new one or else you could be purchasing a very expensive paperweight.
Conclusion:
There are many other components that can slow down your home network, but with a little troubleshooting, you should be able to find and eliminate them. If you’re still having trouble with a slow home network, go ahead and give a call to your local ISP.
Our Recommendations:
The TP-Link AX5400 and Archer AX11000 are currently one of the top wireless routers on the market due to their high efficiency and exceptional performance.
The best aspect is that they work with any Internet Service Provider, so they won’t let you down no matter where you live.
The second feature that distinguishes these routers is their simple configuration, which is both simple and user-friendly.
You also get other cool features like Smart Parental Controls, which allows you to simply pause or schedule device internet access, examine site history usage, filter websites, establish online time limits, and more with these routers.
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