TECH SUPPORT BOOST YOUR WIFI

Wireless signal not up to scratch? These hints and tips can help you get the most from your home Wifi

Whether your Wifi signal has been notoriously sketchy or if it feels like it’s buckling under the strain of all the new devices that Santa brought you, read on. As well as products that you can add to your home to boost your signal, there are a number of simple fixes that you can make to give your Wifi signal less interference and smooth its path to success.

CHECK YOUR SERVICE

Start by finding out if you’re actually getting the service you’re paying for by running a speed test. You can find these easily by searching for ‘broadband speed test’ online. If your speeds are coming in below what you pay for, then contact your provider and ask them to check the line. If they continue to run below your guaranteed minimum for three days running, your provider is duty bound to fix the issue within 30 days.

ROUTER LOCATION IS KEY

Let’s face it, routers aren’t the kind of tech you’d willingly choose to have on show, but it pays to let the device breathe, keeping it out and clear of anything that may hinder its reach. Height helps too, so placing it up on a cabinet or sideboard is best, rather than underneath it. Other materials, such as thick concrete walls, ceramic tiles, mirrors and anything at all metallic – in particular radiators – tend to interfere with a wireless signal.

PLUG IT IN

The simple action of plugging as many devices as possible into your router using ethernet cables will dramatically improve the efficiency of your

Wifi signal. Static devices, such as TVS, games consoles and set-top boxes all take ethernet cables; plugging them in to the router will reduce demand on the wireless signal, improving the performance for your wireless tech, such as smartphones and tablets.

ELIMINATE ANY INTERFERENCE

As well as having to do battle with physical barriers, older routers can fall foul of added interference from a variety of other household tech equipment. Cordless phones, wireless mice, baby monitors and even microwaves all have the tendency to mess with signal strength. It’s also worth checking with your provider to see if you’re using the latest router, too – the older the device, the more likely it is to suffer from external interference.

INVEST IN A MESH SYSTEM

Devices that extend and boost your Wifi signal have been around for several years, but depending on how much help your signal needs, some do the job far better than others. Extender plugs will set you back from as little as £30 and will give your signal a healthy boost. But for larger properties or for guaranteed full home coverage, you can’t beat a mesh system. With one main router and several satellite hubs placed in various areas around your home, mesh systems provide you with a strong, reliable Wifi network in every room. They’re not cheap though, with prices starting from around £90 right up to £900, but they do work with all internet service providers.

As with most tech issues, try the ‘switch it off and on again’ trick first. A reboot is often all your router needs; regular rebooting can improve performance