Change your router settings and boost your Wi-Fi

Changing some of your router settings can greatly improve Wi-Fi performance. You have to log in to the “admin console,” which is easier than it sounds. You can access the admin console by t yping a series of numbers, called an IP address, into your internet browser. The default IP address of most routers is usually 192.168.1.1. It’s typically printed on a label on the router or found in the user manual along with the default username and password.

1. Avoid congested

Wi-Fi channels

Cordless phones, baby monitors, smart devices and even microwave ovens all operate on the 2.4-GHz frequency band. Even your neighbor’s wireless network can add to the confusion. But the way to improve performance is to log in to your router and change the channel. Each frequency band has multiple channels to choose from, and the Wi-Fi analyzer app has a function that helps determine what channels are congested.

2. Set priorities

Most modern routers have Quality of Service (QoS) tools to limit the amount of bandwidth that apps use. After logging in to your router’s admin console, you can prioritize which apps and devices get the highest speed. This can free up bandwidth.

3. Don’t skimp on security

Don’t let anyone piggyback on your Wi-Fi, or worse yet, gain access to your computers! If your firewall is turned off or you are not using encryption, anybody within range can access your Wi-Fi network. Log in to your router’s admin console and make sure the firewall is turned on. Also, double-check that your router’s encryption mode is set to WPA2-AES. Older encryption modes like WEP can be easily hacked.

4. Upgrade your router firmware

Log in to your router’s admin console and look for a software update button. Just like the operating system on your home computer or smartphones, a router’s firmware needs to be updated occasionally to fix bugs or provide security updates.