In this period when we all spend a lot of time at home, a quality Wi-Fi network is essential. Unfortunately, it sometimes happens that your internet network experiences malfunctions or slowness. If this is your case, we invite you to try these 10 tips to improve the quality of your network and avoid nervous breakdowns!
For almost a year now, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced us to spend a lot of time at home. While many of us work from home, it's essential to take regular breaks, whether that's watching the latest on Netflix and Disney +, or enjoying the latest free games from the Epic Games Store. All this requires a good Wi-Fi network, in order to avoid any inconvenience during a Zoom meeting or during a vision call with friends. If your connection leaves something to be desired, don't panic: many solutions exist to help you solve the problem.
Summary
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- Take care of your internet box
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name="move-your-internet-box-to-the-center-of-your-home">Move your internet box to the center of your home
You might be tempted to hide your box behind a TV, in a piece of furniture or in a storage room in order to save space and not spoil your interior decoration. Be aware, however, that the ideal place to place an internet box is in the center of your home, so that its network spreads as well as possible in all the rooms. It is also advisable to move the modem closer to your devices, or where you normally use your terminals, to maximize its reach.
name="restart-your-internet-modem">Restart your internet modem
This trick seems obvious and yet some users completely neglect the idea of a good old restart of their internet box. In the event of a faulty Wi-Fi network, always remember to turn your modem off then on again. In many situations, this simple maneuver can revive your internet connection in better condition.
name="check-all-the-parameters-of-your-internet-box">Check all the parameters of your Internet box
Before you start to panic and consider drastic solutions, think about check your modem connection settings. These can obviously be viewed on the management web page of your box provided by your access provider. In the Wi-Fi section, check that each box - status, terminal activation, SSID broadcast - is checked. In addition, it may be useful to disable automatic network search on your computer, since only your box is concerned. This will limit the bandwidth used and thus you gain speed.
name="limit-the-bandwidth-of-certain-applications">Limit the bandwidth of certain applications
You can maximize the capabilities of your network by distributing most of your Wi-Fi power to the applications that need it most. You can therefore limit the power of the available bandwidth and reserve your best speed on your computer or smartphone while downloading a game from the PlayStation Store will temporarily have to be content with a lower speed. In short, it is a question of doing according to your needs at the time. On Windows, software like NetLimiter will do the job largely.
name="treat-yourself-to-a-wi-fi-repeater-amplifier-">Treat yourself to a Wi-Fi repeater (amplifier)
If the area your Wi-Fi network needs to cover is particularly dense, you would be well advised to invest in a Wi-Fi repeater. These devices will, as their name suggests, extend network coverage and get you to the ends of your house. Practical, if you want to surf at the back of your garden or in the back of your cellar. And if you're on your smartphone, you can also switch to your mobile connection.
Good news, a Wi-Fi amplifier is not too expensive: its price varies between 15 and 100 euros, for the most powerful models. By putting around fifty euros in its purchase, you can effectively improve your network. We recommend that you opt for a model with two or even three antennas in order to obtain better network coverage. In the same vein, you could also consider the purchase of Google Wi-Fi, of which you can discover our full test. If, however, you prefer to save money, be aware that researchers at Darmouth College in the United States have found that aluminum has a similar effect to amplifiers. Cover a piece of foil cardboard, place it behind your modem, and you're done.
name="choose-the-best-network-5-ghz-or-2-4-ghz">Choose the best network: 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz
On the new internet boxes, you have access to two Wi-Fi networks: one at 5 GHz and another at 2.4 GHz. The 5 GHz network avoids a lot of interference with other electronic devices and benefits from a higher speed. Be aware, however, that this one benefits from a much shorter range than 2.4 GHz. It is therefore more useful to use it when you are close to your internet box.
name="make-sure-you-are-alone-on-your-network">Make sure you are alone on your network
If you live in town or in a busy neighborhood, you must secure your network with a password. This will reduce the chances of your internet connection being stolen by profiteers. Once you are finally alone on your network, you should notice an improvement in it. Via the connection portal of your modem and your account with your operator, you can also obtain the list of devices currently online on your Wi-Fi network. Some hackers have been able to steal your password. It is therefore important to check whether there is any unwanted presence on the network.
name="change-the-channel-of-your-wi-fi-network">Change the channel of your Wi-Fi network
Each Wi-Fi network occupies a particular frequency band. This band can already be occupied by other electronic devices such as a microwave oven, your neighbors' box, a baby monitor, etc. Under these conditions, you could therefore improve the quality of your network by changing the channel by modifying it in the configuration and your modem settings. Each operator has a particular process, but this manipulation is generally quite simple.
name="cut-the-wi-fi-of-some-of-your-devices">Cut the Wi-Fi of some of your devices
Many people leave their tablets or smartphones connected to Wi-Fi while they are in another busy room on a laptop or stationary computer. This bad habit also tends to slow down the quality of the Wi-Fi network. Leaving your TV box, in particular, occupies unnecessary bandwidth when you are not using it (in addition to consuming energy). Likewise, more these devices will be far from your box, the more the network will try to extend to the maximum and will disperse its efforts. Do not hesitate to use the famous airplane mode.
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To avoid network problems when many devices are connected, a new standard has been developed: WiFi 6. This new standard promises to boost the performance of home networks that power many connected objects or devices. Several modems currently on the market are already compatible with WiFi 6, including the latest fiber Bbox from Bouygues Télécom.
Take care of your internet box
An internet box is a device packed with electronics. It is therefore sensitive to temperature variations and other short circuits. We therefore advise you to take great care of it during periods of heatwaves for example. Likewise, in the event of a thunderstorm, it is not uncommon to see modems perish due to a short circuit. This is why we advise you to protect your internet box against lightning. Another tip: it is better to connect it directly to the mains rather than to a multiple socket, this will improve the strength of its signal.
We hope that these tips will allow you to surf peacefully at home during confinement. If the problem persists despite these solutions, the most effective is surely the use of an Ethernet cable, which allows a more stable flow as well as a better speed. If you have other ideas on the subject, or if an error has crept into this file, we invite you to let us know in the comments.
