How Can I Speed Up My Internet Connection?
A poor internet connection can be frustrating when you work from home. It stops you from responding to emails, accessing web applications, working with coworkers, and performing other critical tasks throughout the day. You can enhance your internet speed by doing a few simple things. Many of these, the most of which have to do with your internet router, involve minor, simple adjustments you may not have considered before.
The majority of these solutions are free; however, if everything else fails, we've included a few options that will cost you extra money.
Here's how you can improve your internet connection.
Fix Your Router
If you want to fix your internet on your own, start with the router. It's the device that controls your internet's speed. There are a few basic things you can do to improve the efficiency of your router and possibly speed up your connection.
Check for Updates On The Router
Routers are, in most cases, low-maintenance devices. They don't require a lot of changes and can last for years until they need to be replaced. However, maintaining the functionality of your current router may necessitate a software upgrade from time to time.
For existing routers, manufacturers release software updates. To keep it functioning smoothly, it can be improved with general upgrades or bug fixes. Depending on the manufacturer, the procedures will vary, so check the instructions which come with your router to understand how to do it.
Relocate the Router
If the router is packed into a corner with a tangle of wires, reconsider its placement. It's possible that the location is too far away from your workstation, slowing you down.
Move your router to a different spot to solve this. Place it in the heart of the house or near the computer where you spend the most time. This will make it easy for the router to provide a stable internet connection regardless of where you are in the house.
Try Aluminum Foil
Tinfoil is a surprising low-tech method for speeding up the internet that you probably already have in your kitchen. According to a Dartmouth professor and a team of experts, wrapping foil around your router's antennas can help focus signals where they're needed.
By doing so, you'll be directing the signals in one way. Watch a quick YouTube video to see if you can improve your internet speed.
Purchase a Wifi Extender
A wifi extender is a relatively low-cost piece of equipment that can speed up your wifi connection. This device uses a remote connection to connect to your network and may be placed anywhere in your home. It works by extending the wireless network to locations with poor signal strength.
If you can't move your router, this is a great solution. The extension can be utilized in your home office or anywhere else where you wish to improve the strength of your wifi. If your internet is slow due to a remote router, an extender may be able to help.
Wifi extenders are sold at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart, and others.
Pick Up a New Router
If none of these techniques work, it may be time to invest in a new router. Your internet connection could be easily fixed with the updated and current gear. An entry-level router costs between $60 and $100 on average.
Upgrade Your Internet Service Provider
If everything else fails, you may need to increase your internet subscription. You can either try to negotiate a better deal with your current supplier or go with a new one.
Companies are beginning to appeal to this demographic as the number of people working from home grows. This means you might be able to uncover some unique deals that will provide you with a faster internet connection at a lower price.
Compare the internet packages offered by various companies. For $39.99 per month, AT&T, for example, offers internet speeds of up to 100 Mbps. This is the same price as their basic internet subscription, which has a far slower speed of only 5 Mbps.
Windstream also has high-speed internet bundles starting at $19.99 per month. Look at what other companies in your area have to offer as well.
Test your current internet speed with a free internet speed test you can find online to make shopping for a new internet provider easier. This will allow you to compare various packages and determine whether the offer is a better option than your current situation.
Finally, you may discover that the cost of paying more on your internet is justified by the convenience it will provide you when working from home.
Compare Providers Before Deciding on a Package
It's worth figuring out how to increase your internet speed if you work from home. With a fast internet connection, you'll be able to work more efficiently, and the solution may be simpler than you think.
Before calling your provider for an upgrade, consider the many router tricks listed here. You could find that making one small alteration is enough to allow you to work from home effectively. To remedy the problem, you might also consider purchasing a wifi extender. A one-time purchase of this gadget will be less expensive than paying more for internet service in the long run.
If everything else fails and you decide it's time to upgrade your internet provider, make sure to shop around for several packages and providers before committing to one. Examine your existing provider's prices as well as three to four potential competitors for low-cost welcome packages.
