8 Common Mistakes That Are Slowing Down Your Wi-Fi

Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating. Whether you're trying to stream movies, play online games or simply browse the web, slow Wi-Fi can put a damper on your experience. It can affect your productivity, too, by keeping you from getting things done.

If you're dealing with a sluggish Wi-Fi connection, there could be several things slowing it down. Here are potential mistakes you may be making:

1. Not Checking for Interference From Other Networks

If you have other devices in your home that operate on the same frequency as your Wi-Fi network (such as baby monitors, microwaves and cordless phones), they can cause interference that will slow down your network.

2. Placing Your Router in the Wrong Spot

Most people don't realize that the placement of their router can have a big impact on the speed of their network. Try to position your router in a central location in your home, and make sure it's not hidden behind furniture or in a corner.

3. Skipping Your Router's Firmware Updates

Router manufacturers regularly release updates to the firmware that powers their devices. These updates can often improve performance and fix bugs that can cause a slowdown. Check your router's manufacturer's website to see if there are any new firmware updates available.

4. Not Using a Wired Connection

If you're looking for the fastest possible connection, you can connect your computer directly to your router using an Ethernet cable. This will bypass any potential wireless interference and give you the best possible speeds.

5. Not Changing Your Wireless Channel

If you live in a densely populated area, your Wi-Fi network may be competing with your neighbors' networks for the limited number of available channels. Try changing the channel that your router is using to see if that helps improve performance.

6. Not Upgrading Your Wi-Fi Standard

If you're still using an older 802.11g router, you may be able to get a significant speed boost by upgrading to a newer 802.11n or 802.11ac model. These newer standards support much higher speeds, so it's worth considering if you're looking for a speed boost.

7. Having Too Many Devices Connected to Your Wi-Fi

Try and reduce the number of devices that are connected to your network. The more devices there are, the slower your network will be.

8. Not Checking Problems With Your ISP

If you're having consistent problems with your Wi-Fi, it's worth checking with your internet service provider (ISP) to see if there's an issue on their end.