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diff --git a/wired/faster internet.txt b/wired/faster internet.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d26e418 --- /dev/null +++ b/wired/faster internet.txt @@ -0,0 +1,105 @@ +Below is the combination of the refreshed original article and Nield's new article. Nield's work is essentially untouched, except for the first line. Steps 7-13 are what were added. We need to keep the list of tips this high to be competitive. + +I've copied all this markdown into the old URL's copilot link, which is the one we'd like to have published. Everything is optimized, Nield's byline was added (first) along with the original writer (Pierce), and I already swapped out the old art for the new art, so it's ready to go, aside from any potential edits. It just needs a new publication date and the new story (https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-upgrade-your-home-wi-fi-and-get-faster-internet/) redirected to the old (https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-your-wifi-better-faster/). + + + + + + +Knowing how to make your internet faster is essential—especially as the novel [coronavirus](https://www.wired.com/tag/coronavirus/) continues to spread across the United States and many people find themselves [working or studying from home](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-work-from-home-without-losing-your-mind/). Naturally, that means they're stuck with their home Wi-Fi networks, many of which may not feel up to par. + +Some cable companies have [increased speeds](https://corporate.comcast.com/press/releases/internet-essentials-low-income-broadband-coronavirus-pandemic){: rel=nofollow} for low-income customers. Others [have suspended](https://www.theverge.com/2020/3/12/21177538/att-broadband-internet-data-cap-coronavirus-suspend){: rel=nofollow} broadband data caps. But eliminating subpar speeds and Wi-Fi dead zones around the house will largely be up to you. These tips give you a variety of options for getting more out of your Wi-Fi connection inside and outside the home. + +###1. Move Your Router + +It may seem a little obvious or too basic a fix to consider, but physically moving your router can make a real difference to the speeds you get and how far its wireless transmissions can reach. Try not to hide your router in a corner, or under a cupboard, or inside a drawer—the more central and prominent it is, the better. + +You might need to apply some creative cabling to get your router in a better place, but it's going to be worth the effort for the end results. Have a think about where your main devices are situated—consoles, laptops and so on—and get your router as close as possible. Devices that don't need quite so much bandwidth, like smart thermostats, don't have to be a priority in terms of physical proximity. + +If you don't have a table or other flat surface near where you think the router is going to be best positioned, consider mounting it halfway up a wall. If possible, keep it away from other devices that use electromagnetic waves—that means baby monitors, wireless keyboards, and even microwaves. + +###2. Upgrade Your Router + +You might never have thought about swapping out the black box your internet provider gives you, but the fact is that your standard issue router box is unlikely to be the best model on the market. There are better options out there. Just check with your provider (or run a quick web search) to make sure you can switch to a different box, and to get the configuration settings you need to do it. + +By "better" we mean routers that can spread your Wi-Fi further, and support more devices more easily, and keep connections stable and active under higher demand. While a router upgrade doesn't make any difference to the speed of the internet coming into your home, it can certainly have an impact on the speeds and stability you see on your devices. + +While we don't have room for a full router buying guide here, if you have a look at the [Netgear Nighthawk AX10](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Nighthawk-Quad-Stream-Quad-core-Compatible/dp/B01M12RE4A){: rel=nofollow} or the [TP-Link AX6000](https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-Wifi-AX1500-Smart-Router/dp/B07ZSDR49S){: rel=nofollow} to see some of the specs and features available. You can also upgrade to a mesh network, where you install multiple router nodes around your house—check out [Google Nest Wifi](https://store.google.com/us/product/nest_wifi) (from $270) or [Eero Wi-Fi](https://eero.com/shop), for example. + +##3. Change the Channel or Band + +Your router uses a particular Wi-Fi channel to communicate with the devices around your home, and if you've got neighbors living very close who have routers using the same Wi-Fi channel, then everything can get very congested very quickly. Switching to a different channel can solve this problem. + +Every router will handle this differently—check its documentation or look up the instructions online if you're not sure—but you should be able to find the option somewhere in the device settings. Channels 1, 6 and 11 are the ones to try, as they'll have the least interference when multiple devices get hooked up. + +Most routers now use dual band technology, broadcasting at the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies. If your router settings allow you, you might be able to prioritize one or the other for certain devices—the 5GHz band will get you a faster connection to the internet, though it has a shorter range than 2.4GHz. + +##4. Get a Wi-Fi Extender + +If messing around with your router settings seems too daunting, and you have a few dollars spare, invest in a Wi-Fi extender or repeater. These devices plug into a spare wall socket, connect to the wireless internet getting beamed out by your router, and then extend it further. + +They're simple to set up, easy to use, and can instantly get rid of Wi-Fi dead zones in your house. The extended or repeated wireless signals won't be as strong as the ones coming straight from your router though, so again positioning is important—try and use these devices to connect up gadgets that don't need a huge amount of bandwidth. + +You've got plenty of options to pick from: take a look at the [Linksys AC1900](https://www.amazon.com/Linksys-Gigabit-Extender-Repeater-RE7000/dp/B01DT48WZS){: rel=nofollow} or the [Netgear EX7300](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Wi-Fi-Range-Extender-EX7300/dp/B01D6JEMWS){: rel=nofollow}, for example. Make sure the maximum supported Wi-Fi standard (e.g. 802.11ac) matches that of your router, so that you get as speedy a connection as possible. + +##5. Use Your Electrical Wiring + +An alternative to extenders is a powerline kit—you might never have realized it, but digital signals can pass through electrical wiring, and powerline devices are designed to take advantage of this. Several manufacturers make powerline networking kits, including [Netgear](https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Powerline-Adapter-Ethernet-Passthrough/dp/B0778Y6K6N){: rel=nofollow} and [TP-Link](https://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Powerline-Pass-Through-TL-PA9020P-KIT/dp/B01H74VKZU){: rel=nofollow}. + +It works like this: You connect a powerline plug up to your router and then put the plug into a wall socket. Add another powerline plug in any other room in your house, and it can then provide a wired or wireless connection to that room. There will be some drop in speed, but it's a simple and effective option. + +Unless your home is particularly old, it should have electrical wiring that supports this, but it's best to buy your kit from a retailer with a robust returns policy, just in case. As always, check out the reviews in advance of buying any kit, just in case any known incompatibility issues get flagged up. + +##6. Go Wired Instead + +A wired connection to your router is usually preferable to a wireless one—it's faster and more stable, and can't be affected by other devices or large fish tanks. The downside is, of course, that it limits where your devices can be, and it's less convenient overall. + +If you've got a device that needs the fastest internet possible—a gaming console or an streaming box, for example—then you might consider putting in the time and effort to establish a wired connection directly from your router. The router will have a handful of Ethernet ports spare, so all you need is a cable. + +To do a really tidy job and avoid having wires trailing across your floor, you'll need to deploy some cable management (brackets to keep the Ethernet cable fixed to the walls, for example). For one or two gadgets, it can be worth the extra setup. + +##7. Make Sure There's a Password on your Wi-Fi + +We probably don't have to tell you this, but you need a password on your Wi-Fi. It's good for [keeping hackers away](https://www.wired.com/story/wikileaks-cia-router-hack/), and keeping neighbors from Netflixing off your bandwidth. Make sure you use AES encryption, too (it's usually right there in the dropdown), which is both the most secure and most speed-friendly security option. + +##8. Consider Adding a Separate Network for your Guests + +Another thing: You probably should have two networks. One for you, one for guests. Everyone asks for the password, but you're better off limiting the number of people and devices on your personal network to things you actually want there. Plus, let's be real: Do you really trust your friends? If they'd text your exes just because you left your phone unlocked, they'd definitely hack you just for fun. + +##9. Reduce the Number of Devices Using Your Network + +It also helps to reduce the number of devices on your network. Having dozens of things tapping into the Wi-Fi can be just as problematic as trying to play *FIFA* online while simultaneously torrenting the whole of _The Sopranos._ Plug anything you can into Ethernet, and unplug anything you have connected but don't need (like that "smart" tea kettle you never once got to work). Make sure only the things that need internet get internet. + +On most recent routers, you can even prioritize a particular device or service through the same wonky settings menu you'd use to create a password or update the firmware. It's a hacky but handy way to make sure your games never get interrupted by someone's [Facebooking](https://www.wired.com/tag/facebook/). If you have [Luma](https://www.wired.com/2016/05/luma-makes-wi-fi-fun-smart-secure-time/) or Google Wifi, you get even more granular controls—you can prioritize the Fire TV, but only for the next two hours. + +##10. Regularly Turn Off Your Router + +Chances are you *never* turn off your router, but giving it a break once a month can make a difference when it comes to your internet speeds. Turning off your router gives it a chance to reset its internet connection. You could even turn it on and off everyday. That *sounds* like a hassle, but you can actually get a [programmable timer](https://www.amazon.com/Century-Heavy-Digital-Programmable-Timer/dp/B00MVF16JG/ref=as_li_ss_tl){: rel=nofollow} that does it for you. You can set it up to turn your Wi-Fi on and off at times when no one in your house will be using the internet. + +##11. See What Programs are Automatically Updating + +This tip is specific to computers: if the internet on your PC or laptop is perpetually slow, open your task manager or activity monitor and see what programs are running in the background. Certain programs could be set to auto-update that don't need to be. If they're always updating in the background, that could be the cause of your slow internet. Check it out and adjust the settings. + +##12. Check for Viruses + +Auto-updating programs aren't the only things that can affect your computer's internet speeds. Another culprit? Viruses. Scan your computer for malware. To remove malware, run your computer in safe mode, delete all temporary files, and install a virus scanner. Not only will removing viruses make your computer and data safe, it will also improve your internet speed immediately. + +##13. Reach Out to Your Internet Service Provider + +You can always reach out to your internet provider and ask them to send a service technician out. They're specialists for a reason, and might be able to pinpoint an overlooked issue that is getting in the way of you and fast Wi-Fi. Let them know your connection is lagging, and when the technician arrives, you can pick their brain for all kinds of solutions for how to make the internet faster. Chances are they'll have plenty of tricks up their sleeve specific to your setup. Afterall, Wi-Fi is a strangely personal thing. Performance depends on where you are, what the walls are made of, when your microwave was manufactured, and whether the guy who laid the cables did it right. When all else fails, let the tech help you troubleshoot your slow internet speeds! + + +*** + +*When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Read more about [how this works](https://www.wired.com/2015/11/affiliate-link-policy/).* + +*** +### More Great WIRED Stories +* The secret history of [a Cold War mastermind](https://www.wired.com/story/the-secret-history-of-a-cold-war-mastermind/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* How to clean your smartphone [the right way](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-clean-your-smartphone-keyboard-mouse-safely/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Algae caviar, anyone? [What we'll eat on the journey to Mars](https://www.wired.com/story/space-food-what-will-keep-us-human/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Deliver us, Lord, [from the startup life](https://www.wired.com/story/midwest-christian-entrepreneurs-startup-life/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* Share your online accounts—[the safe way](https://www.wired.com/story/share-online-accounts-without-sharing-password/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* 👁 Want a real challenge? [Teach AI to play D&D](https://www.wired.com/story/forget-chess-real-challenge-teaching-ai-play-dandd/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1). Plus, the [latest AI news](https://www.wired.com/category/business/artificial-intelligence/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories_Sections_1) +* 🏃🏽♀️ Want the best tools to get healthy? Check out our Gear team’s picks for the [best fitness trackers](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-fitness-tracker/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories), [running gear](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-gear/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) (including [shoes](https://wired.com/gallery/best-trail-running-shoes-round-up/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) and [socks](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-running-socks/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories)), and [best headphones](https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-headphones-under-100/?itm_campaign=BottomRelatedStories) |