As we all get to grips with self-isolation to beat the Coronavirus, millions of people around the world have packed up their desks and set up to work from home. Adjusting to this new ‘normal’ might take a bit of getting used to and good wifi has never been more important, so is your connection up to the job? Here are some of our tips on how to make the most of your wifi when you’re working from home.
1. Check your wifi speed
If you’re working from home, your partner probably will be too – and you might even have kids doing their school work as well. The problem is, you’re all using the same wifi and it can only handle so much data coming through at any one time. Check your wifi speed by using an app like Speedtest to see if you’re being slowed down.
2. Move your router
Wherever your router is positioned at the moment might be fine for normal use, but we’re not in normal times. For a signal boost, try moving it to a more central position in your home, preferably as close to where you’re working as possible. Place it out in the open and up off the floor so the signal reaches further, and away from other electrical devices that could interfere with the signal.
3. Use less devices
It’s pretty standard to keep all your devices switched on 24/7. But even though they’re ‘asleep’, they’ll be working in the background and using your wifi to receive messages and notifications or updating apps and software. Turning off the wifi on every device while you work from your laptop will give you more signal when you need it most.
4. Get a wifi booster
If you already know your wifi still isn’t as good as it could be, try a wifi booster. Sometimes known as a range extender, these low-cost units pick up wireless signals from your router and amplify them to extend their coverage. Giving you a significant improvement, your wifi signal is boosted to reach those unreachable areas and breathe life into any wifi dead zones around your home.
5. Change router channel
Uninterrupted, wifi signals can travel a fair distance, so if you live close to your neighbours, your wifi strength and speed could be affected by interference and signal overlap from their router. Changing the channel on your router could help reduce interference and stop it getting clogged up with other people’s data. If you’re not familiar with your router or don’t know where to start, get in touch.
6. Turn it off and on again
It’s the classic response to any IT issue, but if you’re running into problems with your router or experiencing slower speeds, turning it off and on again can help. Honestly. Turning it off, disconnecting it, and leaving it for a few minutes before reconnecting and turning it back on can refresh your connection, iron out any problems and, potentially, give you a minor speed bump too.
Bonus tip: Try a wired connection
If you’re getting desperate and you need as much broadband speed as you can get, one final tip is to go wired. Try connecting directly from your router to your laptop or desktop computer using an ethernet cable. You should receive a stronger and more reliable signal and it could help you if you need to be on an important zoom call with clients or colleagues.
As your connection time increases over the coming weeks and months, your wifi could come in for some heavy use. Of course, your broadband provider is aware of this, so they’ll be doing everything they need to do to keep you connected.
But if you’re having issues or need any help or technical advice on your wifi to keep you up and running, we’re here and available to help you. Call us on 01752 296781 and we’ll be happy to chat, or get in touch using our contact form.