The ABCs of the best WiFi connections

MANILA, Philippines -  I recently bought a new router from a computer store to help increase my chances of getting stronger WiFi at home. Both my WiFi connection and router are located in my room, which is where I do all the work I have to do and then some.

Before I connected my new router, I did some research as to what affects the WiFi signal so that I would make sure that I put the router and the WiFi box in the best place, for the best signal.

What affects WIFI performance

For starters, I learned that typical 2.4GHz WiFi routers can efficiently cover an indoor space of up to 46 meters, which is about the size of my room. As anyone knows, when a user moves farther away from the router, the signal gets weaker, although I noticed that there are places in my home where the signal is better than others.

Did you know that metal objects (such as furniture, decoration, and household appliances), concrete walls and dividers, microwave ovens, and LED lights could interfere with Wi-Fi signals? Likewise, water and moisture from pots, flower vases, air-conditioners or an open bathroom door – can weaken wireless signals emitted by 2.4GHz routers.

So, I made sure to keep these WiFi signal weakening tips in mind when I set up my new router. Of course, there is a need to always stay updated, as outdated firmware is another culprit; many people I know go straight into setting up the router – not paying heed to installing the latest updates on their routers, which can lead to poor performance over time. I found this out when I checked my router, which I had just bought. I spent a few minutes making sure that the firmware was up-to-date.

I also know that such things as bandwidth-hoggers – apps, programs, ads and animations that eat up a significant chunk of your bandwidth allocation – can slow down your internet connection, even without you knowing as they can run quietly in the background. So, when using your WiFi, it is best to know what is running in the background and to turn them off if you don’t need them at the moment.

The best WIFI signal

As I set up my new router, I knew that there were many ways to make the most of my WiFi connection. I did some research on the easy fixes, where I learned about other factors which affect the strength and speed of my internet.

One suggestion I took to heart was to place my router on a higher table in my room, as the WiFi router should be placed in a central, elevated area in the house. Also, although the router might not fit in with your décor, it is good to keep it visible because hiding it away by placing it behind walls or inside cabinets can weaken the wireless signal.

I also found out that it is important to check all gadgets at home that can be connected to the WiFi router. There are a few smartphones and tablets that are connected to the router, aside from my laptop and smartphone, so I made sure that we all connected at the same time – and found that the router was in the best place because we all got good signals.

Another fact I discovered: should there be an issue with connection, sometimes a simple restarting of the router and modem can fix the problem. Moreso since the weather and thunderstorms that are quite common where I live can sometimes be the culprit in causing a surge in electricity. If it does, you can try fixing the problem by restarting your modem and router. As a rule of thumb, it is good to make sure to turn off the power source, count to 10, and plug the modem and router back in.

And, out of habit, I normally do software updates late at night (when I am the only one using the WiFi). This way, the updates take a shorter time to finish. Same goes for non-urgent uploads and downloads, which are best done when there are less people connected to your home WiFi.

I love going home to good WiFi connections. After all, this connection keeps me updated with what’s happening in the world around me. Of course, I also understand that a good WiFi connection is not always as easy to achieve as it would seem especially for those who are not so tech-savvy. There are lots of, and sometimes complex, factors beyond our control, and we can only do so much.

I learned that you can use an extra router to serve as a repeater. First, you have to find your router’s IP address, connect to the router, and then check the WiFi setting to find the router name, the channel, and security type. You then have to reset the old router to its factory settings and then configure it, and copy over the settings. You have to make sure to match the security type of your original router. Finally, you have to align the two routers by giving it a fixed IP address. Yes, this part can be a tedious process.

Even as I make it a habit to follow best practices, my eyes are still open to the most ideal, long-term solutions to getting the most ideal WiFi at home. I’m sure everyone is. As an end user, I look forward to the day when we can access a simpler and more straightforward solution to good WiFi connection at home.

For now, got to go – connection calls.