10 Tips to Improve your Internet Speed At Home

10 Tips on How to Increase WiFi Speed for Lightning-Fast and Reliable Coverage

Struggling with slow downloads, interrupted streaming, or disconnecting from video calls? We’ve all been there. Luckily for you, Hey!Broadband has compiled our top 10 tips to improve broadband speed and make your connection faster at home:

1. Take a speed test

Doing a quick speed test across a number of speed testing websites (always good to get a range in order to get a better picture of what speeds you’re actually getting) is the first port of call for how to improve internet speed at home. This is also important to understand what you’re paying for and what you’re actually getting.

2. Call your internet provider

Ultimately, if you’re finding your upload/download speeds are slower than what you signed up for, your internet provider should be your first port of call. Your broadband provider has a responsibility to deliver you the connection speed that was agreed upon in the contract. Give them a call and see what they can do to help.

3. Turn it off and on again

This age-old proverb is timeless for a reason. If your Wi-Fi is playing up, the fastest and most effective solution is often to turn it off and on again. We recommend unplugging your modem or wireless gateway, waiting a minute, and then plugging it back in again. If you have a wireless router, repeat the process. This allows you to clear out any glitches in an otherwise steady connection.

Rebooting your equipment like this can really give your network the boost it needs. Try doing this once every few months at a time when you can stand to lost connection for a few minutes. If your internet is consistently unreliable though, you may require a more permanent solution such as fibre optic connection.

4. Adjust your router

Make small adjustments to your equipment to get a better connection. Adjust your router’s antennas so that one sticks up, and one sticks out sideways, preferably away from any potential interference and off the ground if possible. This means your signal will be sent out both vertically and horizontally.

Move your router somewhere high and central, closest to where you use your internet most often. Wi-Fi signal only travels so far. You want your router placed where it gives the best access for everyone and the signal encounters minimal obstacles.

Alternatively, you can move your computer closer to the router. By shortening the space between computer and router, you get better access to the Wi-Fi you want—a small but effective strategy for how to improve internet speed.

5. Extend your Wi-Fi network

You’ve placed your router in the optimal location but the Wi-Fi still isn’t reaching you, there’s plenty of options to extend your Wi-Fi. As Wi-Fi fades with distance, in some homes, it’s necessary to get an extender; the best Wi-Fi extender depends on the nature of your Wi-Fi issues, and the floor plan of your house.

• Wi-Fi boosters sit between your router and a black spot to amplify or redistribute connection into the area.
• Wired access points connect to your router via an ethernet cable, see below.
• Powerline extender kits come with two devices – one you plug into the router via an ethernet cable, the other you plug in where you want better Wi-Fi.
• Mesh Wi-Fi systems replace your router with devices which create a Wi-Fi web that provides coverage from multiple points within your home.

6. Use an ethernet cable

A wired connection limits where your devices can be and is less stable than Wi-Fi, this may seem like an unappealing option. However, using an ethernet cable is a faster and more stable connection than Wi-Fi. For faster internet, the ethernet is a sure-fire route if you can get the cable to your device which isn’t always possible.

7. Update your equipment

Add-ons like these will only extend the ability of an already efficient router. If the equipment providing you Wi-Fi is old, or uses traditional copper cable technology, you may need an upgrade. This could be the router itself or maybe it’s worth investigating full fibre broadband. When you switch to full fibre optic broadband with Hey!Broadband, we provide a free installation worth £150 by a trained professional.

8. Switch your internet provider

Consistent issues with your internet are ultimately the responsibility of your broadband provider. If you’ve tried all the tips to improve broadband speed and are still unhappy, it may be time to look elsewhere. With so many reliable broadband providers to choose from, why waste time waiting for your options to load? See if your postcode is in range for super-fast full fibre optic broadband with Hey!Broadband today. If you’re stuck in a contract with six months or less, we may even be able to help you out of it.

9. Password protect

The first thing you should do if you’re changing internet provider or wondering how to improve internet speed is password protect. Uninvited guests stretch your internet bandwidth, slowing your download speeds and breaking your connection during your calls. Set yourself up for the speedy internet you need with a complex password and WPA2 security.

10. Increase bandwidth

If you’re experiencing speed issues, it could be that you’ve outgrown your existing internet package. You’ll know if your internet isn’t up to par if there are regular issues connecting or consistently long load times. It may be worth shopping around to see if you can find better deals elsewhere.

If you’re interested in full fibre broadband packages from Hey!Broadband, please contact our friendly customer service team on: 0330 822 28 78 or email us at [email protected].