Getting the most from your broadband.
Here’s a question for you, are you getting the best from your broadband? You might be finding that your ultrafast connection isn’t quite as ultrafast as it should be. The good news is that there are some easy fixes. We’ve got 7 tips to get your broadband working at the top of its game.
1) Extend your coverage
Wi-Fi slow in some rooms? Dead zones? You might want a MESH WiFi system. The connection still comes from your usual box, but you can add little boosters around your house too. They make sure wherever you go, your internet is ultrafast.
2) Change the channel
WiFi channels are like lanes on a motorway. If there are too many cars in one lane, or you and your neighbours are on the same Wi-Fi channel, everyone slows down.
To move to an empty lane, turn your WiFi off and on again regularly. The oldest trick in the book.
3) Change the frequency
WiFi has two frequencies: 2.4 or 5 gigahertz. You can choose which one to jump onto. If 5GHz shows up on your device, go with that. Lots of devices can’t get onto it, so it’ll stop the other frequency being so crowded.
4) Disconnect your old devices
iPhone 3 sitting in your attic? Great for a retro fancy dress party. Not so good if it’s clogging up your connection. It’s worth checking any old devices aren’t still connected. Go into settings, select your WiFi and hit ‘forget’ or ‘disconnect’.
5) Turn off automatic downloads
They might be slowing you down, and you might not even want them. Switch them off in settings.
6) Check for intruders
Are your neighbours secretly intruding? Turn off every device you’ve connected to your WiFi. If the router’s still flashing, it means someone else is using it. Change your password and make it unguessable.
7) Take a walk on the wired side
Gaming and HD streaming love higher speeds. When you’re doing these more intense activities, connect your console or TV with an ethernet cable. Works a charm.