Tips to Enhance Your WiFi Network Performance

8 Tips to Enhance Your WiFi Network Efficiency

Chances are pretty good you filled this page over a WiFi network-- or, as it is better known in my home, that $# & * #$!! WiFi network. That's due to the fact that our wireless network always picks the worst possible time to crap out, like when we're getting to the thrilling climax of House of Cards on Netflix.

Still, it's much better than it used to be. I've learned a few WiFi techniques throughout the years, and asked some folks who know more than I provide for a couple of more. If you enjoy with your present WiFi setup, that's fine. But if you hunger for much faster speeds, more dependable efficiency, or to just get more usage out of your network, attempt the following eight tips.

1. Get up to speed.
First, let's review some basics. (If you're already a WiFi wonk, you can avoid this paragraph.) WiFi does not really suggest "cordless fidelity." Its real name is a number: 802.11, the technical standard for wireless networks first established by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic devices Engineers (IEEE) in 1997. That number is constantly accompanied by a letter (like a, b, g, or n) that shows which version it is. Typically speaking, each brand-new variation of 802.11 is quicker and more dependable than the last, however "greater" letters don't constantly indicate faster speed. For instance, 802.11 a is much faster than 802.11 b. Go figure.

2. Prepare to pony up.
The latest WiFi basic, 802.11 air conditioner, is roughly 3 times faster than the previous champ, 802.11 n. In geek-speak, each 802.11 air conditioner antenna can go up to 1,300 megabits of information per second (vs. a max of approximately 450 megabits for n). So I'll simply get this out of the way: The most convenient and fastest method to obtain more performance out of your WiFi network is to purchase a brand-new 802.11 ac router.

Older phones and laptops will work fine with more recent routers, though they will not have the ability to take advantage of the speed or other brand-new functions.

But the best 802.11 a/c routers aren't low-cost. You can expect to drop from $100 to $300 on a new one. (Or, if you're a T-Mobile client, you can get a complimentary Individual CellSpot that's truly an ASUS air conditioner router.).