Causes of Slow wifi
Slow wifi can be extremely frustrating, especially if you work from home. Unfortunately, there’s no one way to fix slow wifi since there are so many different potential causes. If you’ve tried troubleshooting but can’t seem to fix the problem, consider the following causes of slow wifi. For immediate assistance, you can always contact Specialized Audio and Video in Sacramento.
Wrong Spectrum Band
Wireless networks operate on two primary frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. These frequency bands have an effect on how far and fast data can move over wifi. The 2.4 GHz band provides slower speeds over a greater distance, while the 5 GHz band provides faster speeds over a shorter distance.
As a result, if you want the best wifi speeds, our AV experts always use the 5 GHz band. Experts agree that the more devices you have connected, the slower your WiFi will be. As a result, you can save the 5 GHz band for your most-used devices, such as your laptop.
If you have a dual-band router, you can only use both frequency bands. This router allows you to have two separate wifi networks – one for each pair. You can configure each of these networks to have its own name and password.
To find out if your router supports both wifi bands, go to the router’s settings tab. Then, ensure that both of your bands are turned on. You can also find the name and password for your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks from this page.
Not Enough Bandwidth
The overall amount of data that can be transmitted over a network at any given time is referred to as bandwidth. That means that if someone on your network makes a video call, streams a movie, or downloads a large file. It can cause your wifi to slow down.
Open the Task Manager to see which tasks are consuming a lot of bandwidth on your Windows device. You can do this by right-clicking on the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen. Then, from the pop-up menu, choose Task Manager.
Once the Task Manager is open, you can sort your tasks based on how much bandwidth they use by clicking on the Network column’s header. If you discover any tasks that are consuming an excessive amount of bandwidth, pick them and press End Task.
If you’re using an Apple device, you can use the Activity Monitor to identify tasks that consume a lot of bandwidth. To do this, navigate to the Applications folder and open the Utility folder. Then, at the top of the window, open the Activity Monitor and pick the Network tab.
To find the most bandwidth-intensive applications, sort by bytes (data) or packets sent or received. Then, at the top of the window, press the “X” to terminate any running processes.
Router is Outdated
One of the simplest ways to improve your weak wifi link is to replace your old router. In general, newer routers can have faster wifi than older models. This is due to the fact that older routers are typically unable to support newer wifi requirements. Ask our audio and video service experts which wifi router best fits your needs.
The Router is in the Wrong Place
If you have a new router but are still experiencing wifi “dead zones,” you should consider moving your router. Since router signals move in an outward radius, placing your router in a central position rather than a corner would provide better coverage.
Wifi signals can be transmitted both vertically and horizontally. This means you should keep your router in an elevated spot, such as on top of a bookshelf, or place it on a wall. Water and metal objects, on the other hand, block wifi signals, so keep your router away from refrigerators and fish tanks. It takes trial and error to find the optimal router placement, so test your wifi signal strength in various areas before deciding on a final location for your router.
Network Driver is Outdated
Your device uses a network adapter to link to the internet, which is supported by network drivers. These network drivers allow your computer’s hardware and software to communicate with one another.
Windows Update automatically installs the most recent network drivers on your device. However, these network adapter drivers can go missing, become out of date, or become incompatible with your current device. This can cause your wifi to lag.
If you have Windows 10, you can manually update your network driver by typing “network driver” into the Windows search box (the magnifying glass icon in the bottom-left corner of your screen). Then, in the search bar, select Device Manager and press the Open button. Right-click on the network adapter you want to update in the Device Manager menu and select Update Driver.
If you own a Mac, Apple can manage both device and driver updates. To ensure that your drivers are up to date, go to System Preferences. Then, pick Software Update and press the Update Now button. If you don’t see this option, your Mac is current.
Hire an Audio and Video Company
If you’re still unsure about your slow wifi connection after reading the article above, hire a professional. They can diagnose the problem and provide you with a quick solution. Our Specialized Audio and Video team is more than happy to help restore your wifi or improve the connection altogether. Learn more about our premium products and services today! Don’t forget to leave us a Google Review!
