Improve your WIFI with these 10 Easy Steps

1. Run a speed test

The first step is to find out exactly what internet speed plan you are on. You can do this by looking at your bill or calling your internet service provider and they will tell you if you are on a 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 250 Mbps, 500 Mbps or 1,000 Mbps speed plan. The most common plans in Australia are currently 50 Mbps and 100 Mbps.

The second step is to visit speedtest.net and click the “GO” button and see what speeds you are receiving. Jim’s IT recommend doing this test on multiple computers in the house, and preferably one that is hard-wired with a cable to the router.

The third step is to download the ‘speedtest.net’ app on your iPhone or Android phone and run the test on your mobile phone when connected to your WIFI.

If all these tests show a similar speed: ie: 50Mbps and you are on a 50Mbps speed plan, then move onto the next step. If your test shows around 5 Mbps, and speed plan is 50 Mbps, then move onto the next steps or call Jim’s IT on 131 546.

2. Reboot your router

If your Wi-Fi or internet is very slow or drops out, we recommend rebooting your router/modem. Sometimes there can be a “traffic jam” on your router and rebooting simply clears this out and reconnects to your internet provider establishing a new connection. We recommend waiting 60 seconds before turning the router back on.

You would be surprised how often this can fix a major issue such as drop outs, and is usually the first thing an ISP will tell you to do if you call them.

3. Switch Wi-Fi bands

All new routers and modems from the past 5 years will have both a 2.4 ghz and 5 ghz WIFI band. You can usually see them both when you try connect a wireless device to your modem.

The 2.4 ghz signal is a more common signal also used by older cordless phones and microwaves, and a 5ghz signal is a newer signal with less interference. If you find your 2.4 ghz connection is dropping out, try connecting to the 5 ghz signal.

4. Switch Wi-Fi channels

This is a more advanced technique that involves logging into your router’s website (details for your router logins are usually physically printed on a sticker underneath your router) – and manually changing the WIFI channel.

WIFI channels are like “lanes on a freeway” and if one of them is congested, just by switching to an unused channel you can fix drop outs and improve your wifi speeds.

This is very common in large apartment complexes with residents all having a similar modem, all running on the same channel.

5. Call your internet provider

If your WIFI speeds have slowed down and your internet connection has become unusable it may be due to an undiagnosed fault with your internet connection.

Internet providers are not proactive when it comes to faults and their system will only register major outages such as NBN maintenance works or when an entire suburb has an outage.

When calling your internet provider, advise them of the slow speeds, how long it’s been going on for, and ask them to run a “line fault test” – after they run this test, they may send out a NBN technician free of charge as the issue may be outside in the street.

6. Move your router

Sometimes the position of your router or modem may be the causes of the issue. We have seen a lot of customers who have a modem at the front of the house, but the Wi-Fi signal from the modem only covers 50% of the back of the house.

Try to move the router to a more central position in the house, or place it higher on a desk or bookshelf. In the event we can’t move your modem, we can organize your NBN connection to be physically moved. Speak with our IT technicians on 131 546

7. Extend your Wi-Fi

After testing hundreds of customers homes Jim’s IT has found that a lot of wifi issues in customers homes are due to poor wifi coverage caused by the antenna design inside newer modems.

In these cases, we like to use a wireless mesh system that has 3 wireless nodes that are places strategically around the house. This fixes all WIFI black spots, improves coverage and wifi speeds.

We recommend assessing your house first, before buying a new wireless mesh system as not all systems are made the same, and Jim’s IT has some preferred brands that can get exceptional results.