Top 10 Ways to Make Your Wi-Fi Run Like a Cheetah
Articles • Oct.8, 2022
We’ve all been through it – you’re on a face call, about to hear something important when the connection suddenly drops. The screen gets blurry, and you’re greeted with the spinning beach ball of death.
Slow internet speeds is something we all secretly (or openly) hate. Now that over 5 billion people are online users increasing your own connection speeds is vital for working remotely, managing teams, or business processes.
In this article, we’ll look over the top 10 ways you can increase your Wi-Fi speeds right now. Let’s dive in…
Top 10 ways to increase your internet connection speeds
#1. Turn it off and on
This classic fix is more relevant than ever when speeding up your internet connection. To quickly reset your router, simply:
- Turn off your router via the switch/button on the back.
- Unplug the router from the wall.
- Wait for 10-30 seconds.
- Plug in the router and turn it back on.
Turning your router off and on resets it, clearing cache and background processes. It may be the very first solution that’ll help you connect back to that video call.
#2. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Have you heard of bandwidth throttling? When your Internet Service Provider (ISP) notices excessive downloading (like streaming, gaming, etc.), they artificially slow your connection to minimize network congestion.
Annoying, right?
But when your browsing data passes through a VPN server before reaching your ISP, it becomes encrypted. Having done that, ISPs are less likely to throttle your bandwidth and slow you down.
#3. Move closer to the router
Did you know that the closer you are to the router, the better speeds you get? Ideally, you’d want your router next to your device for the strongest and fastest possible connection.
If you can’t move your device or router, try and create a better path for the Wi-Fi signal. The more objects (especially metal) it has to pass through, the weaker it will get. So, you have to look for ways to move some of those objects out of the way.
#4. Check on your data cap
Data caps always creep up on you – when did you last check yours? You could have anything from 1GB to unlimited left. If you use more data than your plan allows, your ISP may throttle your connection.
Mitigate this issue by choosing an appropriate internet plan for you. If your data cap has been reached, consider upgrading your plan with your ISP.
#5. Exit what’s running on the background
Apps and other processes that are open in the background hog bandwidth, slowing your internet speeds. It’s relatively simple to close unnecessary background processes:
- Press the keys Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
- Click the option “Task Manager”.
- Under the “Processes” tab, scroll down to “Background processes”.
From here, you can right-click on any process and choose “End task” to free up bandwidth, speeding up your connection.
#6. Get the latest patches
It’s not just your apps that need updates – your router and computer require regular updates to improve performance and fix bugs. The network drivers on your computer are especially important to update.
Firmware updates for your router can be found via the router’s web interface. Driver updates can be found on manufacturers’ websites, matching the name of the drivers on your computer.
#7. Try an ethernet cable
Wireless is so convenient, isn’t it? Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s fast. Sometimes the simplest solution is an old-school one. Plug your computer right into your router via an ethernet cable.
The speed and quality offered by ethernet cables are still unmatched by wireless routers. Who knows – your speeds could possibly reach multiple Gbps!
#8. Run antivirus scans
2021 alone saw 5.4 billion detected malware attacks worldwide. These data-draining programs disrupt your computer and slow down your Wi-Fi speeds significantly.
Malware often requires a huge chunk of bandwidth to operate on your device. A quick antivirus scan should point out and delete any malicious programs on your device..
#9. Clear your cache and browsing history
Emptying your browser’s cache and browsing history is healthy for an internet connection. A stored cache can cause half-loaded or unloaded sites.
All this accumulated data can potentially slow your Wi-Fi speeds. Regularly clear your cache and history to ensure a quicker connection.
#10. Change your router, plan, or ISP
If you’ve made it this far, there’s not a whole lot of options left. Sometimes the cause for your undesirable connection speeds is the router, data plan or ISP itself. Have a chat with your ISP regarding possible router and plan upgrades.
If your ISP won’t offer faster speeds, consider swapping to another provider. Find an ISP that delivers the speeds and prices you’re looking for.
Wrapping up…
By now, your internet connection should be running smoothly. With these tips and tricks, most slow Wi-Fi troubles should become a thing of the past.
Any time your connection begins to slow down, refer back to these tips to get back to browsing in no time.
Meanwhile, we’ve also got you covered when you’re looking for a WiFi explorer and analyzer for your Mac.
