When the power goes out, you might freeze or even panic for a second. Thoughts like “What do I do now?” and “How long will my food last?” start to race through your head. The same thing happens when your Wi-Fi and the internet won’t work. Most people are so dependent on reliable and fast connectivity that their worlds come to a halt when it breaks down.
Ideally, you always want your Wi-Fi to be ready to go and perform at its best. In reality, many people deal with occasional bottlenecks, spotty signals, and dropped connections. It can be super frustrating, especially in the middle of an important online presentation for work or your favorite movie.
Thankfully, there are ways you can give your Wi-Fi connection a boost. Newer technologies and older tricks can solve many common connectivity problems, including dead spots. Here are some ways to get Wi-Fi you never have to think about.
Supercharge Your Connection With Artificial Intelligence
Recent Wi-Fi technology advances mean you’re no longer at the mercy of a single router. Mesh systems give you the ability to extend your router’s signal more evenly throughout your home or office. You may already be familiar with how these systems have separate pods or nodes you can put in different areas. For instance, you might put a pod in your basement, one on the second floor, and another in the hallway.
However, mesh systems simply extend the signal a router sends out. A mesh system’s equipment doesn’t address signal strength. This is where adaptive Wi-Fi comes in. This technology takes mesh systems to another level by using AI to constantly adjust signal strength. What this means is that each room and every connected device gets the necessary signal and bandwidth at the right time.
The AI behind adaptive connectivity learns where and when the most capacity is required. Your exercise equipment might demand more signal strength in the early morning. During the rest of the day, it’s the laptop you boot up in your home office. At night, it’s the TV and other devices in your living room’s entertainment center. Adaptive systems recognize these patterns, directing the right amount of coverage and bandwidth so you don’t experience any lag.
Check Your Router’s Location
Maybe you’re not ready to upgrade your entire system yet. In that case, consider the impact the placement of your router is having on your signal strength and reach. While larger spaces are more challenging, it’s best to put your Wi-Fi equipment in a centralized location. And although you can’t control what your home or building is made of, there are some places you should avoid.
Windows, microwaves, closets, walls, and even the floor are no-nos. Placing your router near, in, or on these can weaken Wi-Fi signals. When equipment is on the floor, it can pick up dust or carpet fibers and overheat. Windows and microwaves will dilute or interfere with signals. And placing a router in a closet and near walls can block or obstruct its reach.
When deciding where to move your router, also take stock of what devices you have in your home or building. Consider the space’s centralized location in terms of the area and where the devices sit. You want to have your most critical hardware, including work laptops, closer to the router. Less crucial equipment or devices that don’t require as much bandwidth can be further out. Think smart light bulbs, locks, and thermostats.
Switch the Channel
As the density of housing developments and neighborhoods increases, Wi-Fi signal interference and channel congestion are becoming more common. You’re more likely to experience interference and congestion in apartment buildings, strip malls, and condos because of the shared walls. That said, single-family residences and businesses in outparcel locations aren’t exempt from these problems.
As newer developments squeeze more into tighter spaces, even detached homes and businesses are getting closer to each other’s Wi-Fi. If your neighbor’s router is using the same channel as yours, slower speeds and dropped connections can be an issue. A single channel only has so much capacity. You might be trying to send your latest work assignment to your boss, but someone next door is streaming video.
Since the channel has limited bandwidth, both of you get slowed down. Switching your router to a less congested channel can alleviate the bottleneck. To do this, you’ll need to read over the equipment’s documentation. Some routers and ISPs have online tools you can use to check channel congestion near your location. Change the router’s channel to one that shows less traffic, and you should notice an improvement in speed and performance.
Achieving Solid Wi-Fi Without a Thought
Living with an unreliable Wi-Fi connection just isn’t doable in today’s digitally driven world. Businesses and homes need a steady and high-performing signal at all times. Slow speeds, dead spots, and connectivity interruptions are things no one wants to deal with.
In some cases, the solution may be simple. With a few equipment tweaks, you’re back in the fast lane and enjoying a seamless connection. But other situations might require a more complex solution and assistance from AI-based tools. With advanced tech that treats Wi-Fi as a dynamic system, you’ll hopefully never have to think about your wireless connection again.