The global economic value of the mobile technologies and services industry was forecast to grow to over $4.2 trillion in 2020. That’s an impressive 4.9 percent of the global GDP.
One particular technology that has taken the world by storm is Wi-Fi. Since its inception in 1997, Wi-Fi has played a central role in keeping people connected at home and in public. Many people have come to expect a standard degree of Wi-Fi connectivity wherever they go and rely on this connectivity to maintain their productivity, organization, health, and security.
The adoption of Wi-Fi is more widespread than you may expect. In 2017, over 9 billion Wi-Fi devices were already in use. That number has significantly increased since then, and the technology has become part of our daily lives.
Of course, Wi-Fi problems are bound to happen from time to time, regardless of how reliable your service provider is. The important thing is to know how to solve these issues quickly so you can continue to enjoy the service.
Here are seven tips for solving Wi-Fi issues.
1. Internet Access Is Too Slow in Certain Rooms
Your Wi-Fi is basically radio waves. That means that your router broadcasts from a central location to all directions. If some parts of your house are receiving a weak signal, it could be that you’ve placed your router in a far corner of your home.
The solution here is simple. Move the router to a centralized location, and you should start to receive better connectivity throughout your home.
You could also try adjusting external antennas if you have them. Alternate them between vertical and horizontal positions to see if connectivity improves.
Sometimes, the problem may be caused by other routers close to your house interfering with yours, especially if you live in an apartment building. A WiFi analyzer on a Mac can show you all wireless networks nearby and the channel they’re using. If you discover that your router is overlapping with other networks around you, switch to a less congested channel.
2. Slow Internet Throughout Your Home
If your internet is down regardless of where you are in your house, the problem could be with your internet connection, not the router. The solution here is to talk to your internet service provider (ISP).
If the issue isn’t your internet connection, then chances are your Wi-Fi is currently overcrowded by the devices you’re using. The problem could also be caused by nearby networks, as we pointed out earlier. Go to your router settings and change the channel.
If there’s still no change, then you may want to perform a factory reset on the router. Set the router up again and get everything properly configured.
In case none of the above works, it’s very likely that your router is dying. That means it’s time to start shopping for a new router.
3. One of Your Devices Isn’t Connecting
Sometimes, it’s one of your devices that isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi. In many cases, the issue is momentary, and you have nothing to worry about. Turn off the Wi-Fi on the device and re-enable it and see if everything goes back to normal.
If your device still can’t connect, unplug your router and plug it back in after 30 seconds. If there’s still no change, try deleting the current network from your list of saved networks and reconnect once again.
4. Nothing Connects to Wi-Fi
If none of your devices connect to Wi-Fi, try plugging your PC to the router directly using an Ethernet cable. If the PC connects that way, then your Wi-Fi is the issue. If it doesn’t, then chances are your internet is down and you need to talk to your ISP.
You may also want to consider resetting the router all together. Doing so helps fix a variety of issues, including the inability to connect. To do so, press the reset button on your router for 30 seconds for it to default to factory settings.
If the problem doesn’t go away, it’s time to consider getting a new router.
5. Wi-Fi Connectivity Drops Randomly
Have you noticed a pattern? For instance, does Wi-Fi drop every time you’re using the microwave?
It’s a common occurrence, especially with routers on the 2.4GHz frequency. Some routers also experience connectivity issues if the homeowner is using an older microwave that has shielding problems. There’s also the possibility that there’s interference from surrounding networks.
One way to deal with the issue is to change your router’s channel or performing a factory reset on it.
6. Your Router Crashes Frequently
Do you need to restart your router regularly because it keeps crashing? On most occasions, this isn’t a big issue and can be resolved easily. Give the router a full reset using the tips we shared above.
If you’ve reset the router and properly configured it, but the problem still continues, consider returning it to the seller if it’s still under warranty. If the warranty has already expired, it may be a good time to consider getting a new router.
7. There Are Unknown Devices on Your Network
Do you suspect that someone could be hijacking your network? If so, log into your administrator settings on your browser or go to your Wi-Fi app. Check the list of all connected devices and identify the ones you don’t recognize.
Once you’ve ruled out any potential devices that belong to you, it’s time to block all other unrecognized devices. Go to your administrator setting for options to block and ban unrecognized devices. Once you’ve done that, change the Wi-Fi address and reboot your router.
Resolve WI-FI Problems to Stay Connected
Wi-Fi connectivity issues can be disruptive to your routine, especially if you depend on Wi-Fi to get things done at home or in your workplace. The good news is that there’s always something you can do to quickly restore access to the internet. Where you’re not sure how to troubleshoot Wi-Fi problems, don’t hesitate to get professional help.
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