Reasons why your WiFi is slow and how to fix it

With us all depending on WiFi daily, we understand how frustrating it is when it’s as slow as a snail or simply doesn’t work! WiFi is practically a necessity these days allowing us to watch our favourite programmes on Netflix as well as work from a multitude of locations at any time.

When you rely on WiFi, speed issues are the most painful. Unfortunately speed issues aren’t often easy to diagnose due to the way WiFi works.

WiFi transfers data using one of two radio frequencies (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). Generally most modern routers have the ability to switch between the two. Within these frequencies there are many channels.

We’re now going to detail some other possibilities behind what could be causing your slow WiFi network.

Router positioning

It really is crucial to select a good location for your WiFi router. Re-positioning in the slightest can make a big difference. When you get a new router most are guilty of simply getting it out of its packaging and plugged into a place nearby, whether it’s on a desk, shelf or sometimes even the floor. The height of your router is key and finding a suitable spot should be one of the first things you take into consideration. By placing your router as high up as possible it extends the broadcasting range of the radio waves. If your router is on the ground or cluttered amongst other objects this can result in poor performance.

Concrete & metals

Materials such as concrete and metal are usually the worst culprits for blocking WiFi waves, however objects made from other materials can also interfere. Ensure that your router is not obstructed by other objects, especially electronic devices.

Distance

If you have one specific room or area where you usually use your devices then place your router as near to your devices as possible. However if you have more than one area it’s best to position your router in the centre of your home. The further you are from your router the weaker the signal. If your premises is large or you have a weak router then WiFi extenders would be recommended to boost the signal. Here at Nexus we can recommend, supply and install reliable, powerful boosters for you.

Microwaves

Microwaves can interfere with your network because they operate at a frequency extremely close to the WiFi band. Sometimes microwave frequencies can overlap with the WiFi frequency causing disruption to the data being transferred.

Bluetooth devices
Older Bluetooth devices used to interfere with WiFi networks but in more recent years, Bluetooth and WiFi manufacturers have applied certain techniques to reduce interference.
So unless you have a really old phone or Bluetooth device, it’s unlikely that Bluetooth will affect your WiFi.

Christmas lights

Keep your router away from Christmas lights or fairy lights. Believe it or not they can be a cunning culprit in slowing down your WiFi because they can release an electromagnetic field which interacts with your WiFi.

Channel Interference

With almost every household having its own network this can result in problems with channel overlap, especially if you’re in a block of flats where there can be many routers within close proximity. Selecting a good channel in your router settings is important. Modern routers can automatically choose channels for you however sometimes it’s best to investigate and find the channel yourself.

Additionally people may try to get on your network without your knowledge or permission which can also contribute to slowing down your WiFi. The best thing you can do is have a strong password in place and carry out frequent checks for suspicious devices on your network.

Water

Water absorbs radiowaves used in WiFi networks, so putting a wireless router near your fish tank (or boiler) is a bad idea.

If you’re seeking a reliable WiFi system then look no further. Our experts at Nexus have the experience setting up amazing super-fast networks guaranteed to work. We have set up strong WiFi networks in many different sized homes and offices, no project is too big or small for us.