How to Setup a Router Step by Step for Best Connection?

Ever wondered why your WiFi signal is so bad? It isn't uncommon for WiFi to be erratic. It might seem like you are using a perfectly strong WiFi signal, but move just a few steps in one direction, and you find it dropping to one bar. This router setup guide covers some tips on how to boost WiFi signal at home, set up a router, and readjust router settings and technology for faster WiFi. Since many factors concerning installing routers affect the performance of WiFi networks, WiFi networks seem unreliable. Here are some things we did figure out along the way. Let’s learn how to set up a router with us!

Things That Affect Smooth WiFi Connection

Obstructions

Various obstacles and objects, such as walls, ductwork, furniture, home appliances, and even people, can partially absorb or even completely block WiFi signals. Because higher-frequency WiFi signals do not penetrate solid objects nearly as well as lower frequency waves, these WiFi blockers are especially detrimental when used with 5 GHz WiFi networks. Keep reading to know if you’ve configured the router on or around a WiFi blocker. 

Physical distance

Wireless routers have less transmitting power than cell towers for obvious technical and safety reasons. Buying a cheaper router may not even provide a strong signal to cover a relatively small apartment, never mind an entire house. Using a WiFi analyzer app such as NetSpot, you can find out the range of your WiFi router and know how to install a router optimally.

Household interferences

Common WiFi signals can get mixed up with other overlapping electromagnetic spectrum frequencies too. These other frequencies come from items you may have lying around the house in the router setup: walkie-talkies, cell phones, radios, microwave ovens, baby monitors and similar devices. In densely populated areas like apartment buildings, your WiFi router signals could get overlapped with WiFi home network setups in your neighbors' homes. You could try a cell phone signal booster if you didn’t remove those interferences.

Bandwidth hoggers

When your WiFi signal is not strong enough in your router setup, your internet connection could be a problem. Even a strong WiFi network can bog down when streaming video or online conference tools on multiple devices. For a better experience, you must manage the bandwidth hoggers, so they don't take all the bandwidth, or else you could have a stronger smart mesh WiFi router.

Router capacity

Sometimes the workspace gadgets technology itself could be a solution. Not every router can handle complex 3D objects equally, just as some computers can barely handle basic web browsing. With over a dozen employees, remote workers, and multiple fax machines, WiFi printers, and wireless security cameras - a low-end router is not going to be able to provide reliable wireless access to the internet for a busy office.

Performance-enhancing features

Various performance-enhancing features are available today on router setups, such as Quality of Service (QoS), Multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), beamforming, and more. Older routers often do not support these cell phone network extender features, so you may have to enable them manually.

Your internet service provider

Frequently, figuring out if your internet service provider is causing poor WiFi performance can take an entire day without you realizing it. One of the best work-from-home hacks is to perform an internet speed test via a wired connection to see if that's really the case. Your ISP should advertise the speeds you measure as download and upload. Should they not, you should contact them.

Some Methods That We’ve Tried Before

Attaching a new antenna for more speed

If you want to speed up your router, you can buy a new antenna for your router setup. The antenna on most consumer-grade routers may not meet your needs. In addition to improving signal quality (and more speed), an amplified aftermarket antenna is a great way to rectify the issue without buying a new device.

Aftermarket options for powered and amplified gear start at around $15 and go all the way up to the low $100s. In addition to their price, plug-in range extenders also function as powered antennas and wireless repeaters. You may experience varying results, but they can improve signal degradation or dead zones in your home.

Keep old wireless protocols disabled

How do you optimize them for speed when it comes to router settings? Turning off old wireless protocols is a good place to start. Many ISPs' service offerings surpass the capabilities of recent routers on the 802.11ac protocol. Even though the router might be fast, some of your devices likely use old protocols - such as 802.11g - which slows down the entire network once the connected device is on the network.

If you see any device using protocols b or g, you should remove it. Ac > n > g > b are the fastest protocols, in order of speed. You can learn how to do this from your router's documentation.

Change the place of the router

Some places are more suitable for your router than others. It would help if you placed your router setup far from appliances that give out electromagnetic waves and from other metal objects. Both of these things disrupt WiFi signals, and when placed in close proximity to a router, the result is the creation of a dead zone.

A WiFi signal might get disrupted by glass, wood, plastics, foam, and cardboard, but their effect on the signal strength is usually less severe. It's a bad idea to place your router close to the metal studs (rather than 2x4 wood) used for particleboard mounting in many buildings.

Electric razors, fluorescent light bulbs, and circuit breakers all emit electromagnetic waves somehow. In the kitchen, microwave ovens, stoves, and dishwashers are the major sources of electromagnetic waves.

Upgrade your router set

Consider a router set upgrade if the above steps are too complicated or aren’t working out for you. Keeping your router updated to the latest software and firmware is one of the best ways to maximize router speed.

While the updated software is normally a security fix, it isn't going to make your router super-fast suddenly. But every incremental improvement is beneficial. You might see a greater boost than you expect if you haven't updated in a while.

Check your ISP for a list of compatible modems. They will be able to test-check multiple options. Your ISP will provide you with a modem that can handle the internet service you've bought.

As for modems that you buy for your own use, you will usually find a list of service providers in the modem's manual and description. Before buying one, make sure you read the manual and description carefully.