For many of us, having a stable and reliable internet connection is a necessity. We rely on it for surfing the web, working from home, streaming our favorite movies and shows, and so much more. Because it’s such an essential aspect of our lives, we asked our customer service team about the most common mistakes people make with their home wi-fi network.
-
Not having enough speed
2020 has dramatically changed the way we use our internet. With parents working from home and kids having online learning, households are using the internet more than ever! One of the things people forget about is how this affects their internet speed and have not adjusted it to their new internet usage needs.
Think of your internet as a water pipe. Before the added use, you had enough water moving through the pipeline. However, with your new internet needs, it’s like turning on additional faucets, and you may see less water pressure than usual.
The same thing happens with your wi-fi speed. When the whole family is home, your wi-fi gets divided between all the devices connected to your router resulting in a slower connection.
If you are experiencing this, we recommend upgrading your speed.
(What internet speed is right for you?)
-
Not placing your router in the center of the home
Your router is the heart of your connection to the internet, which sends wi-fi signals throughout your home like ripples in water. When you don’t place your router in the center of your home, you reduce your coverage and wi-fi capacity because the ripples are most likely not reaching every corner of your home.
We recommend placing your router in the center of your home, so your wi-fi signal is spread throughout your whole home. If you have a large home or a home with multiple levels, you may need a wi-fi extender.
(How to choose the right router for your home)
-
Not having wi-fi security set-up
One of the most important elements of your home wi-fi network is having security set-up. Would you want a stranger breaking into your home? Most likely, no. It’s an invasion of privacy and safety for your family. To make sure your home is safe your Security should be both physically and digitally sound. At a minimum, we recommend:
- Access Control: Having password-protected access to your home wi-fi network prevents your network from being hacked and your neighbors stealing your wi-fi.
- Anti-virus and Malware: The internet can be a dangerous place when it comes to scammers, hackers, and viruses. To combat these attacks and keep you and your family safe, we recommend having anti-virus and malware on all your internet connecting devices.
You will also want to make sure the security on your home network will be able to update, so as new threats arise, your security will be able to adapt and remain protected.
(How strong is your wi-fi password?)
-
Having too many devices connected at the same time
Did you know that having too many devices connected to your network at the same time can slow down your internet? From smart thermostats to doorbells and even lights, you may be connecting more devices to your network than you think.
Your router has an antenna or antennas that work as a highway for your devices. When you connect too many devices to the same network, overcrowding can occur, and your devices compete against each other to connect to your router’s antenna. The result of this can be buffering, slow browser speeds, and latency.
To help solve this and get all your connected devices up and running, we recommend a router with either multi-band or tri-band signal. When you have a router with multiple bands, it’s like adding a lane to the highway, which allows for more devices to connect.
(Top 5 favorite features of Plume our staff raves about)
-
Using an outdated router, or internet connecting devices
Is your router or internet connecting device five years or older? The technology landscape is always evolving, and your older equipment or internet connecting device can interfere with your internet experience.
Older routers are often not made to handle higher internet speeds. It might max out at a lower speed resulting in blocking the bandwidth distributed throughout your home.
Also, when you use older internet connecting devices, they are not designed to handle higher internet speeds, resulting in a slower internet experience.
We recommend updating your router every three to four years, so you know you are getting as much internet speed as possible. It is also a good idea to keep an eye on your older technology and replace it when you start experiencing connectivity issues.
If you have other questions on avoiding common mistakes with your wi-fi network, our customer service team is standing by.