How to improve your WiFi connection when working from home

In today's remote work era, reliable Wi-Fi is crucial; improve your connection by optimizing router placement, upgrading to a mesh system, reducing interference, managing devices, and securing your network to enhance productivity.

In today's era of remote work, a strong and reliable Wi-Fi connection has become essential. As many people continue to work from home, encountering issues with Wi-Fi connectivity can be incredibly frustrating. The New York Times offers some practical advice to help enhance your home Wi-Fi experience, ensuring a smoother and more productive workday.

First and foremost, it's important to place your router in an optimal location. Routers should be centrally located and elevated, avoiding placement in cabinets or behind other obstructions. This allows the signal to cover a wider area without interference. If your home has multiple floors, consider placing the router on the middle floor for even coverage.

Upgrading your router can also make a significant difference. Older routers might not support the latest Wi-Fi standards, resulting in slower speeds and weaker signals. Investing in a newer model, particularly a mesh Wi-Fi system, can provide more robust coverage and better performance throughout your home. The latest technologies in WiFi routers such as WiFi 6 can have a significant impact in your connection, speed and latency.

Another key tip is to minimize interference from other electronic devices. Appliances like microwaves, cordless phones, and even baby monitors can disrupt your Wi-Fi signal. Keeping your router away from these devices and using the 5 GHz frequency band, if your router supports it, can help avoid congestion and interference.

Moreover, managing your connected devices is crucial. Too many devices connected to your network can strain your bandwidth. Prioritize essential devices for your work and limit the usage of non-essential ones during work hours. If possible, connect bandwidth-intensive devices via Ethernet cables for a more stable connection.

Having numerous home security cameras can significantly consume your bandwidth and slow down your internet connection. Each camera continuously streams high-definition video to your network, requiring substantial data transfer. This constant data flow can congest your network, especially if multiple cameras are operating simultaneously. As a result, other devices connected to the same network, such as computers, smartphones, and smart home devices, may experience reduced speeds and performance issues. To mitigate this, it's crucial to manage your cameras' video quality settings, schedule recording times, and consider using a dedicated network for your security system.

Finally, keeping your network secure is vital. Ensure your Wi-Fi network is password-protected and use strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized access. Regularly updating your router's firmware can also help maintain security and improve performance.

By following these tips, you can make your Wi-Fi more reliable and efficient, making working from home a more seamless and enjoyable experience.