Have you ever experienced the joy of having a downstairs neighbor who loves to blow up? Taylor Swift At decibels deafeningly high? Or maybe it warms your heart to remember the family upstairs who refused to defend their home. 5 years old From constantly sprinting from room to room in tap shoes? OK, maybe he wasn’t wearing tap shoes. But you get the picture. ah, apartment living.
Then there’s the frustration work remotely while fighting the unevenness WifiYou know the pain points. Audio lags during Zoom meetings, YouTube videos fail to load, and Netflix keeps freezing. Worse, your roommate doesn’t have any problems with the room, but you’re having trouble staying connected.
Buy faster internet speed?
We’ll send you the fastest internet options so you don’t have to hunt for them.
When it comes to getting a clear Wi-Fi signal, my apartment is cluttered with multiple devices, heavy beams, and metal obstacles. large number of devices Request airspace at the same time. It makes you feel helpless. However, there are some steps you can take to improve your signal and improve your Wi-Fi connection in your apartment.
Oh, one more thing.All things being equal, the first thing to do is use another internet service providerHowever, if you live in an apartment, you often don’t have many choices when it comes to ISPs.Many condominiums have a housing contract with a specific ISP, so even if multiple providers are contracted Available in your regionyou may be bound by your lease to stick to what you have.
Alright, enough of the introduction. Let’s dive into it.
Protect your Wi-Fi signal
Press the button for network security It’s an important first step no matter where you live, but it’s especially important if you’re renting an apartment and using the equipment that comes with the location. can. If you’re using a device provided by your internet provider, you should be able to change your information very easily using their app.
If you want to avoid using your ISP’s apps (or have your own router), you can Easily access your router settings to change your Wi-Fi passwordThis doesn’t have to be intimidating. My colleague Ry Crist does a great job of breaking it down for you and making it easier to understand. However, when it comes to new passwords, make sure they are anything but simple. Yes, you may want to keep it simple for easy remembering, but make it difficult for others to crack (and use a password manager to make it easier to remember).
go channel surfing
Routers use two bands (2.4GHz and 5GHz) and each of these bands has a channel for sending and receiving Wi-Fi signals. Wi-Fi issues can be caused by using the same channel as many of your neighbors. So you’re all stuck in the same lane.
The solution is to jump off that busy channel and find a channel with a little less traffic. There are 11 available channels on the 2.4GHz band and 24 on the 5GHz band. Use his Wi-Fi utility on your router (via app or web) to scan for the least used channel available and set your router to that channel.
When doing this internet speed test Compare how Wi-Fi works on different channels. In fact, we recommend running a speed test before changing any settings. That way, you’ll have a baseline of how your Wi-Fi was (barely) working, and you’ll be able to see how these new channels perform in comparison later.
Ideally, you don’t want to do this channel check every day, but if it helps solve your problem, you can rely on it in a pinch.
move the router
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best solution.Possibly the cause of unstable Wi-Fi is Bad router placement. Do you have it in your bookshelf? Is it near or obstructed by large furniture or appliances? Try allowing some space for your router. While it may be tempting to hide it for aesthetic reasons, it can inadvertently interfere with your router’s ability to send a clear signal.
Don’t put your router in the kitchen while we talk about location, location, location. Not only do routers’ signals struggle around all large metal appliances, but microwave ovens in particular also interfere with routers. -Fi connection is interrupted. Lastly, and all that important aside, avoid the kitchen area to reduce the chances of coffee, water, spills, and other food waste destroying your router.
Also, remember the scenario above where your roommate has good Wi-Fi? They may be closer to the router than you are. Try moving your router to the center of your apartment. Not only should the Wi-Fi wealth be shared more fairly, but in theory, router performance should improve as well.
Finally, keep away from other demanding Wi-Fi devices. smart tv again playstationAgain, having all these devices in close proximity to each other interferes with your router’s functionality.
Get a Wi-Fi Extender
Can’t move your router? Not uncommon in apartments. Equipment is often held in place by wires. But not all is lost in this scenario.you can point to wifi extenderThis shouldn’t be a huge investment or commitment, with options ranging from just under $30 to around $100.
Depending on the size of your location, you may only need one Wi-Fi extender. Be sure to put it in a “dead spot” in your apartment and see if you can bring that area into your connected life. A word of caution: getting a Wi-Fi extender does not skip the previous step. For example, you want to continue researching the best channels to use. If you and everyone in the building are using channel 11 or 144, you may still experience problems using a Wi-Fi extender.
Invest in a mesh system
Is your streaming or gaming demand so high that you’re exceeding the capacity of your ISP’s “free” router? You may want to consider affordable options. Invest in good quality mesh router.
This option provides range extension satellites that help extend the signal beyond 100 feet.If you want to integrate your router into your router smart homeespecially those that work with your device (Google, Alexa, HomeKit, etc.).
It’s also worth considering when considering a purchase. If you envision an apartment as a temporary living environment, Wi-Fi 6 and other advanced features. For example, you may want to prioritize your router’s ability to handle multi-gigabit speeds. Or make sure you can add satellites to your system as your home grows in size or number of devices.
One final word
This is probably where I should have started, but go ahead and finish this. If you’re having trouble with your apartment’s Wi-Fi router and your speed is well below what his ISP promised, you should ask. Have you tried rebooting? I know. I don’t like to ask that question either. It makes me feel like an idiot. But sometimes it’s just that simple. Try rebooting your router. But if that doesn’t work, we also have a roadmap of other options for you to try.
Boosting Wi-Fi in Your Apartment FAQ
Since I live in an apartment, will my Wi-Fi speed always be slow?
necessarily. Admittedly, living in an apartment means you have issues with your Wi-Fi connection. That is, the proximity of other neighbors and the potential interference of all their devices and signals. But that doesn’t mean your Wi-Fi is bad. This means that some work may be required to optimize your Wi-Fi experience.
Is there a way to upgrade the Wi-Fi in my apartment?
yes. Probably the easiest way to upgrade your Wi-Fi is to get a faster plan from your internet provider. However, it may not be economically feasible for many. So the next best thing is to move your router to a more central location in your apartment. However, if that doesn’t work, try increasing the range of his Wi-Fi connection in your apartment by purchasing a Wi-Fi extender.
Does the apartment have free Wi-Fi?
it depends. Some apartment complexes are advertised as “free Wi-Fi,” which usually means they have free Wi-Fi connectivity in public areas such as lobbies, gyms, and clubhouses. Usually it doesn’t extend to your apartment. That said, if you qualify for a government license, you basically have free internet, and therefore free Wi-Fi. affordable connection programaims to bring high-speed Internet access to low-income households.
