Speed up Wi‑Fi: 9 simple ways

**Speed Up Wi-Fi: 9 Simple Ways**

If your Wi-Fi has become slow, pages take a long time to open, videos keep buffering, or the internet disappears in distant rooms, you do not always need to buy a new router right away. In many cases, speed can be improved with simple settings and proper router placement.

**1. Restart the router**

The easiest step is to unplug the router for 30–60 seconds and then turn it back on. Sometimes a router works for weeks without restarting, which can cause freezes, overheating, and lower speed.

**2. Place the router higher and closer to the center of the home**

Do not place the router on the floor, behind a cabinet, under a table, or near metal objects. It is better to place it higher and closer to the center of the apartment or house. The fewer walls between the router and your device, the better the signal.

**3. Do not place the router near sources of interference**

Wi-Fi may work worse near:

microwave ovens;
TVs;
Bluetooth speakers;
thick walls;
mirrors;
metal cabinets;
other routers.

If the router is in a corner or behind appliances, try moving it to another place.

**4. Check who is connected to your Wi-Fi**

If many devices are connected to the network, the speed may drop. This is especially noticeable if someone is watching videos, downloading files, or playing online games.

Open the router settings and check the list of connected devices. If you see unknown devices, change the Wi-Fi password.

**5. Change the Wi-Fi password**

Use a strong password. It is better not to use simple options like `12345678`, `password`, a phone number, or a name.

A good password should contain letters, numbers, and symbols. After changing the password, unwanted devices will be disconnected from the network.

**6. Switch to 5 GHz if your router supports it**

Many modern routers work in two bands:

2.4 GHz — reaches farther, but speed is lower and there is more interference.
5 GHz — faster, but does not pass through walls as well.

If you are close to the router, use 5 GHz. For distant rooms, 2.4 GHz may sometimes work better.

**7. Change the Wi-Fi channel**

In apartment buildings, there are many neighboring Wi-Fi networks. If many of them work on the same channel, speed can drop.

You can choose another channel in the router settings. For 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6, or 11 are often used. Sometimes setting the channel manually works better than automatic selection.

**8. Update the router firmware**

Old firmware can work unstably. You can check for updates on the manufacturer’s website or in the router settings. During the update, it is very important not to turn off the power, otherwise the router may stop working.

**9. Test the speed with a cable**

If Wi-Fi is slow, you need to understand whether the problem is with Wi-Fi or with the internet connection itself. Connect a computer to the router with a cable and check the speed.

If the speed is normal by cable, the problem is likely with Wi-Fi or router settings.
If the speed is also slow by cable, the problem may be with the provider or your tariff plan.

**When to contact a specialist**

If Wi-Fi disconnects every day, the speed is much lower than your tariff, the router overheats, the internet works only near the router, or you cannot access the settings, it is better to run diagnostics.

Sometimes the problem can be solved by choosing the right channel, updating firmware, replacing the cable, or moving the router. Sometimes the router is simply too old and cannot handle the number of connected devices.

If you want, create a topic on the PROXAK forum and write the router model, provider, tariff plan, where the router is located, and on which devices the internet disappears. With this information, it will be easier to give accurate advice.