How to increase WiFi speed at home → The Lezen Blog

In our modern, connected lives, a slow WiFi connection feels less like a minor inconvenience and more like a form of digital torture. That spinning wheel of buffering, the frozen video calls, and the agonizingly slow downloads can turn a relaxing evening into a tech-support nightmare. But before you rage-quit and call your internet service provider (ISP) to pay for a more expensive plan, stop. The solution to your sluggish WiFi often lies not in your monthly bill, but in your own home.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through a systematic, step-by-step approach to diagnosing and fixing your home WiFi woes. We’ll move from simple, five-minute fixes to more advanced hardware upgrades, empowering you to become the master of your own wireless domain. Get ready to banish buffering for good.

Phase 1: The Detective Work – Diagnosing the Real Problem

First, you need to understand what “slow WiFi” actually means. Is it:

Slow Internet Speed? (e.g., Netflix buffers, websites load slowly).
Poor WiFi Coverage? (e.g., great speed in the kitchen, unusable in the bedroom).
Network Congestion? (e.g., everything grinds to a halt when three people are on video calls).

Step 1: The Speed Test Baseline
Use a reliable tool like Speedtest.net (Ookla) or Fast.com.

Do it WIRED first: Connect a laptop directly to your router with an Ethernet cable and run the test. This gives you your maximum potential speed from your ISP.
Then do it WIRELESSLY: Stand right next to your router and run the test on WiFi. Then, go to your problem area and run it again.
Compare the results: If your wired speed is already slow, the issue is with your ISP or modem. Call them. If wired is fast but WiFi near the router is slow, the issue is your router or its settings. If WiFi is only slow in certain rooms, it’s a coverage problem.

Phase 2: The Low-Hanging Fruit – Quick Fixes (0 Cost, 5 Minutes)

These are the simplest things to try, and they often yield surprising results.

1. The Sacred Router Reboot.
It’s a cliché for a reason. Turn your router and modem OFF (unplug them from power). Wait 60 full seconds. This clears their memory caches and can resolve countless glitches. Plug the modem back in first, wait for all lights to stabilize, then plug the router back in.

2. Location, Location, Location.
Your router is not a piece of decorative art to be hidden. Its placement is critical.

Centralize It: Place it as centrally in your home as possible, ideally elevated (on a shelf, not the floor).
Get it Out in the Open: Avoid enclosing it in a cabinet, behind a TV, or under a metal desk. These materials block signals.
Away from Interference: Keep it several feet away from other electronics that emit wireless signals or cause interference: cordless phone bases, baby monitors, Bluetooth speakers, microwave ovens, and especially large metal objects (fridges, filing cabinets).

3. Frequency Band Check: Are You on the Right “Highway”?
Modern routers broadcast two main bands:

2.4 GHz: Longer range, better at penetrating walls, but slower and more congested (used by everything from WiFi to your microwave).
5 GHz: Much faster speeds, less congested, but shorter range and worse at going through walls.
The Fix: Log into your router’s settings (usually by typing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into a browser—check the router’s label). Give your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks different names (e.g., “HomeNetwork-2G” and “HomeNetwork-5G”). Then, manually connect devices:
- For stationary, speed-critical devices (Smart TV, gaming console, desktop near router): Connect to the 5 GHz network.
- For mobile devices or those far from the router (roaming smartphones, garden shed smart device): Connect to the 2.4 GHz network.

Phase 3: The Intermediate Upgrades – Strategic Improvements (Low-to-Moderate Cost)

If the basics haven’t solved it, it’s time to invest a little.

1. Upgrade Your Router (If It’s Old).
Your router is the brain of your network. If it’s more than 3-4 years old, it’s likely holding you back.

Look for Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): This is the current standard. It’s faster, handles multiple devices far more efficiently, and reduces congestion. Even if your devices don’t support Wi-Fi 6 yet, the router will be better and future-proof.
Don’t Overspend on “Extreme” Speeds: A $300 gaming router won’t make your 100 Mbps internet plan any faster than a good $120 Wi-Fi 6 router. Match the router to your ISP plan and home size.

2. Deploy a Mesh WiFi System (The Coverage Solution).
If you have a large home, thick walls, or dead zones, a single router will always struggle. This is where Mesh WiFi shines.

What it is: A set of 2-3 devices (nodes) that work together to blanket your home in a single, seamless network. You place one node connected to your modem, and others in key locations (e.g., middle of house, far bedroom).
Why it’s better than an old “extender”: Traditional extenders create a separate, often slow network with a annoying name (e.g., HomeNetwork_EXT). You have to manually switch between them. A Mesh system is seamless—your device connects to the strongest node automatically as you move.
Top Brands: Google Nest Wifi, Amazon Eero, TP-Link Deco, Netgear Orbi.
Best For: Homes over 2,000 sq ft, multi-story homes, or homes with layout challenges (long and thin, concrete walls).

3. The Power of Ethernet (For Anything That Doesn’t Move).
WiFi is convenient, but a wired Ethernet connection is always faster, more stable, and has lower latency (ping).

Run cables to key devices: Your gaming console, desktop PC, and Smart TV are the prime candidates. This takes them off the crowded WiFi highway entirely, freeing up bandwidth and giving you a rock-solid connection.
Use Powerline Adapters as a Last Resort: Can’t run cables through walls? Powerline adapters use your home’s electrical wiring to transmit data. Plug one in near your router (connected via Ethernet) and one in your problem room (then connect a device to it). Results vary wildly based on your home’s wiring. Try them from a store with a good return policy.

Phase 4: The Advanced Tweaks – For the Tech-Savvy

1. Log Into Your Router’s Dashboard.
Beyond naming bands, you can optimize settings.

Change the WiFi Channel: On the 2.4 GHz band, most routers default to channels 1, 6, or 11. If your neighbors are all on channel 6, you’re causing interference for each other. Use a free app like WiFi Analyzer (Android) to see the least congested channel and switch to it in your router settings.
Update Router Firmware: Manufacturers release updates that improve performance and security. Check for updates in the router admin panel monthly.
Enable QoS (Quality of Service): This feature lets you prioritize traffic. You can tell your router “Video calls and gaming are more important than file downloads.” This can prevent one person’s massive download from killing everyone else’s Zoom meeting.

2. Audit and Secure Your Network.

Kick Off Unknown Devices: Check the list of connected devices in your router admin. If you see something you don’t own, change your WiFi password immediately. A neighbour leaching your bandwidth will slow you down.
Use a Strong, Modern Password: Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption. Avoid easily guessable passwords.

3. Optimize Your Devices.

Update Everything: Ensure your laptops, phones, and tablets have the latest OS updates, which often include driver improvements for WiFi.
Forget and Rejoin the Network: On a problematic device, tell it to “Forget This Network” and then reconnect fresh. This can clear corrupted connection data.

The Systematized Action Plan: What to Do, In Order

Run a wired speed test. If it’s slow, call your ISP.
Reboot your router/modem.
Reposition your router to a central, open location.
Split your 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks and connect devices intelligently.
Change your WiFi channel (especially on 2.4 GHz).
Connect stationary, important devices via Ethernet where possible.
If coverage is the issue, invest in a Mesh WiFi system.
If your router is ancient, upgrade to a Wi-Fi 6 model.
Secure your network and update all firmware.

Conclusion: You Have the Power

Slow WiFi is rarely a mystery. It’s almost always a solvable combination of poor placement, outdated hardware, and network congestion. By methodically working through this guide—starting with the free fixes and moving to strategic investments—you can almost always achieve a dramatic improvement without needing to pay your ISP another penny.

Your home network is a vital utility. Taking control of it is one of the most impactful tech investments you can make. Stop cursing the buffering icon and start optimizing. Your faster, more reliable digital life awaits.