Whether you work from home or enjoy spending your free time online, you may be wondering how to increase your broadband speed.
It can be frustrating if your Wi-Fi isn’t strong enough for you to watch your favorite show or browse social media.
To help you out, Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) website has shared some ways you can improve your broadband speed.
8 ways to increase your broadband speed
You can learn more about broadband speed on the MSE website.
Who is Martin Lewis?
Put your router in the right place
MSE says: “When using Wi-Fi, of course the closer you are to the router, the better your signal will be and therefore the faster your broadband will be.
“Since Wi-Fi signals cannot pass through large objects such as thick walls, it is crucial that you have a clear path for the signal to travel to your laptop, tablet or smartphone.”
To help you place your router in the right place, it is said that you should place it in a central location and place it in an elevated position so that there are no obstacles in its path.
You should also avoid storing your router in a cabinet or drawer, and avoid trying to camouflage it by surrounding it with photos or decorations.
Make sure your router is plugged into the best socket, as MSE says: “Try using more than one phone socket to see if you can get better speeds, but plugging your router directly into your main phone socket usually works best.
“Remember that the distance between your router and devices should be kept to the minimum possible.”
Ethernet cables can help increase your broadband speed
Ethernet cables can transfer data faster than Wi-Fi because they do not encrypt data, but wireless routers do.
MSE has more benefits: “Other benefits include much less interference, so you don’t have to worry about what frequency your neighbor is using, and a more reliable connection for devices like gaming consoles and PCs that don’t need to be moved around the room .
Broadband speed can be increased at home (Image: Getty)
Don’t place your router near other devices
Wireless devices, including routers, are prone to interference; so turn off all electrical devices except the router and do a broadband speed test; Did you notice a difference?
Things that can affect your signal include cordless phones, baby monitors, halogen lights, dimmer switches, stereos, speakers, TVs, and monitors.
Microwaves may also have an effect, according to Ofcom.
Wireless booster can help
MSE says: “Wireless boosters are designed for those with large homes or black spots where the signal is not strong enough.
“But the device only expands the wireless signal; It won’t improve your overall broadband speed or bandwidth.
“Boosters generally work with any provider, so you don’t need to be with someone in particular to use them.”
Your supplier may send one for free, so check with them before purchasing.
Turn off Wi-Fi on unused devices
More devices connecting to your Wi-Fi means your broadband speed will decrease.
Since smartphones and tablets often run in the background, disconnect from Wi-Fi when not in use.
How to reduce your energy bills
Use voice calls instead of video
If you’re working at home and making calls using Wi-Fi, turning off your video can help your broadband speed, as using audio only requires less internet connection.
You can also try starting calls outside of peak hours, such as an hour or half hour.
Try to manage your family’s online activity; so you’re not all trying to video call, game, or HD stream at the same time.
For example, you can pre-download the video instead of streaming.
Extend your router’s range using home electricity
“Virgin Media recommends powerline adapters over boosters, which use your electrical wiring to send the router signal to other parts of your home,” MSE says.
You need to use the router’s adapter to connect the router to the nearest outlet; This means your internet connection is routed around your home.
MSE then adds that “ideally, you should plug another adapter into an outlet where you’re experiencing weak signal and you should see a noticeable improvement in connection strength.”
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“You can then connect your laptop or other device via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, depending on the kit you choose,” he adds.
Spring clean your computer
There are some things you can check on your computer to help with broadband speed. These include checking that your antivirus is up to date and making sure you have the latest browser.
Clear your cache, stop automatic updates and stop background apps; this can also help your broadband speed.