How to increase Wi-Fi signal strength in your home

Whether you’re working from home, gaming online, or streaming from multiple devices, a powerful and steady Wi-Fi connection is a must. These tips can help you improve your wireless internet connection in your home.

Reboot your router

Before you take any more steps, try rebooting your router—it’s easy, fast, and can solve a lot of common problems that slow down a router’s performance. Learn how to reboot your Brightspeed modem.

Choose the right router

Make sure you’re using a router that supports the latest Wi-Fi protocols, including dual-band Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi 6. For the best connection performance, we recommend using a router/modem combo from Brightspeed. We calibrate these routers for great performance with our networks, and all models feature dual-band and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility.

Position your router centrally

Your Wi-Fi connection's functionality and speed are significantly impacted by the distance and obstructions between your device and the router. Choose a location for your router that is as in the middle as you can manage. Higher locations (like a bookcase, shelf, or upstairs) will usually provide better coverage.

Position your router away from sources of interference:

Physical impediments can also decrease your Wi-Fi speed. Avoid placing in in a closet or on a crowded bookshelf, and try to keep it away from the following:

Avoid placing your router close to heavy, dense appliances and large metal or glass objects.

Update your router firmware

Firmware is the semi-permanent software that performs your router’s basic operations. Updated firmware allows your router to function at its best and adapt to evolving security threats. Most modems and routers complete essential firmware updates automatically.

However, it’s a good idea to make sure you're using the most recent version if you start to experience lag or poor performance. If you’re using a Brightspeed router, check our firmware updates page for more information.

Last but not least, heat sources might also be problematic Make sure your modem is away from radiators and windows that receive direct sunlight and that the area has good airflow. It may perform badly or malfunction if it gets too hot.

Choose the right frequency band

Nearly all modern routers can transmit Wi-Fi signals at two different frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Generally speaking, the 2.4GHz frequency offers better range, while the 5GHz frequency is faster and less prone to interference from other devices.

While many more recent routers enable automatic band-switching, which allows them to identify and switch devices to a faster frequency, you should manually convert to a 5 GHz connection whenever possible if your router is more than a few years old. You can read more about the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, or find out how to manually change the wireless channel on your router to avoid congestion.
 

Enable quality of service (QoS) settings

Quality of service settings allow you to prioritize certain kinds of traffic on your router. For example, depending on your router’s QoS options, you might be able to prioritize video calls using your remote work computer over gaming traffic on your family’s PS5. Look at your router’s instruction manual to learn how to configure its QoS settings.

If you’re struggling to get sufficient Wi-Fi coverage in all areas of your home, consider installing a mesh Wi-Fi system. A mesh WiFi extender works by rebroadcasting your router's current WiFi signal into different rooms of your house.

Larger, multi-level homes may benefit greatly from this option because you may move the access point to another area of the house and extend the wireless range of the router from there. Try running a Wi-Fi speed test in different parts of your house to learn where your signal is weakest and where you might need to place an extender.

Does a Wi-Fi extender work with fiber?

Yes, Brightspeed Wi-Fi extenders are exclusively for Brightspeed Fiber customers.

Disconnect unused devices

Yes, Brightspeed Wi-Fi extenders are exclusively for Brightspeed Fiber customers.

Manage your bandwidth usage

Tasks like downloading software updates or using video conferencing can impact your internet performance because they use a lot of bandwidth. If you’re having problems with internet speed or latency, try to minimize the amount of these activities that you do at once—or upgrade your plan to match your household’s bandwidth needs.

If you find that your current plan isn’t meeting your needs, it might be time to upgrade your internet plan. See What internet speed do I need? for tips on choosing an internet package with all the speed and bandwidth you need for your devices, and browse our full lineup of Brightspeed plans to find one that fits just right.