If the WiFi doesn’t want to work all the time, it can be due to the bad router – or to several other factors. Stiftung Warentest shows simple tips that can be used to remedy the annoyance.
Everyone knows the problem. If the Internet connection is too weak, websites load slowly, social media is no fun and your favorite series on Netflix becomes a stop-motion film. There are many causes, but often the problem is simply the bad WiFi connection. And that can be fixed.
This does not always require a new router, as Warentest has just tested in the new issue (find out more here). As part of the test, the experts also reveal simple tricks that can often be used to improve WLAN performance without buying a new one.
WiFi tips: Location matters
You want the whole apartment to have good reception? Then the router should not be in the last corner. “Position the router in the center of your apartment, not in the corners of a room or in the furthest corners,” advise the experts. Instead, the WLAN transmitter should be placed in the middle of the apartment if possible, according to the council.
Freedom for the router
But it is almost more important that the signal can spread undisturbed. “Water, stone, metal and concrete interfere with the radio field of your router. They often significantly weaken the WiFi signal,” the experts explain. The router should therefore be placed as openly as possible and free from corners or furniture. “Give your router space,” summarizes Warentest.
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If even that is not enough, you may have to expand the network with tools. This can be done with a so-called repeater, which forwards the signal.
Expansion for the network
If the apartment is too big, a mesh system can also be worthwhile. Stiftung Warentest had also just tested this. The technology not only expands the network with several additional transmission points, but also automatically forwards connected devices to ensure the best reception.
Don’t be afraid of cables
If the walls are too thick and the router too weak, you shouldn’t rule out the classic option of cabling. Permanently connected devices such as televisions or desktop computers can usually also be easily connected using a network cable. This not only ensures a stable connection, but also relieves the WLAN. In addition, the devices would often consume less electricity.
You can find the complete test for a fee at test.de.