Does your home WiFi work better in some rooms compared to others? Is it running as fast as it could be? If you notice the WiFi signal bar on your smartphone, tablet or computer seems to be pretty low, your devices or home layout may be interfering with the WiFi signal coming from your router.
Don’t stress – there are some simple changes you can make to get your home WiFi signal in ship-shape. We’ve put together some handy tips to help you make the most out of your home WiFi and get the fastest, strongest signal possible.
These days, most routers and WiFi devices feature 5GHz AC WiFi, a newer technology that offers faster performance than its predecessors. However, routers and WiFi devices typically also offer backwards compatibility with the older 2.4GHz N WiFi, which doesn’t perform as well and is prone to more interference. Many people use the weaker 2.4GHz by default or simply out of habit. The problem is that so many devices today are using bandwidth on the older 2.4GHz N WiFi network, from phones and computers to WiFi or Bluetooth-enabled household appliances, that it can cause major local congestion.
The newer 5GHz AC WiFi is less congested simply because it has much more bandwidth available to be shared between multiple devices.
When it comes to devices that you use for applications such as streaming video, downloads and social media, it’s strongly recommended to use 5GHz AC WiFi wherever possible for a faster, more reliable connection. Switch over your devices today and see the change for yourself!
If you have a TP-Link VR1600v or TG-789 Broadband Gateway supplied by us, you’re in luck! These models have 5GHz AC WiFi.
For all other modems, check its barcode sticker for details about a 5G WiFi network – this will include the default WiFi network name and password. Then have a go at connecting – there’s no harm done if it doesn’t work.
Once you’ve got all your devices connected, you may notice an immediate improvement in WiFi performance, but there’s still some other things you can check to get the best experience possible.
While 5GHz AC WiFi does offer better performance compared to older 2.4GHz WiFi networks, it does have a shorter range and lower “signal penetration” (that’s tech-talk for it doesn’t travel through objects as well). This range should be big enough to cover the average apartment or house, but if you live in a larger house or have thick walls, the solution may be as simple as relocating your router.
When choosing a location for your WiFi router, aim for the following:
When you’re already confident in your WiFi setup, it can be frustrating when the signal drops out of the blue. With the sheer number of wireless devices in the typical modern home, a common culprit for unexpected signal drops can simply be increased background activity. At any moment, our phones, laptops, gaming systems or any number of other devices may suddenly decide to do a system update, or back-up our files to the cloud, causing slower performance across the whole household. What may look like a WiFi drop may actually be your internet connection running out of bandwidth for all your connected devices.
If you are experiencing intermittent speed issues or buffering when streaming videos, check if your broadband plan is suitable for your needs. Westnet NBN™ has a range of different speed options. You can see what’s available by checking your address on our website.
If you’re experiencing poor speeds or dropouts on your WiFi, setting your WiFi channel bandwidth to 20MHz only may resolve the issue. This handy guide will show you how to make this change on Westnet routers. If you have a third-party device, please check their website for support information.
Sometimes the size or construction of your home just isn’t optimised for a WiFi signal, but that doesn’t mean that you don’t have options!
Do you have a tip to boost your WiFi performance? Share it in the comments.
Correction of grammar:
On a desk or elevated shelf – WiFi signal travels better “downwards” because there’s FEWER obstacles for the signal to pass through, so starting out on the floor is a disadvantage.
HELP – I do not understand the bit I need to understand.
I am assuming I should try 5GHz, but how?
I live in Morley, Western Australia, and am on the NBN network. My modem is a TG789vac3. It specifies 2.4GHz network name as iiNet B2701B, and the 5GHz network name as iiNetB2701B-5G. But how do I determine if I am connected to the 2.4 or the 5 GHz network? Or, how do change from 2.4 to 5?
I complained about six months ago regarding my WIFI and was told my router was obsolete and I would be sent a new one…………………………..STILL WAITING!
I really need more mobile data for what im paying , like about 10 gb for when away in the caravan (long term customer )
Regards Terry
I do not understand the bit about moving the router for a better signal. Mine is plugged into the broadband meter. How can it be used without doing this.
Not happy with the way I was set up by westnet/iinet. I have been with iinet for quite a number of years and moved to westnet when NBN came into being. Noone came to have a look where to put the mmodem I just received one and then I had to get connected by the west net guys tyrying hard to understand what they were talking about as I do not know much about computers. My friend went with Telstr and THEY came to her house set her up and she had not stress like me with you guys. I now do NOT get wifi in my kitchen like I used to and complained, After sometime I was eventually told my modem was too far away and it did not reach the kitchen where I use my computer especially in the winter. So you can say that since westnet and NBN I have not used wifi as much as I would have normally and that is all thhanks to you because you could not take the time to come and see where I should have put the modem. Am not happy at all with westnet.
I am not happy with my wifi I cannot ring Israel and I used to be able to I can message but when I ring I can hear and there is nothing on the other end
I’ve got the most basic package – Seniors Card Special at $39.95 per month and I’m experienced no problems since changing over to the NBN last year. I can stream video without any loss of quality so I’m a a very satisfied iinet/ Westnet customer. Keep up the great work!