How to Make Your Old Router Perform Like New
A Wi-Fi connection that runs too slowly and is not reliable can be annoying, given the fact that your devices can run on much higher speeds. Most individuals believe that the answer is purchasing a new router, but with careful measures you can usually restore your old router to almost like a new one. Be it streaming, gaming, or working remotely, having a well-optimized router is likely to significantly enhance your experience and also save you some money in the process. You can upgrade your system before changing it, and there you will find how much of the performance you have lost may be regained with relatively trivial modifications.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Dust and debris may build up over time in the inside and around your router, resulting in overheating and inefficiency. Mist cleaning the vents and wiping the surface with a soft cloth may be a good way to enhance airflow and signal to keep the device cool when it is heavily used. This might be a minor measure, but ensuring that the heat does not accumulate can help prolong the life of your router and ensure that its performance is stable.
In addition to physical cleaning, similar to physical cleaning, it is recommended that power cables and Ethernet connection are checked as well. The loose or deteriorated cables may lead to the interruption or reduction in the speed of data exchange. The most common and ignored reason that might cause poor Wi-Fi connections is closing all connections and removing broken cords that can make the connection between these parts weak.
Software and Firmware Updating
A router that is old can be improved by updating its firmware to restart it. The updates of the firmware can sometimes contain security patches, performance improvements as well as bugs, which can have a tangible effect on the speed of the device and its stability. The next step is to ensure the updates are done by logging into your router settings using a web browser and following the instructions of the manufacturer. Official updates of the router brand should be used in order to prevent compatibility issues.
In other instances, the installation of different firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWrt can unlock more performance features but it should be only done by an individual who is conversant with the technical settings. Poor installation would spoil the device. In the case of the majority of individuals, periodic official updates suffice to get back a good part of the previous power and reliability of the router.
Managing Connected Devices
Even with a high rate of internet packages, an overloaded router can slow down easily. Unused phones or devices in the smart home can be disconnected to release bandwidth to other more frequently used gadgets. Other routers also display in real time what devices are connected to it so that you can easily know and delete all devices that are not supposed to be on your network.
When you share your multiple user connection, you can also configure Quality of Service (QoS) to place priority on some activities like video calling or video streaming. This makes sure that critical functions are not affected by busy networks. To the performance and plan comparators, the possibilities of the internet providers London Ontario will also allow examining whether your router is matched with the best available connection in your locality.
Maximizing Location and Settings
The location of your router can significantly influence the performance of your router. It can be enhanced by putting-up in a central, open place in your house as opposed to a corner or behind the walls to enhance the signal strength in your living room. It should not be placed around metal objects, the microwaves or cordless phones because they may interfere with it. Even the slightest changes in position can result in a significant change in speed and connectivity of all of your devices through home internet.
Wi-Fi performance can also be killed or made by router settings. Go to the admin panel and look at the available settings like the choice of channels, bandwidth mode and the power of the transmission. Interference by other networks can be minimized by choosing a channel with low traffic, particularly in a high-density region. Provided that your router supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, it can be helpful to divide them and create two networks in order to balance traffic and offer more stable speeds.
These are some of the practical steps before discarding your router, you might want to give them a chance to be revived. Washing, upgrading, enhancing placements, and service of devices can go a long way in improving speed and reliability. By performing some maintenance and paying attention to the details, your old router may remain of use to you, and provide you with a more powerful and reliable connection in the years to come. Maintaining your equipment will make sure you enjoy maximum benefits of having a home network without needless upgrades.
