How Does A Router Effect Internet Speed?

Slower download speeds and constant buffering while you are streaming an episode of Bojack Horseman can really push you to your limits, even when you are the calmest person in the room. You might curse your internet service provider, but your ISP is not always the culprit. 

Unsurprisingly, your Wi-Fi router plays a crucial part in getting you a fast and reliable internet connection. This piece of hardware needs to be advanced enough to push powerful speeds, otherwise you cannot hope to enjoy the full extent of bandwidth you get through even the best of internet options like Frontier internet plans. This article posits that you cannot enjoy a better connection until you get a new wireless router for your home. 

Here is what you need to understand:

What does a Wireless Router do?

A wireless router is a gateway that connects your smart devices to the internet. As the name indicates, it “routes” the traffic between all the devices in your home and your broadband connection.
We cannot emphasize the importance of getting a perfectly compatible router enough, as it can help you enjoy faster download speeds, seamless connectivity, and protect you from various cyber threats.

How does a router work?

In a typical household, there are several devices that need to be connected to the web, such as smartphones, laptops, computers, tablets, smart TVs, printers, and more. All these devices form a network in a home, which is powered by your router, as it directs the outgoing and incoming internet traffic by choosing the fastest and the most efficient way.
The information traveling on your network can be different. It could be as simple as an email or a live feed from the baby cam that requires a lot of bandwidth. A router makes sure that the information is quickly delivered, which happens to be a big task. As you add more and more devices, you ask your router to do more too.
Therefore, it should meet the needs of your household.

How does it affect your Internet Speed?

Since we have already established what a wireless router is and how it works, it is simple to understand its effects on your download speeds. If your routine activities, such as high-definition streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime, online gaming or downloading, exceed the bandwidth capacity of your router, your internet will suffer.
Secondly, it is the main component which ensures the signal stability of your internet. If the key component is broken or outdated, the connectivity will suffer.

How can you increase your router’s performance?

If your router is malfunctioning or outdated, here are a few things that you can do:
Move your router: Sometimes, all you need to do to get a better connection is move your router. It is important that you place the router in a room where your family members spend their most time. Position your router in a clear line of sight, three feet above the floor, and pick a corner away from cordless telephones and televisions. These devices may affect performance.
Replace the antenna: All the routers are pre-equipped with an omnidirectional antenna that projects signals in all directions over a broad area. However, if you primarily use the internet from one location, such as a lounge or home office, you do not necessarily need an omnidirectional antenna. Replace it with a single-directional antenna and you will experience better signal strength and performance.
Reboot your router: Sometimes, your router may face connectivity and speed issues that can be sorted simply by rebooting your router. Press the reset button and unplug your router for 3-5 minutes. Plug it back again. This simple step could improve your internet speed.
Use a password: If your internet is slow, there might be a chance that some unauthorized users or neighbors are using your network. By protecting your wireless network with a password will limit their access and make your network secure. Just make sure that your password is a mixture of upper and lower case letters.
In case nothing works for you, change your internet service provider and sign-up for a package that has enough bandwidth to meet the requirements of your household.