Ways to Improve Your In-Home WiFi Network (2024)

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Need more help with your WiFi connection? Visit our In-Home WiFi Support page or our Homeowner's Guide to Improving WiFi.

A wired Ethernet connection always provides the fastest speeds. However, in today's wireless world, optimizing your in-home WiFi to achieve the best speeds and connectivity is essential. Use the following recommendations to improve your WiFi.

  • Equipment Placement
  • Security
  • Compatible Equipment
  • Using Panoramic Wifi Pods

Equipment Placement

Place your WiFi modem, wireless extender, or router in a central location in your home, away from interference from metal objects, mirrors, microwaves, and cordless phones. For example, an optimal location may be on the second floor of your home, keeping the WiFi equipment high and unobstructed.

Ways to Improve Your In-Home WiFi Network (1)

Security

A secure in-home WiFi network can prevent others from connecting to your WiFi, stealing bandwidth and data, and reducing internet speeds. The recommended setting is WiFi Protected Access II (WPA2), the best security available. WPA2 is required for 802.11n and 802.11ac WiFi standards. Although modems do not automatically come with firewalls, you can download firewall software to your connected devices. For more information about securing your WiFi network, refer to Ways to Secure Your Wireless Network.

Note: Cox Panoramic WiFi Modems are pre-configured with WiFi and security settings.

Compatible Equipment

Slow speeds can be the result of having an older modem. Make sure you have the right equipment by checking Cox Certified Cable Modems. Below are some recommendations to improve your experience.

TopicSuggestions
Choosing the right modem or gateway
  • A DOCSIS 3.1 modem is required for Go Super Fast (1 Gig) or higher speeds over DOCSIS and is recommended for all Cox Internet tiers.
  • Refer to Cox Certified Cable Modems for more information.
Dual-band WiFi modems and routers

The primary differences between the 2.4 and 5 GHz wireless frequencies are range (distance) and bandwidth (speed).

  • 5 GHz provides faster Internet at a shorter distance, whereas 2.4 GHz offers coverage for farther distances but may perform at slower speeds.
  • If you think about 5 GHz like a highway, it’s like having more lanes and less traffic on the highway – so you can go faster!
  • First, You must ensure that devices, such as tablets, smartphones, or laptops, can read the 5 GHz Network. If the device is dual band-capable, you should see two SSID / Network names; one with 2.4 or 2.4 GHz and another labeled with 5G or 5 GHz.
  • Use devices that can connect to the 5 GHz network near your WiFi modem or router. If you are far from your WiFi modem or router, the 2.4 GHz is recommended.
  • If you are renaming your Network SSID, select a different and unique name for each WiFi network that helps you identify both the 2.4 and 5 GHz networks.

    Note: Using a Panoramic Wifi Gateway, use only one SSID / Network name for both networks. Refer to Using a Single In-Home WiFi Network Name and Password.

  • The optimal channel setting for each wireless network is automaticor auto. Auto allows the WiFi modem or router to select the channel with the least congestion.
  • Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 differ in the maximum theoretical speeds and how each handles WiFi networks with many connected devices. With a Wi-Fi 6 gateway or router, the focus is on improving the network when multiple devices are connected.
Internet devices

Are your internet devices a few years old? As wireless technology advances, the speed and wireless performance of new devices continue to improve. Using older technology, such as a laptop, tablet, or other devices, can slow down the performance of all the devices on your network.

Using Panoramic Wifi Pods

Panoramic Wifi pods pair with a Panoramic Wifi gateway and are controlled from the Cox Panoramic Wifi app to create a mesh WiFi network. Mesh WiFi networks are designed to increase WiFi coverage but not increase speeds. Pods help eliminate dead spots where WiFi coverage drops or is weak to improve your online experience. To learn more, refer to Understanding Panoramic Wifi Pods.

Ways to Improve Your In-Home WiFi Network (2024)

FAQs

Ways to Improve Your In-Home WiFi Network? ›

Wi-Fi boosters work by amplifying the Wi-Fi signal and improving the Wi-Fi signal strength. This can help to improve Wi-Fi connectivity and help reduce interference from other devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

Do WiFi boosters really work? ›

Wi-Fi boosters work by amplifying the Wi-Fi signal and improving the Wi-Fi signal strength. This can help to improve Wi-Fi connectivity and help reduce interference from other devices on the same Wi-Fi network.

How can I make my WiFi run better? ›

For the best signal, put the wireless router out in the open on the main floor of your house, away from walls and obstructions. Ideally, you'll want to position it off the floor, above the furniture. Keep it away from other electronics that might cause interference, like microwaves, baby monitors, and cordless phones.

How can I improve my WiFi usage? ›

You can increase WiFi speeds by:
  1. Moving your router.
  2. Power cycling your equipment.
  3. Securing your WiFi.
  4. Upgrading to a faster internet connection.
  5. Using the latest WiFi technologies.
  6. Replacing your equipment.
  7. Updating your firmware.
  8. Getting a WiFi extender.
Dec 8, 2023

Do network boosters actually work? ›

Do Signal Boosters Really Work? As long as you have a sliver of 5G, 4G, or LTE signals, FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and IC (Industry Canada) certified signal boosters, like those from weBoost and WilsonPro, do work as claimed. They'll improve your signal strength for reliable calls and faster data.

What is the difference between a WiFi extender and a WiFi booster? ›

In reality, these two terms refer to the same type of device: hardware that is designed to improve the coverage of a WiFi network. However, different manufacturers may use the terms “booster” and “extender” interchangeably, making it difficult to determine the specific meaning of each term.

How do I improve my WiFi network? ›

10 tips to help improve your wireless network
  1. Choose a central location. ...
  2. Move your router off the floor. ...
  3. Replace your router's antenna. ...
  4. Reduce wireless interference. ...
  5. Replace your device wireless card-based network adapter. ...
  6. Add a wireless repeater. ...
  7. Change your wireless channel. ...
  8. Update your firmware or network adapter driver.

How do I fix slow Wi-Fi at home? ›

Why is my Wi-Fi so slow and how can I fix it?
  1. Check your router location and do a restart.
  2. Test whether your bandwidth is low.
  3. Scan for viruses and other malware.
  4. Too many devices connected.
  5. Check your device.
  6. Reinstall your network drivers.
  7. Change your DNS server.
Aug 30, 2023

How to boost Wi-Fi signal with aluminum foil? ›

After cutting a single sheet of aluminum foil, I folded it into a “C” shape, with the shiny side facing inward, and placed it beside my router, making sure the concave part faced toward my porch. When I went outside and ran the speed test again, the download speeds had slightly improved, bumping up to 35 Mbps.

How can security be improved in a Wi-Fi network? ›

Contents
  1. Change the default name of your home Wi-Fi.
  2. Make your wireless network password unique and strong.
  3. Enable network encryption.
  4. Turn off network name broadcasting.
  5. Keep your router's software up to date.
  6. Make sure you have a good firewall.
  7. Use VPNs to access your network.

How do I block neighbors from using my Wi-Fi? ›

How to protect your Wi-Fi
  1. Change your password. How can you stop neighbors from using your wireless internet? ...
  2. Update your router's firmware. It's important to update your router's firmware to keep its security up to date. ...
  3. Hide your SSID. ...
  4. Choose a router that supports WPA3. ...
  5. Use a VPN.
Feb 11, 2022

How can I get better Wi-Fi around my house? ›

Keep your wireless router surrounded by open air, away from walls and obstructions, to prevent interference and overheating. Place your router in the center of your house, if possible, so the signal can reach to each corner of the house with ease.

How to speed up home WiFi? ›

The best way to speed up the connection between the router and your device is to move closer and select the best frequency band (if possible) for the application you're using. Also, make sure nothing is blocking the signal. Read our guide on how to extend your Wi-Fi range for more tips.

Why is my WiFi signal so weak in my house? ›

Obstacles, like distance and thick walls and floors makes the WiFi signal strength weak or non-existent. If this is the signal strength issue you are facing, consider WiFi extenders to boost the reach of your WiFi signal throughout your home.

What are the disadvantages of a WiFi booster? ›

Drawbacks of WiFi Extenders
  • Interference. WiFi extenders can sometimes interfere with other devices in your home – even your existing router. ...
  • Performance. WiFi extenders are not always reliable and can often slow down your internet connection. ...
  • Has to be in the Right Position. ...
  • The WiFi Experience is Not Seamless.

Can you really boost WiFi signal? ›

Wireless repeaters are handy devices that rebroadcast a wireless signal, strengthening the signal from your router to other floors or the opposite side of a building. You can place one anywhere there's an outlet, but look for locations that are halfway between your router, modem, or access point and your device.

Do WiFi boosters make WiFi slower? ›

They do not improve the strength or quality of the signal they receive — if the booster receives a poor signal, it can only repeat a weak signal. If anything, they can harm your speed by reducing bandwidth. Think of them as a relay system for your home's wireless connection.

How far will a WiFi extender reach outside? ›

Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) Introduced in 2009, Wi-Fi 4 operates primarily on the 2.4GHz frequency but can also function on 5GHz. Typical indoor range for Wi-Fi 4 is up to 70 meters (230 feet), while outdoor range can stretch up to 250 meters (820 feet).

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