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Remote learning with kids this week? Unstable internet connection? Wifi drop-outs?
This thread is for you!
Let's get you some help. Mostly for free. There's some technical stuff, but if you can follow recipes, you're all good.
This thread is for you!
Let's get you some help. Mostly for free. There's some technical stuff, but if you can follow recipes, you're all good.
First, it's important to understand the difference between your 'internet connection' and 'wifi'.
You can improve both.
Think of it a bit like water and pipes coming into your house and running through your house. If either are narrow (or blocked!) you've got issues.
You can improve both.
Think of it a bit like water and pipes coming into your house and running through your house. If either are narrow (or blocked!) you've got issues.
Let's deal with your internet connection first. Find the speed of your connection by disconnecting other devices and going to this site:
https://www.speedtest.net
(ensure you're connected to home wifi, bonus points for using a cable to plug a laptop into your router)
https://www.speedtest.net
(ensure you're connected to home wifi, bonus points for using a cable to plug a laptop into your router)
Compare the speed you're getting with what you're paying for. Check it several times over a day.
Big difference? Get in touch with your ISP and complain! They can run a line test and send an engineer out.
Your internet speed limits the speed of your effective wifi.
Big difference? Get in touch with your ISP and complain! They can run a line test and send an engineer out.
Your internet speed limits the speed of your effective wifi.
Your ISP connects you to the internet. There's a layer between that called 'DNS' which you can switch to be faster and safer.
The exact configuration depends on the router you got from your ISP (or you bought). But I recommend following the instructions at https://1.1.1.1/family
The exact configuration depends on the router you got from your ISP (or you bought). But I recommend following the instructions at https://1.1.1.1/family
Next up, let's make sure your neighbours' wifi signals aren't interfering with yours.
This Android app shows which wifi 'channels' you and your neighbours are using: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en
There's also similar apps for Apple: https://www.igeeksblog.com/best-iphone-ipad-wifi-analyzer-apps/
This Android app shows which wifi 'channels' you and your neighbours are using: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en
There's also similar apps for Apple: https://www.igeeksblog.com/best-iphone-ipad-wifi-analyzer-apps/
To change your DNS settings, you had to go into your router's settings.
Use the same login details to change the 'channel' of your wifi to ones that won't conflict with your neighbours'.
You might have to do this for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz connections.
Use the same login details to change the 'channel' of your wifi to ones that won't conflict with your neighbours'.
You might have to do this for both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz connections.
So far, these tips have not involved spending any money. You can get a long way with them.
But if you have a single router and lots of devices, that's a bottleneck. So you might want to look into installing a 'mesh network' in your house. https://uk.pcmag.com/wireless-networking/87178/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems
But if you have a single router and lots of devices, that's a bottleneck. So you might want to look into installing a 'mesh network' in your house. https://uk.pcmag.com/wireless-networking/87178/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems
One final very practical tip I'd give is to turn on your mobile phone hotspot when you're on a video conference call.
Make sure your laptop has the connection details to the hotspot.
Then, if your home wifi drops, your laptop should seamlessly switch to your hotspot
Make sure your laptop has the connection details to the hotspot.
Then, if your home wifi drops, your laptop should seamlessly switch to your hotspot
Do you have some tips that would help others? Add them to this thread! 
(also, I can't provide individual tech support to everyone, but if you're really stuck kind people might reply if they can help?)
(also, I can't provide individual tech support to everyone, but if you're really stuck kind people might reply if they can help?)
