How to maximise Wi-Fi speeds at home

This support article will provide tips to maximise your Wi-Fi speeds.

Modem location

It’s best to position your modem in a central location. It’s also advised to keep it away from your kitchen, as microwaves can interfere with the signal. Similarly, keep it away from other Bluetooth devices and devices broadcasting Wi-Fi as they can also disturb the frequency of your modem. If you find the only available power outlets or connection points restrict your options, then a Wi-Fi extender could help get your Wi-Fi signal into more places in your home.

Try another frequency

Most modems support dual band Wi-Fi and will send Wi-Fi signals at a frequency of 2.4GHz and 5GHz, with each having its own advantages. 2.4GHz has a good range and is a bit more effective at getting through walls while 5GHz has a larger bandwidth and reduced interference resulting in faster speeds. Most modems today are set to 2.4GHz out of the box so if you find you’re struggling with your WiFi speed, you can try choosing the 5GHz frequency to see if it has a positive effect. All you need to do is choose the hotspot name with 5GHz and connect.

How many people are sharing the connection

If multiple devices are using your Wi-Fi, it makes it harder to access the full bandwidth available. Consider using Wi-Fi when there’s low usage in your home or ensuring you only have a few devices using your Wi-Fi at a time. In terms of the internet connection, check out our plans to see if you can upgrade and increase your bandwidth. For Vodafone nbn® users, typical busy periods (between 7pm and 11pm) can also affect your internet speed as more people are connected to the network you’re on.

Reboot the modem

Restarting your modem can have a positive impact on your Wi-Fi speeds. Just like many devices, running a modem all day everyday over a long period of time can have some negative effects on its performance. Restarting the modem can help clear up memory, reset internal processes, and resynchronise your modem with your ISP so it can be in its best condition to perform.