Do your shows and movies buffer too much? Do your video calls drop or stutter? Are your online games slow? Does your music streaming not work in the backyard?
This step-by-step guide will help you troubleshoot and optimize your home WiFi network, ensuring perfect WiFi coverage in every room.
- Set a Performance Baseline for Your Home WiFi
- Diagnose and Resolve Home WiFi Issues
- Enhance Your Home WiFi Network
- Consider Solutions Based on Test Results
- Implement a New WiFi System for Optimal Home WiFi Performance
- Test All Client Devices After Making Changes to the Network
Setting a Performance Baseline for Your Home WiFi
On Ethernet - Laptop Plugged into Cable Modem
- Objective: Establish a performance baseline using a wired connection to eliminate variables introduced by WiFi.
- Steps:
- Connect the laptop directly to the cable modem using an Ethernet cable.
- Run a speed test at Cloudflare Speed Test to measure download and upload speeds, latency, and jitter.
- Document the results for comparison with subsequent tests.
On WiFi - Laptop Close to Existing WiFi Router
- Objective: Establish a performance baseline for the current WiFi setup.
- Steps:
- Position the laptop near the existing WiFi router.
- Connect to the WiFi network and run another speed test.
- Record the results, noting any differences from the Ethernet connection.
Diagnosing and Resolving Home WiFi Issues
- Objective: Understand and replicate any network issues reported by the client.
- Steps:
- Attempt to reproduce the described issues under similar conditions.
- If issues are not reproducible, gather detailed information from the client to understand the context and frequency of the problems.
- Document findings, including any discrepancies or additional observations.
Enhancing Your Home WiFi Network: Step-by-Step Solutions
Internet (Wide Area Network - WAN) Side
- Objective: Determine if the issues originate from the internet connection provided by the ISP.
- Steps:
- Errors in Cable Modem:
- Access the cable modem’s admin interface.
- Check for error logs, signal levels, and connection status.
- Packet Loss:
- Use tools like PingPlotter to measure packet loss over time.
- Document any instances of packet loss and potential patterns.
Internal (Local Area Network - LAN) Side - Speed Comparison with WAN
- Objective: Assess the performance of the internal network relative to the WAN.
- Steps:
- Radio Scan with Ubiquiti Wifiman or Android App:
- Perform a WiFi scan in each area of the house to identify signal strength, interference, and channel usage.
- iPerf Test:
- Set up the laptop as the iPerf server.
- Use your phone as the iPerf client to test internal network throughput.
- Compare the results to the WAN performance and identify any bottlenecks.
Solutions to Consider Based on Test Results
- If WAN performance is less than what you are paying for, consider contacting your internet provider.
- For example, if you are paying for 100Mbps down and 20Mbps up but you're only getting 30Mbps down and 5Mbps up via direct Ethernet connection to the modem then there is likely an issue that is the responsibility of your internet provider to resolve.
- Focus the internet provider customer support representative's attention on your Ethernet test results to dissuade them from blaming your WiFi for any performance issues.
- If WAN performance is up to par but LAN performance is not, consider purchasing a more powerful WiFi system.
- Mesh WiFi systems like the Amplifi Alien are affordable and easy to use. You can start with one Alien or use multiple Aliens to create a wireless network that covers your entire property.
Implementing a New WiFi System for Optimal Home WiFi Performance
- Objective: Address identified issues to optimize network performance.
- Steps:
- Disable WiFi on Modem:
- Access the modem’s settings and disable the built-in WiFi to prevent interference.
- Enable New WiFi Router with Same SSID and Password:
- Configure the new WiFi router with the same SSID and password as the modem to ensure a seamless transition for all devices.
- Test Home Network with Just Base WiFi Access Point:
- Perform a radio scan and iPerf tests in each area of the house to evaluate the performance of the new WiFi router.
- Place Each Additional Access Point:
- Strategically place additional access points to ensure optimal coverage and minimal interference.
- Test each access point using radio scans and iPerf to confirm proper installation.
Testing All Client Devices
- Objective: Ensure all connected devices function correctly with the new network setup.
- Steps:
- TVs, Speakers, Thermostats, Doorbell, Computers, Phones:
- Connect each device to the new WiFi network.
- Verify functionality and performance of each device, addressing any connectivity issues.
- Document the final setup and performance for future reference.
By following this systematic approach, you can identify and resolve network performance issues, ensuring a robust and efficient home network. Regular testing and monitoring will help maintain optimal performance and quickly address any future problems.
Need help optimizing your home WiFi? Schedule a free consultation with Boise Home WiFi today and enjoy perfect WiFi in every room.