Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To get more from the Wi-Fi router you already own, measure performance in different rooms, improve the router’s placement, and check for interference before changing settings or buying equipment. These steps can help identify whether the issue is weak coverage, wireless congestion, device compatibility, or the broadband service itself—but no one adjustment guarantees a particular speed increase.
Measure Wi-Fi before changing anything
Run speed tests in several locations, including near the router and in the rooms where service is poor. Record each result and retest from the same spots after making a change. Microsoft recommends this before-and-after approach in its wireless network setup guidance.
A test over Wi-Fi measures the connection between your device and the internet at that moment; it does not, by itself, prove what speed your internet provider is delivering. Wi-Fi performance and broadband service performance are related but not interchangeable. If possible, compare results near the router with results in the problem room, and note which device you used.
Put the router where its signal can travel
Place the router as close to the center of your home as practical, elevated and in an open area. Avoid hiding it behind furniture or placing it near walls, metal objects, or other obstructions. Microsoft Support puts the principle simply: “Place your wireless router as close to the center of your home as possible to increase the strength of the wireless signal throughout your home.” The advice appears in its guide to setting up a wireless network.
#1 Best Overall
- DUAL-BAND WIFI 6 ROUTER: Wi-Fi 6(802.11ax) technology achieves faster speeds, greater capacity and reduced network congestion compared to the previous gen. All WiFi routers require a separate modem. Dual-Band WiFi routers do not support the 6 GHz band.
- AX1800: Enjoy smoother and more stable streaming, gaming, downloading with 1.8 Gbps total bandwidth (up to 1200 Mbps on 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz). Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- CONNECT MORE DEVICES: Wi-Fi 6 technology communicates more data to more devices simultaneously using revolutionary OFDMA technology
- EXTENSIVE COVERAGE: Achieve the strong, reliable WiFi coverage with Archer AX1800 as it focuses signal strength to your devices far away using Beamforming technology, 4 high-gain antennas and an advanced front-end module (FEM) chipset
- OUR CYBERSECURITY COMMITMENT: TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
Signal can also be affected by devices sharing the 2.4 GHz band, including microwaves and some cordless phones. After moving the router, repeat your tests in the same locations. The best spot depends on the home’s layout and on the device receiving the signal.
Choose a Wi-Fi band that suits the room and device
Different frequency bands trade range and obstacle penetration against throughput. A faster band may be useful close to the router, while a lower-frequency option may reach farther or work better through obstacles. The device must also support the band; a router setting cannot make an incompatible phone, laptop, or other client use it.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
- 2.4 GHz: Often useful for longer reach, but it can be more affected by congestion from nearby networks and other equipment using the band.
- 5 GHz: Microsoft describes it as offering faster throughput and more non-overlapping channels than 2.4 GHz, but with shorter range and poorer penetration through obstacles.
- 6 GHz: Can provide strong performance nearby, but requires compatible Wi-Fi 6E-capable router and client hardware, and has shorter range.
Don’t force a device onto a band without checking that it supports it and testing the result in the room where you use it. Microsoft explains the band and device considerations in Wi-Fi and your home layout.
Check congestion before changing channels
If placement is reasonable but the connection remains unreliable, inspect nearby wireless networks with a network analyzer. Microsoft recommends checking network performance around the home and using an analyzer to look at nearby networks. The results can help distinguish a weak signal from a crowded channel; changing settings without that diagnosis may not help.
Rank #3
- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
- WORKS WITH YOUR EXISTING INTERNET SERVICE: Pairs with your existing modem or gateway via ethernet. Compatible with most cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite providers. Some gateways and modem router combos may require bridge mode. No coax needed.
- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
- COVERAGE IN EVERY ROOM: Covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. for up to 20 connected devices. Walls, floors, and interference can reduce range. Larger or multi-story homes may benefit from a NETGEAR Orbi mesh WiFi system.
On 2.4 GHz, if the signal is strong and the channel is clear but reliability is still poor, a 20 MHz channel width may work better with some older adapters than a wider setting. Router menus differ, so consult the router’s own controls and documentation. Change one setting at a time, retest in the same places, and restore the prior setting if performance gets worse. See Microsoft’s guidance on Wi-Fi layout and channel settings.
Secure and maintain the router
Security settings do not fix a weak signal, but they are an important part of getting reliable use from equipment you already have. The FTC recommends these checks in its home Wi-Fi security guidance:
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕: Powered by Wi-Fi 7 technology, enjoy faster speeds with Multi-Link Operation, increased reliability with Multi-RUs, and more data capacity with 4K-QAM, delivering enhanced performance for all your devices.
- 𝐁𝐄𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐞𝐫: Delivers up to 2882 Mbps (5 GHz), and 688 Mbps (2.4 GHz) speeds for 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming & more. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance, and obstacles like walls.
- 𝐔𝐧𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐆𝐢𝐠 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟑×𝟏𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬: Maximize Gigabitplus internet with one 2.5G WAN/LAN port, one 2.5 Gbps LAN port, plus three additional 1 Gbps LAN ports. Break the 1G barrier for seamless, high-speed connectivity from the internet to multiple LAN devices for enhanced performance.
- 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭-𝐆𝐞𝐧 𝟐.𝟎 𝐆𝐇𝐳 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐝-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫: Experience power and precision with a state-of-the-art processor that effortlessly manages high throughput. Eliminate lag and enjoy fast connections with minimal latency, even during heavy data transmissions.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Covers up to 2,000 sq. ft. for up to 60 devices at a time. 4 internal antennas and beamforming technology focus Wi-Fi signals toward hard-to-reach areas. Seamlessly connect phones, TVs, and gaming consoles.
- Use WPA3 Personal encryption if available; otherwise use WPA2 Personal.
- Change both the router’s administrator credentials and the Wi-Fi password from their defaults.
- Keep router firmware current, and check whether automatic updates are available.
- Consider a guest network for visitors and check that the router firewall is on.
- Turn off remote management, WPS, and UPnP, which the FTC says may weaken network security.
Available controls and update options vary by router and internet provider. If an older router does not offer WPA2 or WPA3, update its software and check again. If neither option is available after that, the FTC says to consider replacing it; this is a security-support reason, not a blanket recommendation to upgrade for speed.
When an extender or mesh system makes sense
Consider additional coverage equipment only after testing placement and diagnosing the remaining problem. Microsoft suggests trying an extender when moving the router or device closer is not possible. An extender may help fill a local coverage gap, but it does not improve the broadband connection coming into the home. Ofcom makes this distinction in its Wi-Fi experience guidance.
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
- Full Gigabit Ports - Gigabit Router with 4 Gigabit LAN ports, ideal for any internet plan and allow you to directly connect your wired devices
- Boosted Coverage - Four external antennas equipped with Beamforming technology extend and concentrate the Wi-Fi signals
- MU-MIMO technology - (5GHz band) allows high speeds for multiple devices simultaneously
- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple boxes placed around the home to improve in-home coverage. It may suit a broader or persistent coverage problem, but results depend on layout and placement; check compatibility with your existing equipment before choosing a system. Neither an extender nor mesh guarantees a fix for every home, and neither increases the speed of the underlying broadband service. Microsoft discusses extenders in its home-layout guidance.
Quick Recap
Decide what kind of problem you have
- Slow mainly in distant rooms: Compare the same device near the router and in the affected room. Try a more central, elevated placement first; if relocation is impractical, assess whether an extender or mesh system fits the coverage gap.
- Unreliable despite a strong signal: Check nearby networks and congestion before changing channels or channel width, then retest.
- Only some devices perform poorly: Check their supported bands and wireless capabilities before changing router settings.
- Concerned about an old router’s security: Update its firmware and check encryption choices; consider replacement if WPA2 Personal or WPA3 Personal remains unavailable.
- Results are poor even near the router: A Wi-Fi coverage accessory may not address the issue. Compare the result with the broadband service you expect and contact your provider if the service itself appears to be the problem.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
