16 Ways Remote Workers Can Improve WiFi
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Remote work is a major part of daily life; among remote-capable roles, 52% are hybrid, and 26% are fully remote. With so many people working remotely, the need for quality Wi-Fi service has never been more essential. But Wi-Fi can be unpredictable…fast in one room, laggy in another.
There are several ways you can improve your Wi-Fi connection at home. Below are 16 practical ways to improve your home Wi-Fi for remote work, from quick fixes to hardware upgrades, if needed.
Key Takeaways: How to Improve Wi-Fi for Remote Work
- Test Wi-Fi vs. your internet plan: Run an internet speed test while on Wi-Fi next to your router, then run a second test on Ethernet. If Ethernet is fast but Wi-Fi is slow, you have a coverage or interference issue. If both are slow, it’s likely your provider, plan, or modem.
- Router placement is the quickest win: Put your router in a central, open location, not in a closet or behind furniture, and keep it away from metal and large appliances that can cause interference.
- Stability beats fast speeds for work calls: For video calls, reduce dropouts by using Ethernet when possible or enabling device priority (QoS) to keep meetings stable during household internet use.
- Fix dead zones with the right upgrade: Use mesh Wi-Fi, an extender, or powerline adapters.
- Your network may be overloaded or unsecured: Disconnect devices and apps you aren’t using, keep your devices (and router firmware) updated, and check for unknown devices on your network—then change your Wi-Fi password if needed.
Confirm Whether It’s Wi-Fi or Your Internet Plan
Before you buy new equipment, it helps to confirm whether the problem is your Wi-Fi signal or service from your internet provider.
Do this quick check to find out:
- Run an internet speed test over Wi-Fi from a device as close to your router as possible.
- Do another speed test using Ethernet (wired) from a laptop or desktop connected to the router.
Keep in mind that internet speed often slows down in the evenings due to increased network traffic. Do these tests at a couple of different times during the day to get a better picture of what’s going on with your Wi-Fi speeds.
What to do with the test results:
- If Ethernet is fast, but Wi-Fi is slow, you likely have Wi-Fi coverage or interference problem (router placement, dead zones, congestion, or router settings).
- If Ethernet and Wi-Fi are both slow, the issue may be your internet plan, modem, provider network, outage, or congestion problem.
Now you can move on to the right category of fixes below.
Quick Fixes to Improve Wi-Fi Performance
These 5 tips fix most Wi-Fi issues. You can do these in five minutes or less, and if your Wi-Fi performance hasn’t improved or stabilized, then you can move on to more comprehensive steps.
1. Pick a Good Spot for Your Router
If your router is in a closet, cupboard, bookshelf, or close to a wall, your Wi-Fi signal is likely blocked. Moving your router is a great way to boost the signal strength, speed, and reach.
It’s best to keep it in a more central, prominent place away from any metal objects. You’ll also want to keep it away from other household appliances that cause interference, such as microwaves, dishwashers, TVs, washing machines, and dryers.
2. Keep Your Router Close to Your Workspace
Even if your router is in a central location, it may be too far from where you work. If your workspace is far away, move the router closer if possible. Or move your workspace closer to the router. Whichever is easiest for you.
3. Regularly Reboot Your Equipment
A quick reboot is a simple fix that can often improve Wi-Fi performance by clearing the device’s memory and refreshing the connection.
To reboot:
- Press the restart button, if your router has one, or
- Unplug the router from power, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
4. Turn Off Devices and Apps You’re Not Using
Multiple devices and apps using bandwidth can strain your connection. Close or disconnect anything you’re not actively using, especially streaming devices, cloud backups, and large downloads
5. Regularly Update Your Devices
A common mistake users make is ignoring or snoozing updates. Updates often include bug fixes and security patches that help devices runbetter and protect you from any cybersecurity attacks that may slow down your workflow or internet connection.
Router Settings That Make a Big Difference
The following tips need to be done in your router’s settings, which can be accessed via an app or a browser-based interface. Each manufacturer and router is different, so check out your model’s manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions.
6. Switch to a Different WiFi Channel
Wi-Fi routers broadcast over channels, and crowded channels can cause “Wi-Fi traffic jams.” Many users leave their router on the default channel, which can lead to interference in dense areas.
Use a tool like NetSpot (or a similar Wi-Fi scanning tool) to see which channels are least crowded in your area. Then log into your Wi-Fi router settings to change the channel.
7. Implement Advanced Router Features
If your router supports features like Beamforming (focusing a Wi-Fi router’s signal toward your device for a stronger connection) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output), enable them. These can improve strength and reliability, especially when multiple devices are connected at once.
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8. Optimize for Video Conferencing and Large File Transfers
If your router has Quality of Service (QoS) settings, prioritize bandwidth video conferencing and work-related tasks. QoS helps reduce lag and stabilize performance during meetings and high-priority work activities.
9. Buy a WiFi Repeater, Booster/Extender
Repeaters, boosters, and extenders can improve coverage in areas where your router signal is weak. Repeaters rebroadcast an existing signal as a new network. Extenders and boosters are similar and are often designed to amplify and extend the existing signal before rebroadcasting it. These devices are affordable and can be installed in less than a few minutes.
10. Explore Powerline Networking Kits
IF Wi-Fi extenders aren’t enough, powerline networking kits use your home’s electrical wiring to extend your connection into rooms where Wi-Fi struggles. This is a helpful alternative when your Wi-Fi coverage is limited, or you can’t easily move your router.
11. Connect High-Bandwidth Devices via Ethernet
Ethernet is often faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. If you can connect your computer or high-demand devices via Ethernet, you’ll usually get more consistent and less frustrating performance. The tradeoff is convenience, since Ethernet limits where you can place devices.
Work-From-Home Optimization
12. Create a Dedicated Workspace Network
If your router allows, set up a separate guest network for your work devices. This can reduce bandwidth competition from other household devices and keep your work connection more consistent.
13. Use Network Analyzers for Optimization
Tools like Wi-Fi Analyzer or inSSIDer can help you measure your signal strength throughout your home and identify dead zones or interference. Use what you learn to adjust router placement or determine where you may need an extender or other upgrade.
14. Cut Off Unknown Wi-Fi Devices
Other users or unknown devices may be on your network. Many internet providers and routers offer apps that show connected devices so you can remove or block connections you don’t recognize. At the very least, make sure you’re using a strong Wi-Fi password to keep others out.
When to Call Your Provider or Upgrade Your Plan
If you’ve gotten to this point without any improvement in your Wi-Fi network, it’s probably time to consider upgrading your internet plan or switching providers.
15. Contact Your Internet Provider
If you’re not happy with your Wi-Fi performance after trying all of these steps, contact your internet provider. They can help diagnose issues, walk you through troubleshooting steps, or send a technician. If your provider’s service is consistently limited, it may be time to switch internet service providers.
16. Upgrade to a Better Internet Plan
If you chose your plan before working from home, you may need to upgrade to a faster internet plan. Depending on your needs, you may also consider switching providers. Use our ZIP search tool to explore internet options in your area and compare plans that better support remote work.
Maximize Your Work-from-Home Efficiency with the Right Internet Plan
These tips can significantly improve your Wi-Fi experience, but sometimes the root cause is beyond your router and settings. If you’ve exhausted all these options and still struggle with unreliable internet, it might be time to explore faster and more reliable internet plans available in your area.
Don’t settle for lagging connections and frustrating interruptions. Invest in a reliable internet service that empowers your remote work and elevates your professional game. Research your internet options, compare plans, and consider upgrading to a more productive work-from-home setup.
FAQs: Improving Wi-Fi for Remote Work
There are a few reasons why one device is faster than another, but it’s usually because one is closer to the router than the other. If that’s not the case, then consider these:
- Older hardware often handles wireless connections less efficiently.
- Background processes sometimes consume bandwidth without notice.
- Interference from nearby electronics might impact one device more.
- Network settings vary, even when connecting to the same source.
- Firmware differences influence how each device manages data flow.
Common problems with laptops can affect wireless signals differently than phones. While mobile devices adapt well to modern frequencies, computers sometimes struggle due to outdated components. One reason might be infrequent updates to drivers and settings. Removing saved settings for the current network could help establish a cleaner link. Power modes designed to extend battery life may limit signal strength unintentionally. Switching to a less crowded frequency band tends to improve responsiveness under certain conditions. If you can, connect via Ethernet to rule out any network or provider issues. Unexpected delays might disappear when testing through different hardware pathways.
If you’re trying to improve Wi-Fi signal in one specific dead zone, a Wi-Fi extender can be a cheap, quick fix. If you need reliable coverage throughout your home, a mesh Wi-Fi network is usually the better long-term option because it’s designed for whole-home coverage and seamless movement between zones. For best results, place extenders or mesh nodes midway between your router and the dead zone. Connect via Ethernet whenever you can since it provides the most stable and pure connection.
For most remote workers, a good target is a download speed of at least 100 Mbps, and an upload speed of at least 10 Mbps. You’ll need more than that if multiple people in your home share the internet connection to stream video or game online. Video calls and file uploads need low latency and as much upload speed as possible. If you’re wondering how to get better Wi-Fi for work, prioritize stability first (signal strength, router placement, wired connection) before upgrading your internet plan.
It can, as long as your Wi-Fi network is stable and optimized. Upgrading to a faster internet plan only helps if internet speeds are your bottleneck, but it won’t automatically fix weak Wi-Fi coverage or interference inside your house. If you already have plenty of speed and want how to increase Wi-Fi signal strength, focus on router placement, switching to the 5 GHz frequency when you’re close to the router, upgrading to a mesh network for better coverage throughout your house, or using Ethernet or a powerline connection for your computer. If you’re not sure if the problem is not enough speed or your Wi-Fi network, run an internet speed test over Wi-Fi, then again from a device connected to the router via Ethernet. If they’re about the same, it may be your internet plan. If Ethernet is considerably faster, it’s probably your Wi-Fi signal.
The best placement for your router is as close to the center of your home as possible, and in an elevated and open location. Put the router on the main living level if possible, away from thick walls, metal, and large appliances that can block Wi-Fi signals. Avoid tucking it away in closets, cabinets, and corners of the house. Getting your router in the best location for your house is This is one of the fastest and easiest ways improve Wi-Fi signal without buying anything.
Most of the time, 5 GHz Wi-Fi is better for Zoom because it’s faster and usually has less interference, which can help reduce lag and choppiness. The tradeoff is range, so if you’re far from the router or behind several walls, 2.4 GHz may be the better option. If you’re troubleshooting how to increase Wi-Fi speed for video calls, the best move is to test both bands from your desk or home office and use the one that is not only faster, but more consistent. If you can, connect via Ethernet for maximum stability.
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