Knock knock. Who’s there? Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi who? Wi-Fi are you always buffering? I just want to watch one cat video!
Fast and reliable Internet connection is essential for everything from work to entertainment (yes, including cat videos). But sometimes, your Internet can feel sluggish, leaving you wondering what’s slowing things down. (If you’ve ever driven through the Squirrel Hill tunnel during rush hour, you are very familiar with this feeling.)
A slow Internet connection is not as funny as a knock-knock joke. Tired of the dreaded buffering circle or Zoom meetings that resemble stop-motion animation? If you have determined that your Internet is the culprit, here are some simple tips to help you get the most out of your home connection.
Place Equipment in a Central Location
If your router is hiding in the darkest corner of your house it’s time for a change of location. Put your router in a central location and let it shine. Elevate it, admire it, but we beg you, don’t shove it under the TV stand behind 15 cables.
Check out our quick video explainer!
Add a Password to Your Wi-Fi
Friendly reminder: put a password on your Wi-Fi. Not only will it keep hackers at bay, but it’ll also stop your neighbors from binging Netflix on your bandwidth and slowing your Internet connection. And when you set up that password, go with AES encryption—it’s super secure and won’t slow you down.
Use an Ethernet Cable
In a wireless world, it is easy to forget that cables are still an option. If your Internet connection is not as fast as you need, consider hardwiring. A wired connection to your router is faster, more stable, and immune to interference from your microwave or even that giant fish tank in the living room. The only catch? You’re tethered like it’s the 90s, so say goodbye to the freedom of wandering around with your laptop. Less convenient, but way more reliable.
Check Your Computer
If the Internet on your computer is slow but other devices seem fine, the issue is likely not the speed of your connection. There are many reasons your computer might be slow, heck, we wrote an entire post on this. Start by reviewing your resources with the Activity Monitor (Mac) or Task Manager (Windows). This will give you inside information on what programs are running in the background. A clean-up of your computer may fix what you previously deemed to be Internet connection issues.
Call Your Local ISP
We promise, over here at Green Light, we are definitely not watching cat videos, and are ready to take your call. We want your Internet connection to be everything you need. So, whether you are a new customer ready to ditch Big Internet, or an existing customer, we are here to help resolve issues quickly.
Choosing an ISP is an important decision. Take your time, ask questions, and really compare your options before making your choice. Better yet, call for a free consultation to ensure you choose the right provider.