If only the turning of the calendar into a new year would erase our technological woes. You can do a lot to make your digital life easier in 2023.
Start by cleaning out your inbox. You deserve to reach zero at least once. Tap or click to see the quick way I do it.
Are you tired of technology companies invading your privacy? To take action! Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook always listen unless you change these settings.
You don’t need to go through another year of bad Wi-Fi connection. These simple, fixable errors could be the reason your connection sucks.
Start your day with technology now.
1. You let freeloaders use your network
Do you know exactly which devices are using your connection? If your Wi-Fi is not password protected, you need to fix it. Tap or click here for instructions on how to find your router password and change it.
Or your password is easy to guess and someone is hijacking your Internet.
On a Windows PC, Wireless Network Watcher scans your network and shows you the IP address, MAC address, name, and manufacturer of the computers, tablets, and smartphones it detects on your network.
As soon as you launch Wireless Network Watcher, you will see all the detected devices listed. It should be able to recognize connected devices. For example, you may see devices from Apple and Amazon Technologies when you use an iPhone and Amazon Echo.
On a Mac, Who Is On My Wi-Fi will show you who is accessing your Wi-Fi. You’ll have to do some digging to discover some of the connected devices. Find the description and manufacturers.
Don’t panic if you don’t recognize a device. Look around your house to see which appliances, TVs, tablets, laptops, and smartphones have Wi-Fi access.
Read the list to make sure you recognize everything. You know someone is logged in without permission if you see devices you don’t recognize.
2. Your router is in the wrong place
Are you using a router that is years old? It could be crippling your connection and putting your security at risk. Tap or click here to see the best routers for your home or apartment.
Then there is the question of where to place the router. Don’t place it on the floor of a closet or away from where most Internet usage occurs.
Try placing your router near the center of the room for the fastest speeds. It would be best if you also placed it as high as possible, on a shelf or even hanging on the wall. If your router has antennas, point them in different directions.
Other devices can also affect your router. Keep away from cordless phones, Bluetooth speakers, microwave ovens, and baby monitors.
3. You don’t pay for enough bandwidth
You may not need incredible internet speeds depending on how much you do at home. You’ll be fine with slower speeds if you stream content on one device and primarily check email and social media from your phone.
If your home is full of smart, connected devices, you need enough bandwidth to support them.
Here are some general guidelines to get you started:
• If you only have a few devices connected to your Wi-Fi and you use your network primarily for web browsing, a 10 Mbps plan should be sufficient.
• If you watch a lot of videos and download tons of media, 25 Mbps should be good for you.
• To enjoy lots of high-quality streaming and online gaming, you’ll need 100 Mbps or more.
• You’ll do well with 500 Mbps for simulcasting, online gaming, and downloading on many devices.
Keep an eye on your data limit. Your ISP may limit your speed or even charge you for over-limits if you exceed it.
Short of money? Try these proven strategies to reduce your Internet, cable, and streaming bills.
4. You never change the channel
Switching to a different channel for your router is an easy adjustment to increase your speed. This step is beneficial if you are tuned to that 2.4 GHz frequency. Switching from one channel to a less busy one can help speed things up.
Try using a Wi-Fi scanner to check the optimal 2.4 GHz channel for your area or the least used channel.
For Mac, Apple offers the free Wireless Diagnostics tool. Hold the Option key while clicking the wifi icon on the right side of the menu bar, then choose Open wireless diagnostics.
For Windows, download NetSpot Wi-Fi Analyzer. Similar to the Mac scan tool, this app will instantly give you information about Wi-Fi signals in your area, including which channels they use.
Tap or click here for direct download links to more Wi-Fi analyzer apps for iPhone or Android.
5. Kids download a lot of game updates and videos.
When you’re trying to join a video call for work, the last thing you want is for your child to download a colossal game update in the next room. This consumes a lot of bandwidth and you will both end up frustrated.
To make things run smoother, schedule large updates and downloads for 1 a.m., when everyone is asleep or should be.
Need help getting kids on board with technology rules? I can help. Tap or click to download my technology agreement for parents and children to sign.
Keep your tech skills going
My popular podcast is called “Kim Komando Today.” It’s a solid 30 minutes of tech news, tips, and technical question callers like you from all over the country. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. For your convenience, click the link below to watch a recent episode.
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Check out my podcast “Kim Komando Today” on Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.
Listen to the podcast here or wherever you get your podcasts. Just look up my last name, “Komando.”
Get the latest tech news on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and provides advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacking. For daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit his website at Komando.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Avoid These Five Mistakes That Are Slowing Down Your Wi-Fi
