Everything can connect to your WiFi network in the everyday world – from computers and mobile phones to your kitchen tools. The increase in the number of devices connected can cause congestion in your internet connection signal, especially when most tools are accessing the internet at the same time. This is because devices share the same bandwidth, and every single one decreases it by a portion. Besides, situations like this aren’t only determined by the increasing number of tools and how old those devices are. This article will go into further details regarding how devices can affect your network performance and which device characteristics to look out for.
What to pay attention to
It is commonly known that wired networks are much stronger than wireless ones. Indeed, the ethernet cables create a direct link between the tool and the router, which provides a big difference in terms of internet performance.
Moreover, the number of devices connected definitely affects internet performance. If you pay close attention, you will notice a decrease in your internet speed during your house internet rush hour. For instance, a slower internet speed is expected if multiple people work remotely from home at the same time, or perhaps when streaming several films and tv shows at the same moment.
It is important to mention that older devices might also be the reason for your poor internet speed. This is because older computers and smartphones with outdated processors can slow down your connection. Our advice is to keep updating your hardware every few years and only sign on your older devices when you are actively using it.
In this regard, the most important tool which affects your network performance is the router. It is fundamental to make sure your router is not outdated, and it is most fitted for the type of connection you are looking for. For example, if you want to push a lot of data to many devices using an old router, you could switch to a mesh router instead; the latter creates a system of multiple WiFi access points to gain more internet coverage.
Test your internet speed
Whenever your internet seems slow, try running a speed test on your Speed-Test. You can download both tools for free. These tools also share some advice on what you can achieve with your internet connection, streaming, calls, social media usage and work, as shown below.
