Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Start by checking whether Wi-Fi trouble affects one device or several. Then try these six quick router checks; they are simple tests to run, not a promise that every connection problem will be fixed in five minutes. An outage, damaged equipment, or a fault on one device may need a different solution.
First, work out what is affected
If possible, test another device on the same Wi-Fi network. If only one device has trouble, focus on that device or its compatibility with the network. If several devices are affected, check the router, signal conditions, and broadband connection. Ofcom’s broadband and Wi-Fi guidance suggests comparing devices when diagnosing a problem: Ofcom: Get help with broadband and Wi-Fi problems.
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Six quick router checks
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Restart the router
Switch the router off, wait about 30 seconds, then turn it back on. Give it time to reconnect to the internet before testing Wi-Fi again. Restarting is a useful first check, but it does not establish that the underlying cause has been fixed.
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Move the router into the open
Place it in an elevated, reasonably central spot, with as few walls and obstacles as practical between the router and the device. Avoid tucking it behind furniture or placing it beside objects such as fish tanks or radiators. Ofcom notes that Wi-Fi works best with fewer obstacles between router and device: Ofcom: Improving your wifi experience.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
TP-Link AX1800 WiFi 6 Router (Archer AX21 V5)- 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.
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Move it away from possible interference
Keep the router away from potential sources of radio interference, including microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, halogen lamps, dimmer switches, and speakers. Move it away from one suspected source at a time, then check whether the affected device’s connection changes.
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Try another supported Wi-Fi band
If your router shows separate network names for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, try connecting the affected device to the other band, if it supports it. A device may not support every band, and neither band is automatically the best choice in every room: distance, walls, and local conditions matter. Microsoft’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guidance discusses band compatibility: Microsoft Support: Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows.
Rank #2
Sale
TP-Link AC1200 WiFi Router Dual Band Wireless Internet Router (Archer A54) | 4 x 10/100 Mbps Fast Ethernet Ports, EasyMesh Compatible, Support Guest WiFi, Access Point Mode, IPv6 & Parental Controls- 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
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Check congestion before changing the Wi-Fi channel
First record how the connection performs in the problem area. Where practical, use a Wi-Fi analyzer to inspect nearby networks and possible channel congestion. Microsoft advises checking performance and congestion before selecting a channel: Microsoft Support: Wi-Fi and your home layout. Router menus vary, so consult the instructions for your model before changing settings. Apple recommends leaving channel selection on automatic when that option is supported; for 2.4 GHz, its guidance recommends 20 MHz to help avoid performance and reliability issues near other networks and 2.4 GHz devices: Apple: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points.
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Temporarily pause unused devices and heavy activity
Pause large downloads or streams on other devices and disconnect devices that are not in use. Then check whether the affected connection improves. This is a diagnostic test: a connected device is not necessarily using significant bandwidth just because it is connected.
Rank #3
NETGEAR Nighthawk WiFi 6 Router R6700AX, Up to 1,500 sq ft, 1.8 Gbps | Reliable Performance, Easy Set Up, 20 devices, 4× Gigabit Port, Dual Band, AX1800- 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.
Use a wired test to separate Wi-Fi from broadband trouble
A Wi-Fi speed test by itself does not prove that the broadband line is at fault. Wireless performance can vary by device, distance, walls, and interference. If you can, compare the affected device with another device on the same network; you can also test a computer connected to the router by Ethernet. Ofcom says wired connections are usually faster and more reliable, and advises using a cable capable of handling the broadband speed: Ofcom: Get help with broadband and Wi-Fi problems. A wired test is optional and diagnoses the connection; it does not improve wireless coverage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to contact your internet provider
Check that the router and any relevant mesh units, boosters, or fibre connection equipment are powered. If several devices still cannot connect, or the checks point to a broader broadband fault, contact your provider instead of repeatedly changing router settings. Ofcom’s guidance covers broadband faults as well as Wi-Fi troubleshooting: Ofcom: Get help with broadband and Wi-Fi problems.
Quick Recap
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
Rank #4
- 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝟕 - Designed with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, featuring Multi-Link Operation (MLO), Multi-RUs, and 4K-QAM. Achieve optimized performance on latest WiFi 7 laptops and devices, like the iPhone 16 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
- 𝟔-𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥-𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐢𝐝𝐭𝐡 - Achieve full speeds of up to 5764 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 688 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band with 6 streams. Enjoy seamless 4K/8K streaming, AR/VR gaming, and incredibly fast downloads/uploads.
- 𝐖𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Get up to 2,400 sq. ft. max coverage for up to 90 devices at a time. 6x high performance antennas and Beamforming technology, ensures reliable connections for remote workers, gamers, students, and more.
- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 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.
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.
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