Fix Wi-Fi problems in your home office

You’re in a Teams call with a client and your video freezes. Or your internet drops out at the same time every day. Working from home with bad Wi-Fi is frustrating, but usually fixable. Here’s what to check.

Where is your router?

Your router’s location makes more difference than you’d think. The ideal spot:

• Central in the house, not in a corner or cupboard
• As high as possible — on a shelf or cabinet, not on the floor
• Away from metal objects or thick walls (concrete, brick)
• Away from the microwave and other devices that use 2.4 GHz

2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz

Your router probably broadcasts on two frequencies. The difference:

• 2.4 GHz: larger range, but slower and more prone to interference
• 5 GHz: faster, but smaller range (stops sooner at walls)

Tip: use 5 GHz for your work laptop if it’s in the same room as the router. Switch to 2.4 GHz for devices that are further away.

Test your speed

Go to speedtest.net and run a test next to your router and another at your desk. If the difference is large, your Wi-Fi signal is the problem (not your provider).

Rules of thumb for working from home:

• Video calls: minimum 10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload
• Browsing/email: 5 Mbps is sufficient
• Multiple people simultaneously: add up the requirements

Channel conflicts

In a flat or densely built area, many routers broadcast on the same channel. This slows everyone down. You can manually change the channel in your router settings (usually via 192.168.1.1 in your browser). Choose a less congested channel.

When do you need an extra access point or mesh?

If your home office is more than two rooms from the router and your signal is consistently weak, it may be worth getting a mesh system or extra access point. This distributes the signal better throughout your home.

Before buying hardware: it’s smart to first have someone check whether the signal really is the problem. Sometimes a simple setting change or repositioning is enough.

Need help?

In a 60-minute session I can analyse your network, optimise the channel and review your router settings. Remotely or on-site in Evergem, Meetjesland and Greater Ghent.

Have consistently poor coverage in certain rooms? Read when a mesh network is the smartest choice.