If video calls work near your router but freeze in the bedroom, a faster internet plan may change nothing. First find out where the signal gets weak.
Test in two places
Use the same phone or laptop and the same speed-test service near the router and then in the slow room. Pause large downloads and test at about the same time. If the first result is good and the second is poor, Wi-Fi coverage is the likely problem. If both are poor, check for a service problem and try a computer connected by cable if you can.
Move the router into the open
The FCC recommends a central spot. Take the router out of a closed cabinet and move it away from large metal objects. Leave space around it and follow its maker's placement advice. Sometimes a small move does more than an expensive plan change.
Try the 2.4 GHz band for a distant room if your router lets you choose. The 5 GHz band can be faster close by but often reaches less far. Test both rooms again after each change so you know what helped.
Still slow?
A mesh system or extender may help a room the router cannot reach. A cable is another good option for a fixed computer or TV. Check the cost of the smallest fix before replacing everything.
Keep it safe too
The FTC recommends WPA3 Personal or WPA2 Personal, a unique Wi-Fi password and a separate password for router settings. Check for router updates. A password will not fix a thick wall, but it will help protect the network you just improved.
Image note: The lead image is an AI-generated editorial illustration.
