Wi-Fi is one of the most precious items that we use every single day. When it is going smoothly, it seems that all is well with the world. But when there is a disruption, it can be a day-wasting experience, especially if you work from home. Tap or click here for essential work from home tips.
It’s not always clear why exactly you’re having problems with Wi-Fi. If you are having internet problems, it could be due to several things. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to solve your internet issues that didn’t take days and nights to figure out.
There could be a number of reasons why you can no longer connect. Your router or modem may be on the fritz, your ISP may be doing maintenance at the time, or everything from your phone to your computer may be malfunctioning. It could also be someone stealing your internet who is increasing your bandwidth. With that in mind, here are ways to troubleshoot Wi-Fi problems with handy apps.
Apps that can help you troubleshoot Wi-Fi problems
Wi-Fi analyzer apps are important troubleshooting tools that can show how strong your signal is, how congested your network is, and available networks near you. This will allow you to pinpoint any potential problems so that you can consolidate your connection or reroute it.
Here are three options for both iOS and Android to get you started.
This free option is a great app for beginners, as it shows the information your connection is transmitting in real-time. It’ll show you your signal strength when you’re using the app and most devices currently connected to your network, which will help you find out if you have unknown devices online that aren’t needed.
You can also filter through available networks in your area to make sure you’re using the network with the highest signal strength. There are versions for both iOS and Android.
OpenSignal operates a huge database with hundreds of cell towers that can help map out the coverage you need to test. You can use it to analyze the best location in your home to rifle through your wireless connection as well as a strong connection to sift through all kinds of information about the people around you .
It also does speed tests so that you can see how well your internet is working at that time. Signals can fluctuate, so it is best to keep checking your performance.
Wi-Fi Analyzer
Wi-Fi Analyzer has fewer options than the other apps on this list, but it’s still valuable. It consists of colored graphs that give you a simple visual representation of what kind of signal you are currently receiving and the people around you.
You can swap between both 2.4G and 5G connections and set up entirely new devices with which to go online. This will help you start after deleting your current Wi-Fi settings and restarting your modem and router, which is a common troubleshooting step.
Now that you’ve better tackled Wi-Fi problems in your home, you don’t have to wait for your signal to return. The next time your signal drops, whip up one of these trusted apps and go to town. You are on your way to becoming an amateur technician.
