A slow internet connection or interruptions are often related to the personal device of the user or a nearby user causing interference.
Your device – your maximum speed #
Your own device (both hardware and software) mainly determines the capabilities and thus also the speed of your Wi-Fi. Most devices have settings for home use which is not always ideal. Furthermore you also need to apply all updates and the latest device drivers for your device. By doing so, you already can resolve some wifi issues.
Minimum specifications for your device:
- 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
- 802.11bgn:2×2, 802.11an:2×2, 802.11ac:1×1
Recommended specifications for your device:
- 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz
- 802.11bgn:2×2, 802.11an:2×2, 802.11ac:2×2
When your device does not meet the minimum requirements (visible through a Wifi link of max 65Mbps or 72Mbps), we recommend to only buy the validated USB Wifi Adapter ASUS USB-AC53
Power Savings – Screen Off #
To save battery, some devices disable the wireless connection when locking/turning off the screen. In case your device regularly loses its wireless connection after a locked/unlock sequence, make sure your device is connected to either one of the following wireless networks: SMARTEYE-Secure or eduroam
Above wireless networks allow your device to automatically re-connect in the background without you requiring to enter a username and password every time. Android, Windows and MacOS allow you to keep the wireless being connected, even if your screen is turned off.
- Android: keep wifi on during sleep android
- Windows: energy settings => high performance + keep wireless adapter enabled
- MacOS: Energy Saver => Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off + Enable Power Nap
Updating Device Drivers #
Make sure your operating system is the latest version of the manufacturer (so not of Microsoft!)https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/intel-driver-support-assistant.html
The video below explains how you can check this for a Windows device.
Advanced Wi-Fi settings #
Step 1
First make sure that Windows is set for maximum performance/maximum speed: Wireless Power Saving in Windows
Step 2
It is also important to check the advanced settings of your Wi-Fi adapter. These can be found via the configuration panel/device manager/network adapters.The most important settings summed up:
- afterburner: disabled
- association roam preference: enable
- u-apsd support: disable
- roaming decision: optimize bandwidth
- roam tendency: aggressive
- minimum power consumption: disable
- maximum transmission power: 100% (maximum throughput)
- band preference: 5Ghz
- HT mode: enable
- AP Compatibility Mode: higher performance
- WMM/WME: enable
- Bluetooth collaboration: enable
The options and names can vary depending on your Wi-Fi supplier.
Switching off your Bluetooth adapter can also help if you do not need it.
