At BRAVAS, we’re wild about the interconnectivity of smart home devices. From motorized shades to whole-home audio and security cameras, home automation is both a useful and fun addition to any household. But if you’re using a wireless system, is it strong enough to handle all of your devices while still able to stream audio, video, and surf the web?

A robust WiFi network should not frequently break down or be affected by a single device’s failure. A strong system should be able to recover quickly from hold-ups and bugs and adding more to your smart home should not put a strain on it.

So how can you bring your network up to speed so that all of your smart devices function flawlessly? Improve your internet connection with our tips below!  

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Make Sure Your Router’s in the Right Place

Yes, there is a right and wrong location to place your router - if it also provides your home's WiFi. You’ll want to put it in an open area near the middle of your house or your business. Routers are not necessarily known for their attractive appearance and may compromise your interior décor. But by keeping it far away from walls, you won’t accidentally block the signal. It’s best if you don’t stow the router in a cupboard or closet, as convenient as that may seem.

Choose the Right WiFi Band

Many routers are dual-band, which means they broadcast both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz bands for their signal. If you’re covering lots of space, opt for the 2.4 GHz band. Otherwise, you’ll achieve faster speeds and better protection for your devices with 5 GHz. If you live in a populated area or an apartment building, try changing the band’s channels to see if a different channel will reduce interference and improve speed.

Update the Router’s Firmware

Did you know that just like you can update your phone, your router’s manufacturer also offers upgrades? You may not want to deal with an update or know how to do it (we can help with that!), but it’s incredibly beneficial to do so. Upgrades will improve your router’s performance and addresses security vulnerabilities with patches.

Install a WiFi Range Extender

Depending on your home’s layout, certain floors or areas may be too distant to receive a strong signal, which poses issues with security devices, multi-room audio, and simply connecting to the internet from a computer. A WiFi range extender grabs your existing signal and rebroadcasts it on a different channel, providing connection in hard-to-reach locations. The placement of an extender can be tricky—you’ll need to ensure it picks up a sufficient signal while also spreading it far enough away.

Ready to bring smart technology and a robust network to your home? We build custom technology systems that make daily life more comfortable and efficient. To get started, fill out our online form to find a BRAVAS location near you.