Ten ways to boost your internet connection at home - The Times

A sluggish connection quickly disrupts daily routines, from buffering movies during family movie night to frozen video calls during work hours. Many households assume their provider is delivering poor service, but invisible barriers inside the home are often the real reason your gadgets struggle to stay connected.

To figure out what is happening, run a quick speed test right beside your router, and then take another test in the spot where your internet feels slowest. If you see a major difference between the two results, your wireless signal is likely running into walls, metal objects, or heavy furniture. Move your router out into the open, place it on a raised surface, and keep it clear of other electronics. A quick restart by unplugging the device for thirty seconds can also clear out everyday network congestion.

You rarely need to buy expensive gear to fix poor coverage, since small tweaks to your router placement can restore the speeds you pay for every month.