Your router is responsible for sending Wi-Fi signals to your phone, laptop, smart TV, security cameras, etc. Its a big job.
Sometimes the reason for this is your internet connection is spotty, but not always. Tap or click on My Guide to Troubleshooting Your Bad Wi-Fi.
Your router also plays an important role in network security. This is bad news should someone hack into your router. Tap or click for a free check to see if you’ve been tampered with.
There’s a limit to what your old router can do, no matter how well you take care of it. Do you need a new router? Read on to find out and get help selecting the right one for your home.
1. Your Old Router Is Easy to Hack
Your router may be doing a good job of connecting you to the Internet, but does it keep you safe? The latest security standard is WPA-3, which was released back in 2018. Any router that uses WPA-2 encryption needs to be replaced.
Run an encryption check on your router. Go to your router’s admin menu. Under the Wireless or Security menu, you’ll see the Encryption status. need help? Tap or click on My Site for steps on how to do this.
If your router is not WPA3 compatible, WPA2-PSK AES is the next most secure option. This is also a sign that you need to get a new router. I’ll tell you below how to choose the best router.
2. You’re Missing
When buying a router, you can also future-proof your network. More and more devices support Wi-Fi 6, but it doesn’t make sense if your router doesn’t.
Wi-Fi 6 improves significantly in two important categories: speed and range.
Homes with a lot of connected technology – phones, computers, smart TVs, printers, smart speakers and smart home devices – put a certain strain on a network. Wi-Fi 6 routers can easily handle 50 or more devices.
There is something even better than Wi-Fi 6, although not many devices can use it yet. Wi-Fi 6 uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, while Wi-Fi 6e operates on the 6 GHz band. You will find this technique built into many mesh networks.
3. Your signal is weak in some places
You must have a consistent, fast network in your home. A single router works fine for small spaces, but what about multiple rooms and floors?
Mesh networks are more popular and affordable than ever. Instead of relying on a router, a mesh network connects satellite modules around your home, covering the entire area with coverage.
These systems usually come in sets of two or more units that work together. As far as your gadgets are concerned, Wi-Fi mesh is one big continuous network that eliminates poor coverage, dead spots and buffering.
4. Your Devices Need More Juice
How old is your router? Routers that only support 2.4 GHz frequencies are the dinosaurs.
Single-band routers use only the 2.4 GHz band and a wireless signal.
Dual-band routers use the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands to transmit two wireless signals simultaneously, providing better performance.
Tri-band routers typically have 2.4 and 5 GHz bands plus an additional 5 or 6 GHz band to transmit three total wireless signals.
Single-band routers need to be replaced. A dual-band router that supports 2.4 and 5 GHz will work for homes with fewer than five connected devices. Get a tri-band router that supports three signals for homes with more than five connected devices.
5. How to Choose a New Router
I always get requests from people looking for help choosing a router. It’s hard if you don’t know what to look for. There are pages for sale on Amazon that range in price from $20 to over $1,000.
Good news: Me and my team did the hard work for you. Take our Patented Router Quiz. Answer a few questions, and we’ll recommend the best router for your home that gives you the best security and the fastest speeds. It only takes a minute or two.
The bottom line is this: If your connection is spotty, not equipped with the latest security standards, or is more than three years old, the router needs to be replaced.