Installing internet into your home is a necessary yet frequently frustrating experience. Sometimes, cables don’t reach where you need them to go, or the Wi-Fi drops out with no obvious explanation. Many of the problems you’ll face stem from improper setup or faulty equipment. Knowing the mistakes people make when setting up their internet will help you avoid the pitfalls of slow internet, dead zones, and faulty wiring.
Placement of Your Modem
Every internet setup process begins with installing your modem, but you need to think carefully about where you’re going to place it. Your modem is the hub of internet in your home, and it needs to be in a place where you can connect the necessary devices, including TVs, computers, phones, and other smart devices.
Consider Spacing
When setting up your internet, you need to think about the physical limitations of wires and evaluate whether they can comfortably reach certain devices. You’ll also need to consider the limits of your Wi-Fi’s reach and whether walls or other barriers obstruct the signal.
Limitations of the Wi-Fi Signal
On the topic of Wi-Fi and its limits, you must ensure that your Wi-Fi signal can handle the download and upload speeds you need. A wireless connection is generally weaker than a wired one, and depending on what you intend to use your internet for, wireless may not be sufficient. If your internet is primarily for work-related business, files may take more time to travel and load. But for more casual purposes, you typically won’t run into any significant Wi-Fi-related issues.
Taking Care of Your Cables
Whether they’re power cables or Ethernet, wires can be deceptively fragile. As a general rule, Ethernet cables over 328 feet will result in reduced performance, making it necessary to keep all your devices within that range. You’ll also have to consider how far you bend your wires around corners. There are rules for how far you should bend wires; if you go beyond that point, you risk snapping the cables inside the jacket.
Troubleshoot by Working Backward
If you’re experiencing issues after setting up your internet, work backward in your investigations. Start with your device and end with your modem. First, check to make sure you have a secure connection with the device. Then switch out cables to rule out the possibility of a faulty connection. If nothing else seems wrong, the issue may lie with your router or modem. Knowing the common problems people face when setting up their internet will make the troubleshooting process go by faster and help you get better results.