Little Dog Tech

Is Your Internet Holding You Back? Tips to Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance in 2025

Is Your Internet Holding You Back? Tips to Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance in 2025

Winter is here, and with more time spent indoors streaming, gaming, or working from home, your internet is under more pressure than ever. If your Wi-Fi feels sluggish, it’s not just frustrating—it can hold you back from staying productive, entertained, or connected. At Little Dog Tech, we’ve helped many families in Des Moines and Central Iowa optimize their internet setup, and we’re here to share tips to keep your Wi-Fi running smoothly in 2025.

Why Your Internet Might Be Slowing Down

There are several reasons your internet might not be keeping up, especially as the demands on home networks grow. Here are some common culprits:
  • Outdated Equipment: Older routers may not handle today’s bandwidth-heavy activities like video calls, 4K streaming, or online gaming. You really do get what you pay for with networking tech. If you are still rocking a single router but have signal or speed issues, you may want to consider a modern mesh network like EERO.
  • Signal Interference: Thick walls, other electronic devices, or even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi can disrupt your signal. Make the switch to 5Ghz, or even wifi 7 to cut through the noise.
  • Overloaded Networks: With more devices than ever connected—laptops, TVs, smartphones, and smart home gadgets—your network might be overwhelmed. Count up ALL of the wireless devices in your home, running close to 50? You may need a more powerful router.

Tips to Boost Your Wi-Fi Performance

If your internet is holding you back, try these tips to get your connection up to speed:

1. Upgrade Your Router

Many people don’t realize that routers have a lifespan. If yours is over five years old, it’s time for an upgrade. Look for routers with:
  • Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, or even Wi-Fi 7 technology for faster speeds and better device handling.
  • Dual-band, tri-band, or beam-forming capabilities to reduce congestion.
  • Mesh networking support if you have a medium or larger home with dead zones.

2. Find the Best Router Placement

The location of your router makes a big difference. Keep it:
  • In a central location in your home for even coverage.
  • Off the floor and away from thick walls or metal objects that can block signals.
  • Away from other electronics like microwaves or cordless phones, which can cause interference.
  • If you use a mesh system, make sure that the secondary access points are close enough to the main mesh access point so they can relay your traffic back to the internet without fail.

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3. Optimize Your Device Connections

Some devices don’t need constant high-speed access. Use these strategies:
  • Prioritize Important Devices: Many modern routers let you assign bandwidth priority to essential devices like your work laptop or gaming console.
  • Separate Networks: Use a guest network for visitors or less critical devices like doorbells to keep them from clogging your main network.

4. Reduce Interference

Interference can wreak havoc on your Wi-Fi. Here’s how to minimize it:
  • Switch to the 5 GHz band if your router supports it—it’s less crowded than 2.4 GHz. However, 5Ghz doesn’t penetrate walls as well as 2.4, so you may need to look into a mesh system.
  • Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to identify the least crowded channels and manually set your router to one of them. There are many free apps out there, we recommend WiFiman from Ubiquiti.

5. Consider Your Internet Plan

Your Wi-Fi can only be as fast as your internet service allows. Check if:
  • Your current plan meets your needs. For streaming, gaming, or multiple users, speeds of at least 100 Mbps are recommended.
  • Don’t forget to consider the upload speeds of your connection. With so many cloud-based apps out there, 100Mbps down may be great, but if there is only 5-10 Mbps upload speeds, you will see slowdowns wherever you update something on cloud storage.
  • Your internet provider offers upgrades, especially in areas like Des Moines, where fiber internet may be an option for ultra-fast speeds. Fiber is really great because it usually has the same upload speeds as download, making the web-surfing experience much better!

Advanced Options for Better Performance

Mesh Networking Systems

If you’re dealing with dead zones or inconsistent speeds, a mesh network could be the solution. These systems use multiple nodes to seamlessly spread the signal evenly throughout your home, ensuring reliable Wi-Fi in every corner.

Ethernet Connections for Key Devices

For the fastest and most stable connection, plug in critical devices (like gaming PCs or workstations) directly via Ethernet. This frees up Wi-Fi bandwidth for other users.

How Little Dog Tech Can Help

At Little Dog Tech, we specialize in helping Des Moines and Central Iowa families get the most out of their internet. Whether you need:
  • A router upgrade: We’ll help you choose the right model for your home.
  • Wi-Fi troubleshooting: We can diagnose and fix connection issues.
  • A full network setup: From mesh networks to extenders, we’ll tailor a solution to your space.
We’re here to make sure your technology works for you, not against you.
Don’t let slow internet hold you back this winter. With the right equipment, placement, and settings, you can enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home.
Ready to upgrade your setup? Call Little Dog Tech at (515) 422-1995, or stop by to chat with our friendly team. Let’s keep your home connected and running smoothly!