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Tips for faculty and staff who work from home.
Overview
If you work from home and find your internet connection lacking, use the tips on this page.
Initial steps to take
- Restart your WiFi router and devices regularly
- Make sure your software is up-to-date
- Be sure that your devices are fully up and running (which can take a few minutes to negotiate and be able to function properly) before you start working
- Contact your internet service provider (ISP), and ask for a maintenance check-up
- How old is your modem? Do you need a firmware update?
- It is often the case where routers are 5-10 years old and need newer technology to manage the speed and use of the internet today!
Set your WiFi up for success
- Avoid having two or more walls or one floor between your computer and your home’s internet router/access point
- Houses larger than 1,500 square feet or so (depending on layout and building materials) will usually need multiple wireless access points for good house-wide coverage
- If you’re using the wireless access point that came with your internet connection, note that these often have average to poor coverage
- Consider installing a newer WiFi access point, or WiFi mesh networks that cover your home with multiple access points
- The Wirecutter by The New York Times regularly tests and recommends WiFi access points and mesh hardware
If all else fails, use ethernet
If you have an Ethernet cable, we recommend using it to connect to the router. A hardwired connection should be significantly faster, and is not subject to various WiFi interference.
LITS can provide an ethernet cable to faculty or staff who are working remotely. Just let us know how long a cable you need.