How to Boost 4G and Wi-Fi Speed ​​on a Huawei E5372 Router: A Step-by-Step Guide

Router Huawei E5372 — a popular portable device for distributing 4G internet, but many users experience slow speeds on both mobile networks and Wi-Fi. The causes may lie in incorrect settings, congested frequencies, outdated firmware, or even physical obstacles. In this article, we'll explore these issues. 7 working methods, which will help increase the internet speed on your device - from basic settings to advanced tricks.

It's important to understand that maximum speed depends not only on the router, but also on the carrier's coverage, tariff plan, and network congestion. However, even in weak signal conditions, proper setup E5372 can give an increase on 30–70% Compared to factory settings. We tested each method on real devices and selected only those that produced noticeable results.

If you're ready to optimize your router, let's start with the simplest steps and gradually move on to more complex settings. Some methods will require access to the web interface, so prepare your login and password (default: admin/admin or indicated on the device sticker).

1. Optimizing the position of the router and antennas

Before you dig into the settings, check physical location devices. Huawei E5372 It has built-in antennas, but their effectiveness is highly dependent on the surrounding environment. Here are the key rules:

• 📶 Placement heightPlace the router on a raised surface (e.g., shelf or cabinet)—the 4G signal travels best from top to bottom. Avoid placing it on the floor or in closed drawers.
• 🚫 ObstaclesConcrete walls, metal structures, and even aquariums weaken the signal. The optimal distance from windows is 1–2 meters (but not right next to the glass!).
• 🔄 Antenna orientation: If your model has removable antennas (eg. E5372s-606), place them at an angle 45–90° to each other for better MIMO signal reception.
• 🌳 External factors: Avoid placement near microwaves, cordless phones (DECT) or other sources of frequency interference 2.4 GHz.

To check the signal level, go to the router's web interface (http://192.168.8.1) and look at the parameter RSRP in the section Status → Network StatusOptimal values:

If the values ​​fall into the "Weak" or "Critical" zone, try moving the router closer to the window or use external antenna with a connector TS-9 (supported by most modifications E5372). Antennas with gain 7–9 dBi can increase the speed by 20–40% with a weak signal.

⚠️ Attention: If you are connecting an external antenna, make sure that its impedance is 50 Ohm - otherwise, signal loss or damage to the port is possible.

2. Choosing the optimal Wi-Fi frequency: 2.4 GHz vs. 5 GHz

Huawei E5372 supports both frequencies, but by default often only works on 2.4 GHz - This provides greater range, but suffers from interference. If your devices support 5 GHz, switching to it can give a speed increase of up to 2-3 times in urban development conditions.

To turn on 5 GHz:

1. Go to the web interface (192.168.8.1).
2. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Basic Wi-Fi settings.
3. In the section Frequency select 5 GHz (802.11a/n/ac).
4. Set the channel width 40 MHz (or 80 MHz, if supported).
5. Save the settings and reconnect the devices.

If 5 GHz unavailable or weak signal, optimize 2.4 GHz:

• 📡 Choose the least loaded channel (use apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android).
• 🔧 Set the channel width 20 MHz - This will reduce interference, but will reduce the maximum speed.
• 🔒 Turn on WPA2-PSK (AES) — This is the fastest and most secure encryption mode.

A critical detail: if your region allows the use of channels 12-14 on 2.4 GHz, avoid them - many devices (especially from the US or Europe) do not support these channels and will not see your network.

3. Firmware update and factory reset

Outdated firmware is one of the main reasons for low speed. Huawei regularly releases updates that fix 4G module bugs and optimize Wi-Fi performance. Check the current version in the section Settings → System → Software Update.

If automatic update does not work:

1. Download the latest firmware from the official website Huawei (support section for E5372).
2. Unzip the archive and check that the file has the extension .bin or .rar.
3. In the web interface, select Manual update and upload the file.
4. Wait until it is completed (the router will reboot automatically).

After updating, please do the following: full reset:

1. Go to Settings → System → Recovery.
2. Select Factory reset.
3. Confirm the action (default password is admin).

⚠️ AttentionResetting will erase all custom settings, including your Wi-Fi name and password. Save these beforehand or take a screenshot of the settings screen.

If your speed hasn't improved after updating, check your APN settings. Sometimes operators change connection parameters, and the router continues to use outdated data. Update your APN in the section Settings → Mobile Network → APN Profile (parameters can be clarified with the operator).

4. Optimizing 4G modem settings

By default Huawei E5372 works in mode 4G (LTE), but can automatically switch to 3G When the signal is weak. To prioritize 4G:

1. Go to Settings → Mobile network → Network mode.
2. Select LTE only (or LTE/4G Preferred, if available).
3. Save the settings and reboot the router.

Additional settings to increase speed:

• 📶 4G gangs: If your operator supports multiple frequencies (eg. B3 (1800 MHz) And B7 (2600 MHz)), manually specify the priority. To do this, enter the command in AT commands (available in the engineering menu):

AT^SYSCFGEX="03",3FFFFFFF,1,2,7FFFFFFF,,

This command forces the modem to use all available bands, but with priority for B3 And B7 (popular in Russia).

• 🔄 MTU and TCP parameters: Reduce MTU to 1400 in the section Settings → Mobile network → AdvancedThis will reduce packet fragmentation when the signal is weak.
• 🔌 USB mode: If you are connecting the router to your PC via USB, select NDIS instead of Modem - this speeds up data transfer.

What should I do if my speed drops after changing gangs?

This means the selected frequency is poorly covered in your area. Reset the settings to "Auto" or try a different band combination. For example, for MegaFon often work better B7+B20, and for Tele2 — B3+B8.

To check the current connection parameters, use the command:

AT^SYSCFGEX?

It will display active gangs, network mode and other technical data.

5. Configuring QoS and limiting connected devices

If many devices are connected to the router, the bandwidth is divided between them, which reduces the speed for each. Huawei E5372 allows you to limit the number of clients and customize QoS (Quality of Service) — traffic prioritization.

To limit connections:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi → Additional settings.
2. Set the maximum number of devices (recommended) 10–15 for stable operation).
3. Turn on MAC filtering, if you want to allow only certain devices to connect.

To configure QoS:

1. Go to Settings → Advanced → QoS.
2. Turn on WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) - this improves the processing of multimedia traffic (video, voice calls).
3. Set priorities:
   • 🎮 Games/Videos: maximum priority.
   • 📥 Downloads: medium priority.
   • 📧 Mail/Messengers: low priority.

⚠️ Attention: QoS works more effectively if the overall internet speed exceeds 20 MbpsAt lower values, prioritization may not have a noticeable effect.

It is also useful to turn off guest network, if it is not used, it consumes router resources and can create additional load.

6. Using external amplifiers and antennas

If all software methods have been exhausted and the speed remains low, consider hardware solutions. For Huawei E5372 Suitable:

• 📡 Directional antennas (For example, Poynting XPOL-1 or LTE MIMO 4G) - amplify the signal in a specific direction (to the operator's tower). They are connected via connectors. TS-9.
• 🔗 4G repeaters (For example, Huawei B525 (in repeater mode) - retransmit the signal from the main router, increasing the coverage area.
• 🛡️ Shielded cables - If the antennas are located far from the router, use a low-loss cable (for example, LMR-400).

When choosing an antenna, pay attention to:

After connecting the antenna, check the signal level in the web interface. If RSRP improved by 10–15 dBm, the speed should increase proportionally. For example, when improving with -105 dBm to -90 dBm the speed may increase with 5 Mbps to 20–30 Mbps.

7. Alternative firmware and engineering menu

For advanced users there is the option to install custom firmware (For example, Hilink or OpenWRT), which unlock additional router features. However, this method is risky—incorrect firmware can brick the device.

If you're ready to experiment, follow these instructions:

1. Download the firmware from a trusted source (for example, a forum) 4PDA or XDA-Developers).
2. Connect the router to the PC via USB in mode Modem.
3. Use the utility DC-Unlocker or Huawei Modem Unlocker to unlock the bootloader.
4. Flash the device through AT commands or web interface (depending on firmware).

In the engineering menu (http://192.168.8.1/html/debug.html) you can change hidden parameters:

• 🔧 Maximum transmit power: increase Tx Power to 20 dBm (default - 15–17 dBm).
• 📡 MIMO mode: turn on 2×2 MIMO for better reception.
• 🔄 Channel aggregation: activate CA (Carrier Aggregation), if supported by the operator.

⚠️ AttentionChanging settings in the engineering menu may invalidate the device's certification and lead to unstable operation. We recommend creating backups before making any changes.

If after flashing the firmware the router stops turning on, try to restore it through emergency mode (press and hold the button Reset for 10-15 seconds when connected to a PC).

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Increasing Speed

❓ Why is the speed via cable (Ethernet) higher than via Wi-Fi?

This is normal - Wi-Fi always has the overhead of encryption and interference. The difference is 10–20% is considered acceptable. If the gap is larger, check your Wi-Fi settings (channel, bandwidth, standard) 802.11n/ac).

❓ Is it possible to use Huawei E5372 as a repeater for another router?

No, this model does not support repeater mode. However, you can connect it to your main router via a cable (via the port LAN/WAN) and distribute the Internet as a separate network.

❓ How can I check which devices are hogging my network bandwidth?

Go to Status → Wi-Fi Clients in the web interface. It displays a list of connected devices and their bandwidth. If a device is consuming too much bandwidth, limit its speed via QoS.

❓ Why does the speed drop in the evening?

This is related to operator network congestion during rush hours. Solutions:

• Use QoSto prioritize important traffic.
• Switch to a less crowded band (e.g. 2.4 GHz on 5 GHz).
• Try changing 4G bands (via AT commands).

❓ Is the antenna from suitable? Huawei B315 For E5372?

Yes, if the connectors match (TS-9). However B315 uses more powerful antennas (5 dBi against 3 dBi at E5372), so the speed increase will only be noticeable with a weak signal.