The modern internet requires high data transfer speeds, but users often find that the actual wireless connection speed is significantly lower than that stated by the provider or the router's capabilities.
Increasing Wi-Fi throughput is a set of measures to optimize equipment settings and improve the physical environment for signal propagation.
In this article, we'll explore the technical aspects of wireless networking and specific steps to help you get the most out of your existing equipment without breaking the bank.
What is bandwidth and what does it depend on?
The throughput of a communication channel is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted through it per unit of time, usually measured in Mebit/s (Mbps).
The theoretical speed limit is affected by Wi-Fi standards (e.g. 802.11n, ac, ax), the frequency used (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and the number of antennas.
However, in real conditions, the speed is always lower than the theoretical one due to protocol overhead, signal strength and external interference.
The key parameter is the channel width, which determines how many "lanes" are simultaneously available for transmitting information.
⚠️ Attention: The actual speed will always be 30-40% lower than the theoretical speed due to service packet headers and the need to confirm data delivery.
To understand the difference between the standards, it is worth considering their main characteristics in the table below.
| Standard | Frequency | Max channel width | Theoretical speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4) | 2.4 / 5 GHz | 20/40 MHz | up to 600 Mbps |
| 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) | 5 GHz | 20/40/80/160 MHz | up to 6.9 Gbps |
| 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | up to 160 MHz | up to 9.6 Gbps |
| 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) | 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz | up to 320 MHz | up to 40 Gbps |
Selecting the right hardware is the first step to improving network performance.
Radio broadcast analysis and optimal channel selection
One of the main reasons for low speed is the congestion of the radio frequency spectrum by neighboring routers.
When multiple devices operate on the same channel or on overlapping frequencies, collisions occur, and the router must wait for the air to become free before transmitting a packet.
To diagnose the situation, you need to use special utilities, such as WiFi Analyzer or built-in scanners in router firmware Keenetic And MikroTik.
In the 2.4 GHz range, the situation is most critical, since there are only three non-overlapping channels available: 1, 6 and 11.
Using a 40 MHz channel width in the 2.4 GHz band in an apartment building often results in a drop in speed due to the capture of adjacent channels.
In this case, it is better to force the value 20 MHz for connection stability.
The 5 GHz band offers much more room for maneuver and is less susceptible to interference from household appliances.
⚠️ Attention: Router firmware interfaces may vary. Look for the "Wireless," "Wireless Network," or "Wi-Fi Network" sections in the admin menu.
Setting channel width and security standards
Channel width is a parameter that directly affects throughput, but requires a compromise between speed and range.
Increasing the channel width from 20 to 40, 80, or even 160 MHz allows more data to be transmitted simultaneously, but the signal becomes more sensitive to obstacles.
For modern standards 802.11ac And 802.11ax It is recommended to use 80 MHz bandwidth if there are no other powerful networks in the immediate vicinity.
Also critical is the encryption protocol: using an outdated one WEP or WPA/TKIP artificially limits the connection speed to 54 Mbps.
You need to switch your security settings to WPA2-PSK (AES) or WPA3to unlock high speeds.
Check that in the operating mode settings (Wireless Mode) there were no restrictions only on old standards such as 802.11b/g.
The optimal choice would be the mode 802.11 a/n/ac/ax mixed, which will ensure compatibility with all devices.
MIMO, Beamforming and MU-MIMO technologies
Modern routers use advanced technologies to improve signal quality and increase overall network throughput.
Technology MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) allows multiple data streams to be transmitted simultaneously through different antennas.
Function Beamforming (Beamforming) focuses the Wi-Fi signal directly on connected clients rather than broadcasting it evenly in all directions.
This is especially useful in poor reception conditions as it increases the signal-to-noise ratio for a particular device.
Newer technology MU-MIMO allows the router to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, rather than switching between them at breakneck speed.
For these functions to work, they must be supported by both the router and the client device (smartphone, laptop).
These options are often enabled by default in your router settings, but you may want to check them in the "Professional Settings" or "Advanced Settings" section.
What is the difference between SU-MIMO and MU-MIMO?
SU-MIMO (Single User MIMO) allows the router to transmit data to only one device at a time, quickly switching between them. MU-MIMO (Multi User MIMO) enables data transmission to multiple devices simultaneously, reducing latency and increasing overall network throughput with a large number of clients.
Physical placement and obstruction removal
Even a perfectly configured router will not be able to provide high speed if it is located in unfavorable physical conditions.
The Wi-Fi signal does not penetrate well through metal, mirrors, aquariums, and thick concrete walls with reinforcement.
Placing the router in a niche, behind a TV, or on the floor significantly reduces the effectiveness of the antennas.
The ideal location is the center of the apartment, at a height of 1.5–2 meters, in an open space.
Microwave ovens operating at 2.4 GHz and wireless baby monitors can also cause interference.
If your router has external antennas, try changing their angle: for even coverage, point one antenna vertically and the other horizontally.
This is due to signal polarization and how the antennas are positioned inside smartphones and laptops.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid placing the router near heat sources or in enclosed metal enclosures—this will cause overheating and processor throttling, which will reduce performance.
Checking the cable and provider settings
Often, the problem with low speed is not with Wi-Fi, but with the incoming connection or the cable connecting the router to the provider's modem.
Use a cable of category no lower than Cat 5e, which supports gigabit speeds (1000 Mbps).
Older Cat 5 cables may limit speeds to 100 Mbps, even if your data plan allows for more.
Check the negotiated speed (link speed) in the router's web interface in the "Status" or "WAN" section.
☑️ Cable connection diagnostics
Also, make sure your data plan matches the speed you expect.
Run a speed test via cable (connecting your PC directly to the router) to eliminate the influence of the wireless interface.
If the speed is normal via cable, but slow via Wi-Fi, the problem is definitely in the radio settings or interference.
Firmware update and factory reset
Router manufacturers regularly release software updates that fix bugs and improve signal processing algorithms.
Outdated firmware may contain bugs that cause unstable operation of the Wi-Fi module.
Go to the section System → Software Update and check for new versions.
In some cases, a full reset helps (Factory Reset) and reconfiguring the network from scratch.
This allows you to clear accumulated errors in the configuration files and select truly free channels again.
After the reset, re-set a complex password and select the optimal channel width settings discussed above.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Will replacing antennas with more powerful ones help increase speed?
Replacing antennas can improve signal strength (RSSI) and connection stability at the edge of the coverage area, but will not increase the maximum channel throughput if it is limited by the Wi-Fi standard or channel width.
Why is 5GHz Wi-Fi faster but has a shorter range?
High frequency (5 GHz) allows for wider channels and is less congested, but radio waves at this frequency attenuate faster when passing through walls and obstacles compared to 2.4 GHz.
How do I know if my router supports MU-MIMO?
This information can be found in the model specifications on the manufacturer's official website or in the router's web interface in the system information or Wi-Fi status section.
Does the number of connected devices affect the speed?
Yes, the more active devices simultaneously consume traffic, the less bandwidth each of them receives, since the total channel is divided between all network participants.