Can an old router cause slow internet

A router is a crucial component in your internet setup. It ensures that the internet connection is reliable and fast.

A slow internet connection can be very annoying and frustrating. With a lot of devices including smartphones, Smart TVs, PCs, and other internet-enabled devices competing for the same internet connection, an old router would be required to work harder than ever to meet this demand. This is true when you consider the number of activities that take place in a home. You have your Smart TV streaming videos, consoles, and PCs carrying out online gaming, and Smartphones accessing social media apps.

Whether an old router can cause slow internet or not depends on the age of the router, its software, the internet speeds the router can manage, and the number of devices connected.  

Many factors influence your router’s internet speeds with the age of the router being among them. An outdated router can cause issues with your Wi-Fi connection slowing down the internet speeds. If you haven’t updated or upgraded your router in a while, then chances are that it will cause slow internet. Besides, if the router’s firmware – which is the software that powers the router is outdated, then it will impact your router’s performance and end up slowing the internet speeds.

Types of routers

Routers come in different models that support up to different speeds with the high-end ones supporting higher and multiple frequencies. The constant thing about routers is the number indicated on them. Older routers can limit your internet speeds significantly compared to the latest routers. In the last ten years, the maximum Wi-Fi speeds have gone from a paltry 300Mbps to as high as 9.6 Gbps. There are three major Wi-Fi standards that one needs to be aware of. They include:

• 802.11g – This is a pretty outdated router and needs replacing.

• 802.11n(Wi-Fi 4) – This standard was introduced back in 2009 and uses a single wireless band at 2.4 GHz with the ability to reach wireless speeds of up to 450 Mbps. This number indicates that the router though a bit old is still functional and is OK.

• 802.11ac or Wi-Fi 5 – This type of router is good and still runs the latest standards. Introduced in 2014, the router comes with both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for faster speeds. It can handle maximum speeds of up to 3,500 Mbps or 3.5 Gbps is significantly high. For better range and ability to communicate with other devices simultaneously, the router includes beamforming and MU-MIMO technologies.

• 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6 routers are the latest Wi-Fi standards in the market having been introduced in 2019. These routers use both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands too and can achieve speeds of up to 9.6 Gbps despite being primarily designed to handled network efficiency better instead of just speeds. Most of these routers can handle many connected devices easily and are ideal for smart homes.

If the number on yours is less than 802.11n, then consider replacing it. The main reason these routers slow down your internet is that they’re not designed for new internet plans or even up to a gigabit. For instance, if you upgraded your internet plan to speeds of 400Mbps but are using a router that supports only 300 Mbps like the N300 wireless router, then you’re losing 100Mbps. This is because the router isn’t capable of handling those speeds. 

How can I tell if my speeds are slow? 

There are several signs of a slow internet connection including re-buffering of videos, lower resolution videos, and for gamers a lag. The best way to determine if your speeds have slowed down is to carry out an internet speed test and take note of the speeds that you’re getting. You can go online and search for internet speed tests and conduct one. If the results state that your speeds are ok, consider using a VPN and repeating this test. If you notice a difference then your internet speeds have slowed. You can conduct these speeds at different times of a day and compare. This is because there are times that the ISP (Internet Service Provider) will limit your internet bandwidth say due to high internet traffic or the kind of activity that you’re undertaking online.

How to fix slow internet

Before you consider replacing your router with the latest one, you can try troubling the current one and see if it works for you.

First method: Replace the antenna

If you have a router with an old antenna, then consider replacing it. A new antenna might just be the solution for slow internet speeds. There are various antenna types to choose from on the market. Some focus their broadcast in a single direction and others spread the waves in many directions. The latter, also known as omnidirectional is the best since they can penetrate through walls and offer better signals in any room.

Second method: Get a Wi-Fi extender

Some houses are very large for a router to fully meet the demands. With a Wi-Fi extender, you can be able to extend your router’s range and reduce the distance between your devices to the nearest access point. The best practice for setting up a Wi-Fi extender is by placing it halfway between your router and the room(s) that you intend to improve its connection.

Third method: Replace the router

If the above methods don’t improve your internet speeds, then it’s high time to upgrade your router with the latest router.

Final Thoughts

Routers are a great device for internet connection at home and office. They offer a central point and can be accessed by various devices simultaneously. Despite an old router being a problem for internet connection, it can be improved and still achieve great speeds without replacing it.

FAQs

What is the best Wi-Fi standard for video streaming?

If your router has both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, then switching to 5 GHz is the most ideal thing. It not only offers a richer streaming quality but can also handle multiple devices simultaneously.

Can I use both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously?

Yes if your router is a high-end router. It can allow you to use the 2.4 GHz for browsing & emailing and the 5 GHz for streaming and gaming.