Not too long ago, many households could easily get by with just a basic single-band router to allow several devices to connect to the home network. But things have changed, and right now, it is no longer easy, if not completely impossible, to find a home without multiple smartphones, tablets, laptops, and gaming consoles, all of which vie for online access. If you constantly lose your wireless signal, experience choppy videos when you stream Netflix or need to wait for several minutes before the web pages load, there is a good chance that your router no longer keeps up with all your networking demands. This is a sure sign that you need to upgrade your router.  This upgrade is a necessity and not a mere luxury. But, if you are like most people, you probably feel a bit hesitant to shell out some of your extra cash on a brand-new piece of technology. You try to convince yourself that everything works just fine, even if others tell you otherwise. However, the time will come when you can no longer ignore the signs that you need to upgrade your router. According to experts, a wireless network’s average life expectancy is around 3 to 5 years. Several telltale signs will tell you that the time has finally come to kiss your good old dusty router goodbye.

Signs You Need to Upgrade Your Router

Routers are usually taken for granted by many users, and the only time they bother to pay attention to these devices is when they notice a significant malfunction. But even then, it is very unlikely for them to consider an upgrade. If you are noticing frequent symptoms of an underpowered router, or you can no longer get any WiFi signal in all parts of your home or office, you might consider an upgrade. Some other indicators include network-related congestion problems, like stuttering playback of videos and slow loading of web pages. Routers that come from ISPs are usually at risk for trouble. There is a chance that if your internet service provider is the one that supplied your router, it might not be able to meet or suit all your needs. After some time, heat can also damage the router’s internal components. This will explain symptoms such as slow performance or intermittent outages. You might want to consider using a small fan and pointing it at your router, or you can move it somewhere with sufficient airflow to know if it will improve the situation. If your current router doesn’t support the 802.11ac standard, it is definitely a must that you think about upgrading your router. When your present router is topping out at 802.11n or 802.11g, you will not get the range and speed you should be getting. In addition, when your wireless router is not offering dual-band wireless, it is possible that some of the wireless appliances in your home are operating on a similar 2.4 GHz wireless band, just like your router, which will result in major interference. If you are noticing any of these signs, it is time to upgrade your router. Contact Teletraders to find out what to do with your old router.