Learn about Wi-Fi connectivity

Before installing your wireless home network, you should consider placing your router at a location to ensure you aren’t limiting the range by its distance to any barriers or interferences that may impact the wireless signal.

• Place your router:
  • At least 10 feet from other Wi-Fi network or transmitting devices such as Bluetooth adapters, cordless phones, microwave ovens, baby monitors, or even the thin metal layer found in most mirrors to avoid potential interference
  • Away from any large metal objects, heat sources, moisture, excessive dust, or extreme cold
  • As close to the center of your home network area as possible, especially if you have a large area to cover or thick/dense walls
• Position the devices connected to your network so the signals will go straight through a wall rather than at an angle. If the signals hit a wall at an angle, the signals appear much larger and decreases its strength.
• Keep the number of walls and ceilings between your router and the other devices on your network to a minimum.
• Place the router near a window if you want to access the network outside.

Learn more about home networking.

Your Verizon router connects your wireless devices to the Internet using different kind of radio signals called Wi-Fi Standards. Some devices are compatible with one Wi-Fi standard, others many. You may have seen a list like Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac on the spec sheet for your device (laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.) or your router.

Wi-Fi standards and what each is capable of:

Note: Just one 802.11b device on your 2.4 GHz network will slow all other connections down to the same 11 Mbps max. This will not affect the 5 GHz network. The My Fios app, My Account page on Verizon.com, and your Fios Quantum Gateway administration pages will all alert you if an 802.11b device is connected.

Make sure all of your devices are compatible with the highest Wi-Fi standard your router supports. To use the fastest Wi-Fi standard:

• Remove older devices from your home Wi-Fi
• Upgrade older router to use the latest Wi-Fi technology

If you have a dual-band router like the Fios Quantum Gateway, try enabling both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Keep the 5GHz channel open for your most important connections.

• The 5 GHz channel generally provides the highest possible throughput, but will have lesser range than the 2.4 GHz channel.
• Other devices, like microwaves or baby monitors, typically use the 2.4 GHz signal. If you experience interference, switch to the 5 GHz channel and get closer to the router (or place the router to where you use Wi-Fi connections most often).

Note: Newer model routers are capable of automatically selecting the least crowded frequencies upon rebooting. Perform a power cycle on your router or, log into the router and manually select a different channel.

The Fios Network Extender is a wireless network adapter that expands the reach and potential of your Fios home or office wireless network. Consider adding a network extender to your home network. It will maximize the power of your wireless connection by boosting signal strength, eliminating dead spots and reducing glitches and lags in HD video and gaming experiences.

Check your current speed with a Verizon Speed Test.

Get a Fios Network Extender.

Get in the habit of using the highest level of wireless security that your router will support. The WEP setting provides less security for your Wi-Fi connection and can reduce your speed by up to 80%. To provide the best and most secure setting for your Wi-Fi connections, opt instead for the WPA2 Protocol.

If your router or the Wi-Fi device is not compatible with WPA2 encryption, WPA is the preferred encryption because it is still stronger than WEP.

Router Placement
Try placing your wireless router away from other Wi-Fi network or transmitting devices such as Bluetooth, refrigerators, cordless phones, microwave ovens and baby monitors. This can cause a significant decrease in speed, or the total blocking of the Wi-Fi signal when these devices are used near the router or other Wi-Fi connected devices.

Reboot router
Rebooting (turning off and then back on) your router solves most Wi-Fi issues. Upon rebooting newer model routers generally select the least crowded frequencies.

Dual-Band
If you have a dual-band router like the Fios Quantum Gateway, try enabling both 2.4GHz and 5GHz. If you experience interference, switch to the 5 GHz channel and get closer to the router (or place the router to where you use Wi-Fi connections most often). The 5 GHz channel generally provides the highest possible throughput, but will have shorter range than the 2.4 GHz channel.

Note: When testing speed wirelessly, it is best to test away from other devices or turn off other devices.

Streaming media could cause a reduction of your internet speed. To reduce traffic on your home network or Wi-Fi specifically:

• Stop multiple devices streaming at the same time
• Connect devices, such as gaming consoles, directly to the router using an Ethernet cable to free up some of the wireless capacity

Test your Wi-Fi connection again.

VPN lets you access your company's intranet remotely from your home network. Surfing over a VPN can result in slower speeds. Disconnect from VPN and test your Wi-Fi connection again.

If you unable to turn off VPN, we recommend that you contact your company's IT department who can provide more assistance.