Gaming is enormous these days. It has just been revealed that the new Call of Duty game, Black Ops 6, will require over 309 gigabytes. Increasingly, gamers purchase their new games and then wait for hours before they can play them.
Whether you’ve just bought a new PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or PC, you need to ensure you also have a robust broadband internet connection.
There are investments you can make to mitigate some of these issues. You’re already paying your internet service provider for a certain maximum speed, so you might as well invest in equipment that helps you reach it.
If you’re going wireless, start with your modem and router
When setting something up for the first time, begin with the essentials. For a wireless broadband connection, these are your modem and router. The modem you select will determine your internet speed, and the router is crucial to the entire setup, connecting various devices to the modem.
While most ISPs will lend you this equipment, many will charge an additional monthly fee. If you buy your own modem, you have more control over your home broadband speed and save money in the long run.
Think of it this way: your modem may set the speed limit for your broadband connection, but the router allows your devices to connect to the modem. Inevitably, the router, which acts as an intermediary between your device and the modem, will slow down the response when sending signals between your device and the Internet.
Investing in a better router will reduce this lag and get you closer to the broadband speeds you’re paying for. Just ensure you don’t buy equipment that is advertised as much faster than the speeds you’re paying for with your ISP. Regardless of how advanced the router is, you won’t get speeds beyond what you pay for from your provider.
Still having trouble connecting to your router? There is a fix for this
If you have your router configured correctly and still aren’t getting adequate upload and download speeds, there are a few possible solutions. First, try disconnecting some devices from your network. They could be interfering with the Wi-Fi signal to your gaming device and consuming some of your speed. You can also tweak your hardware setup to try and improve performance, but if all else fails, you may need to invest in more internet hardware.
Other quick fixes to try before purchasing more devices
Before spending money on more products, try to get the link working yourself. Start by turning off the router and then turning it back on. There are many channels for Wi-Fi, and you might be on a crowded channel. Rebooting the router will connect it to the least crowded channel, ruling it out as the source of your issues.
Another simple solution is to move your router closer to your gaming setup and place it on a higher shelf. It’s common for interference from other devices to disrupt your connection, and bringing your router and console or PC closer together may be just what you need to restore your speed.
Wi-Fi extenders can boost your router’s range
If none of these quick fixes work, the next device to consider is a Wi-Fi extender. Plugging a Wi-Fi extender into an outlet at the edge of your router’s range will allow the Wi-Fi radio inside the extender to rebroadcast the signal, boosting it and enabling you to connect over a larger area.
If your gaming device is in a dead zone, struggling to connect, this signal boost may be necessary to achieve proper upload and download speeds similar to other devices in your home.
It’s worth repeating that your devices can’t exceed the speeds you pay for—our goal is a broadband connection that approaches your provider’s advertised speed.
The best connection is a wired connection
If you have a sizable budget, it’s worth ditching a wireless connection altogether. A wired broadband setup is likely to be better than Wi-Fi, so one of the best investments you can make is an Ethernet cable for your console or computer.
The biggest issue with an Ethernet setup is that it’s not convenient and can quickly become expensive depending on your home setup. You need to connect your Ethernet cable between your chosen device—either your console or computer—and a specific location.
Ideally, your ISP modem or router will be near your gaming setup, allowing you to connect the cable directly. If there’s no modem or router near your gaming setup, you’ll need to invest in installing Ethernet ports throughout your home. Installation fees vary, depending on the length of Ethernet cable needed, the complexity of the installation, and the labor involved.
A wired connection will get you as close to your advertised internet speeds as possible, but it can cost upwards of $1,000 to set everything up correctly. Considering you’ve just invested a significant amount in your gaming setup, you might want to postpone looking for a wired connection and revisit the decision later.