5 Signs Your Home Network Needs an Upgrade

1. The Never-Ending Buffering Wheel

You know the one—that spinning circle that seems to mock you while you wait for your show to load. If buffering has become your unwanted viewing companion, or websites take ages to load, your network is telling you it needs help.

Here’s what’s going on: Today’s streaming services deliver stunning 4K picture quality, but that requires serious bandwidth. Your trusty old router might have been perfect five years ago, but it’s struggling to keep up with modern demands. It’s like trying to fill a swimming pool with a garden hose—it’ll work eventually, but you’ll be waiting a while.

The good news: Modern routers with Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 technology are built for today’s streaming world. Combined with an internet plan that matches your household’s needs, you can say goodbye to that buffering wheel for good.

2. The Mysterious Case of the Disappearing Wi-Fi

Does your signal vanish when you walk into the bedroom? Can you forget about checking your phone in the backyard? These “dead zones” aren’t just annoying—they’re a sign your coverage needs some love.

Here’s what’s going on: Wi-Fi signals don’t like obstacles. Thick walls, metal appliances, fish tanks, and even the materials your home is built with can block or weaken the signal. The farther you get from your router, the weaker things get. It’s physics, not personal!

The good news: Mesh network systems have changed the game completely. Instead of one router trying to cover your entire home, mesh systems use multiple access points to blanket every corner with strong signal. We can design a setup that eliminates those dead zones once and for all.

3. The Bandwidth Battle Royale

Sound familiar? Someone starts streaming a movie, and suddenly everyone else’s internet slows to a crawl. Or maybe your video call freezes every time your teenager starts gaming. When your family members are competing for bandwidth, nobody wins.

Here’s what’s going on: The average home now has around 10-15 devices fighting for attention—phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, security cameras, smart speakers, and more. Older routers simply can’t juggle all these connections efficiently, leading to that frustrating slowdown.

The good news: Today’s routers are much smarter about managing multiple devices. Technologies like MU-MIMO let your router talk to several devices at once instead of one at a time. Plus, we can set up Quality of Service (QoS) to make sure your work-from-home video calls get priority over someone’s background app updates.

4. Your Router Has Seen Better Days

Take a look at your router. If it’s been sitting there collecting dust for more than 3-4 years, it’s probably time for a refresh. We know—if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? But here’s the thing: technology has come a long way.

Here’s what’s going on: The jump from older Wi-Fi standards to Wi-Fi 6 and 7 isn’t just about speed (though that’s nice too). These newer routers handle crowded networks better, offer improved security features, and work more efficiently with your devices. Plus, older routers eventually stop getting security updates, which can leave your home network vulnerable. Some consumer grade routers have been targeted by botnets to be overtaken and used for nefarious purposes. They inject code into your device and take it over, causing further slowdowns.

The good news: Upgrading your router is one of the best investments you can make in your home technology. We prefer to use commercial grade equipment, which means frequent software and firmware updates. So your network stays secure and continues to operate well. You’ll notice the difference immediately, and you’ll be set up for whatever connected devices come next.

5. The Daily Reboot Ritual

If you find yourself unplugging and replugging your router every day—or even every few days—that’s not normal. Sure, an occasional reboot is fine, but if it’s become part of your routine, your router is trying to tell you something.

Here’s what’s going on: Routers can overheat, develop software glitches, or simply wear out over time. Frequent reboots often mean your router is either failing or overwhelmed by your network’s demands. Either way, you shouldn’t have to babysit your internet connection.

The good news: A well-designed network with quality equipment should work reliably in the background. You shouldn’t have to think about it. We can help you figure out whether you need a replacement router, better setup, or a more comprehensive solution.