Wi-Fi Explained Like You’re 5 (or 85): Part 2 – How to Make It Go Faster

by David Scott Lynch | FeedingHungryPeople.com | TechKnow.BIZ

So your Wi-Fi feels slow. You’re trying to watch a video, check the weather in Englewood, or maybe Zoom with the grandkids in North Port—and it keeps freezing. Annoying, right?

The good news? You don’t need a tech degree to fix most Wi-Fi issues. You just need to know a few secrets about how Wi-Fi really works—and where it likes to hang out.

Let’s break it down in plain English.

📶 Secret #1: Your Wi-Fi Signal Is Like a Flashlight Beam

Imagine your Wi-Fi signal is a beam of light shining out from your router. That signal wants a clear path. But what gets in the way?

Walls and Doors
Mirrors and Windows
Fish tanks, brick, tile, or metal
Giant filing cabinets from 1974 (Yep. Wi-Fi hates them.)

So, if your router is stuffed behind a couch in the back bedroom? That’s like trying to shine a flashlight through a brick wall.

💡 Tip: Put your Wi-Fi router somewhere central and up high—think “kitchen counter or bookshelf,” not “floor behind the TV.”

🪄 Secret #2: Your Router Has a Favorite Spot (And It’s Not the Garage)

Wi-Fi routers do best when:

They’re not near microwaves or cordless phones
They’re not inside cabinets
They’re not under your metal desk from Office Depot

And get this—some houses in Lemon Bay and Placida have mesh walls or aluminum siding that turn your home into a Wi-Fi maze. If that’s you, you might need a Wi-Fi extender or a mesh system (fancy words, but easy to use).

📡 Secret #3: Not All Wi-Fi Is Created Equal

Most modern routers have two bands:

2.4 GHz – Slower but better at going through walls
5 GHz – Faster but doesn’t go as far

Think of 2.4 GHz like a pickup truck—it can go anywhere, but it’s not winning races.
5 GHz is the sports car—it’s fast, but not great off-road.

💡 Tip: Use 2.4 GHz for smart devices like your Ring doorbell or Alexa, and 5 GHz for your streaming or video calls.

🧽 Bonus Tip: Clean the Crud!

Sometimes your Wi-Fi is slow because your device is bogged down.

Restart your router once a week
Clear your browser cache (I’ll show you how in a future post!)
Unplug devices you’re not using—yes, your old Kindle from 2011 might be dragging you down

🛠 Still Slow? You’re Not Alone.

Many homes in Grove City and Port Charlotte have outdated routers from their cable company. They weren’t made for today’s smart homes or remote work. If you’ve had the same router since Obama’s first term, it might be time to upgrade. (Need help? I know a guy. 😉)

📢 Let’s Get Your Wi-Fi Zoom-Ready

Whether you’re trying to stream a sermon, take a class, or just FaceTime your cousin in Boca, your Wi-Fi shouldn’t make you want to scream into a pillow.

Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll talk about what to do when everyone in your house is online at the same time. (Spoiler alert: it’s not always the router’s fault.)

Need help with setup or want me to check your Wi-Fi situation? I’m local, I make house calls, and I speak human—no geek-speak required.

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