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How to set up my home Wi-Fi best and how does Wi-Fi work?

Connecting to the internet via a Wi-Fi network is convenient and easy. To make sure everything works as it should, it's a good idea to know at least the basics of how Wi-Fi networks work.

  • Connect your devices wirelessly via Wi-Fi - no cables to deal with.
  • The strength of the Wi-Fi signal is affected by various obstacles such as walls, metal objects, furniture or even a large mirror. To get the best Wi-Fi signal coverage in your home, it's a good idea to place your Wi-Fi modem in the middle of your home. If you need to extend the signal to more distant rooms, you can buy Wi-Fi repeaters from specialist retailers or connect another Wi-Fi router in another part of the home.
  • It is important to note that the highest speeds are always achieved when the computer is connected via a network cable. With Wi-Fi connections, there is a loss of speed due to the nature of the technology.
  • Do you have a lot of neighbours in the vicinity? Wi-Fi networks can interfere with each other. Read more.
  • If you find your connection slow, follow this guide.

How can I change my Wi-Fi network settings (name, password and other parameters)?

For information, see the instructions for your Wi-Fi modem or Wi-Fi router. We've prepared step-by-step procedures for the modems we sell; you can find them by modem name in this section of the Care Center.

What is the difference between 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and 5GHz Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz

  • This is an older technology, so it is supported by virtually every device that can connect to Wi-Fi networks.
  • The advantage of this frequency is the longer range of the transmitted Wi-Fi signal.
  • The disadvantages are lower connection speeds (in practice, you can usually reach tens of Mbit/s) and greater possibility to be interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks.

Wi-Fi 5 GHz

  • Not all devices (modems/routers and receiving devices such as phones, laptops, etc.) support Wi-Fi at the 5 GHz frequency. That is, why it is important to pay attention to the technical parameters of the devices you connect to the Internet at home.
  • The advantage of this frequency is high connection speeds (in practice you can reach several hundred Mbit/s). In addition, there is little chance of your Wi-Fi network interfering with your neighbours' network.
  • The disadvantage of a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network is the smaller range. For larger apartments or houses, it is necessary to take into account that the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network will not cover the entire household.

What network should I set up at home?

  • It's common to have both types of networks enabled on your Wi-Fi modem at home (if it supports it). If you name the two Wi-Fi networks differently (for example, you add 5GHz Wi-Fi to the 5G name), you can easily determine which Wi-Fi to connect to.
  • For computers, smart TVs, or even gaming consoles, it's a good idea to choose a 5 GHz Wi-Fi network if they're close enough to your Wi-Fi modem. You'll probably need the fastest connection speeds on these devices, and they'll be in one place most of the time.
  • On the other hand, you can choose a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network for mobile phones so that they don't get disconnected from the Wi-Fi network in remote parts of your home.
  • However, the situation is different in every household, so take our tips as recommendations as they may not apply to every household.

How do I know if my computer supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

For information on supported technologies, see the manufacturer's specifications. If you don't have them, you can use the following guide on Windows computers. The procedure may vary slightly depending on the system version. If in doubt, we recommend that you contact your dealer or manufacturer's support for further information.

Click the Start menu, search for Device Manager in the search box, and click this menu.

This guide can also help you.

Expand Network adapters.

Here you will see devices related to wireless technologies.

Find a network adapter that has the word “Wireless” in its name. Double-click to open the details for it.

On the “Advanced” tab, under Properties, look for items related to 5GHz Wi-Fi. If you find them, the device supports 5 GHz Wi-Fi.

How do I connect to Wi-Fi on my device?

You can usually find information about your Wi-Fi network's default settings (network name and connection password) on a label on the modem. We have prepared step-by-step procedures for the modems we sell, which you can find by modem name in this section of the Care Center (only in Czech).

Last updated 17. 02. 2023
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