Making the most of your work from home setup

A reliable internet connection is essential for creating a productive home office for remote work. From video calls that don’t freeze, to efficient online collaboration and file sharing, this article will help make sure you’ve got the right setup for your workday — including how to choose the right equipment, enhance your Wi-Fi coverage, and troubleshoot common internet issues.

Use a wired connection to get the fastest speeds

For the fastest and most reliable internet experience, opt for a wired connection. By directly connecting your devices to your router or Ethernet switch using an Ethernet cable, you can significantly reduce latency and improve its overall performance. 

GFiber routers and Mesh Extenders have multiple Ethernet ports, making it easy for everyone in your household to enjoy the benefits of a wired connection. 

Remember, a wired Ethernet connection always delivers the fastest internet speeds. By adding an Ethernet switch to your network setup, you can connect your Mesh Extenders to the wired network. This ensures optimal reliability and the fastest possible speeds for all devices that are connected to them.

Upgrade your cable

To make sure you’re getting the fastest speeds, use a Cat6 cable or a newer version. Cat6 cables are designed to handle faster data transfer rates than older versions. If your cable is a Cat6, it’ll usually be labeled as such. 

• If your computer doesn’t have a built-in 2.5 Gbps Ethernet port or faster (this is currently rare on laptops, but often upgradable on desktops), you’ll need a 2.5 Gbps or faster Ethernet adapter to fully leverage your internet plan.
• Our Amazon microstore offers a selection of compatible Ethernet adapters. It’s important to choose the right adapter for your device, as not all are compatible. 
• Common adapter speeds are 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps. To get the most out of your internet plan, select an adapter that matches or exceeds your internet speed.
• Note: Most devices — like laptops and gaming consoles — have a maximum speed of 1Gbps. To reach faster speeds, you’ll need a capable adapter.

Choose the right equipment to optimize your Wi-Fi connection

Sometimes, it’s just not possible to use a wired connection. If you’re using Wi-Fi to connect your work devices, we recommend the GFiber Wi-Fi 6E Router.

Wi-Fi 6E offers significantly faster speeds than older Wi-Fi standards like Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5. While Wi-Fi 6E can reach speeds of up to 1.6 gigabits per second, your device’s Wi-Fi capabilities also play a crucial role in your overall internet performance. To maximize your connection, check the Wi-Fi standard of your devices.

Remember, if you need even faster speeds, consider a wired connection, which will always bring faster speeds than you’ll get over Wi-Fi. The Wi-Fi 6E Router’s 10G LAN port supports incredibly fast, symmetrical speeds (depending on your internet plan). 

Learn how fast your Wi-Fi can go

If you’re using Wi-Fi, you’ll find that the speed you experience on your network is influenced by several factors, including your internet plan, the capabilities of your devices, and the age of your devices. In general, newer wireless devices use standards that enable faster Wi-Fi speeds. You'll get the fastest speeds if you have the GFiber Wi-Fi 6E Router and Wi-Fi 6E compatible devices.

Here’s a breakdown of potential download speeds for different Wi-Fi standards under optimal conditions^* (assuming you have Core 1 Gig or higher): 

^{*Optimal conditions include a clear line of sight to the router, minimal interference, and a compatible Wi-Fi 6E device.
**Applicable to 2 gig plans or higher. Check plan availability at your address.} 

For more information, check out maximum internet speeds on GFiber.

Improve your Wi-Fi coverage with well-placed Mesh Extenders 

Mesh Extenders can dramatically improve your Wi-Fi coverage by creating a seamless network throughout your home. This is especially helpful for larger spaces or areas with a weak signal, like bedrooms or basements. 

While mesh systems generally outperform traditional repeaters (other devices used to extend your wireless signal’s range), overcrowding your home with too many Mesh Extenders can actually hinder your internet performance by creating interference. To get the best results, position your Mesh Extenders carefully. Avoid placing them too close to your router, metal objects, or obstructions like walls. 

Here are some things to keep in mind when setting up your Mesh Extenders:

• Main Mesh Extender placement: Place your primary Mesh Extender one or two rooms away from your router. Aim for a height of 5 to 10 feet off the ground, away from obstructions like walls or furniture.
• Strategic Mesh Extender placement: Extend your Wi-Fi coverage by placing additional Mesh Extenders in areas with weak signals. Ideally, you should position them halfway between your router and the spot with poor coverage. 
• Home layout matters: Consider your home’s structure when positioning Mesh Extenders. Thick walls, concrete, and metal can weaken Wi-Fi signals, so we recommend placing your Mesh Extenders accordingly to minimize interference.
• Daisy-chaining your Mesh Extenders: In homes with unique layouts, like ranch-style or L-shaped homes, it might be difficult to place Mesh Extenders in optimal locations for a direct connection to your router. In these cases, daisy chaining might be necessary. This involves connecting one Mesh Extender to the wireless signal of another, instead of the router. Your GFiber equipment will automatically detect and configure this setup, so all you need to do is pair and place the extenders.

Some final tips for getting more speed out of your WFH setup

Follow these steps to check and improve your internet speed and home office environment:

• Run a speed test: Use a reliable service like Ookla to measure your upload and download speeds.
• Utilize the GFiber app: The Network Health feature provides insights into your connection, including signal strength and potential issues.
• Troubleshoot issues: Ensure all devices, including your router and modem, are connected and powered on correctly. Restarting them can often resolve problems. If that doesn’t work, these tips can help diagnose common internet issues.

Need more help?

For detailed information about internet speeds and troubleshooting Wi-Fi issues, you can refer to these articles: 

• Maximum internet speeds on GFiber
• Run an internet speed test
• Wi-Fi troubleshooter

By switching to a wired connection, you'll experience a noticeable improvement in your internet performance.