Most people forget about their routers until their internet goes down or their speeds slow down so much it becomes unusable. But if you’ve troubleshooted your internet until you couldn’t troubleshoot anymore and still haven’t found relief from your slow internet speeds, it might be your hardware. Here are three fixes for your slow internet that don’t take a tech expert to implement but will need some extra love in the hardware department. Let’s dive right in!

1. Set Up A Mesh Network

If upgrading and relocating your Wi-Fi router doesn’t solve your dead zones, a mesh network might be right for your family. Mesh Wi-Fi systems come in a package of two to three devices including a router and one or two satellites or nodes. Sometimes a system will omit the router and give an additional satellite instead assuming the end user has a router that’s mesh capable. They are designed so that each component of the system can all work together within one wireless network, so you’ll only have one network to worry about. Mesh Wi-Fi systems are superior to ordinary range extenders and repeaters because the nodes can talk to the router and to one another rather than simply rebroadcasting the signal.

However, if you decide that a mesh Wi-Fi system is for you a new system will cost you from $200 and up. With mesh network systems, they get pricey fast depending on the number of satellites or nodes you need.

2. Hardwire In Whenever Possible

At the end of the day, no matter how fast your Wi-Fi is, your Wi-Fi is only as fast as your router will deliver it. When you directly plug in your ethernet cable into your device, you’re going to get the exact speeds being delivered to your modem without any slowdowns. Hardwiring your internet connection also makes it more reliable, faster and more secure. This is why gamers, streamers and businesses choose ethernet cables over Wi-Fi when possible.

This solution won’t cost you more than $25 unless you’re running some serious ethernet cabling. Ethernet cables are cheap and won’t break the bank especially if your device is super close to your modem. However, this solution is only part of a bigger solution if your slow speeds are affecting more than your favorite devices.

3. Take Advantage Of Whole Home Wi-Fi From Your Internet Provider

If you’re not a tech expert or you don’t feel like fiddling around with new networking hardware, ask your internet service provider about whole home Wi-Fi solutions. Most internet providers like Frontier, Cox Communications, MetroNet, Cincinnati Bell, WOW!, Wave Broadband and many others offer a whole home Wi-Fi product.

If you decide to go with this route, one of their technicians will come into your home, run a bunch of tests and then install the best whole home Wi-Fi solution for your home. There’s zero extra work on your part and your internet provider’s service technician will leave with your Wi-Fi up and without dead zones or weak spots. However, this service will cost you from $8 to $15 a month.

Cartridges are delicate and susceptible to dirt. It is the reason why they need the same care we give for babies. Luckily, you can easily replace a worn-out needle if it suddenly clicks, hisses, or gives off an awful sound that ruins the entire music. However, the question lies if a replacement is the most viable solution, or cleaning would be enough to bring the entire thing back to its healthy state.

Replacement styli prices start from a measly €16.00. Although this is a small amount, it is impractical to ditch a stylus more often than you should. When the sound starts to lose its immaculate quality, it’s just right to wonder what the problem could be. Firstly, check the turntable, the vinyl, and if the cartridge needs some cleaning.

Keep in mind that spending for a replacement should always be the last resort.

 Cleaning Your Turntable

You shouldn’t wait for the dust to be apparent on the edges of a turntable. The dirt could cause serious harm to the vinyl or the entire record player system. If it’s a piece of vintage equipment, consider using a mould killer on the wooden parts and rubbing alcohol on the actual turntable where the vinyl disc gets played.

Using a lint-free, microfiber cloth, gently wipe on the center and carefully move outward in a circular motion. When using rubbing alcohol, make sure to dry the surface, as you don’t want moisture to build up there. Cleaning the music equipment would depend on how frequently you listen to it.

Cleaning The Stylus

An unclean stylus produces a hissing, clicking, or popping sound. Apart from the inaccurate sound, it can make unrecoverable scratches on your vinyl album. Prevent the micro-debris from permanently damaging your discs by cleaning them the right way.

As these needles are extremely fragile, it needs a cleaning fiber as soft as a baby’s skin. Onzow Zerodust is one of those stylus cleaners that fit the description. Lower the cartridge so that the needle’s tip would mildly touch the cleaner. Apart from Onzow Zerodust, other trusted brands are Audio Technica’s AT617a cleaner, the more expensive VP Dustbuster, and dampening gels such as the Moongel.

Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser is a DIY alternative to the above solutions. However, the safe way to do it is by using the white magic eraser. There are other versions of this product that have blue sides, which are diluted in cleaning agents. This blue magic eraser is harmful to styli and must be avoided.

Replacing The Stylus

For the best record player music experience, manufacturers recommend replacing the stylus every 1000 hours of playing time. With regular turntable usage, it would mean that you should replace the needle every couple of years.

Several turntable fans are skeptical about the above manufacturer’s recommendation. However, many would say that it’s best to follow the expert’s advice to extend the lifespan of your turntable and protect your precious vinyl albums. This simple needle replacement solution at the right time will bring the life back to your music while keeping your equipment at its best.

All aspects of our lives are becoming tech-centric. As we are bending towards technology and scientific innovations, we feel no need for traditional and outdated systems. Similarly, modern communication devices seem to be overpowering our lives leaving no space for traditional landline telephones – or is it really true? You might be wondering how landline phones can be of any benefit in a society where cellular devices offer texting, mobility, and many other digital services. Well before you make up your mind about ripping the landline telephone away from your home, let’s take a look at some of the advantages that prove that landline phones are a necessity in your modern households.

Landline Phones are Convenient for Homes

With the advancements in technology, landline phones have also undergone many changes. Just by keeping your mobile phones near the base station of a landline, you can now connect them with the new cordless telephone through the technology of Bluetooth. It will indeed make the quality of your call reception very good. You can work in your outhouse or basement and communicate effectively through your cordless phone. Moreover, those living in the countryside, where the signals are fuzzy and bad, should definitely use landline phones, otherwise, they might find it difficult to convey messages to their loved ones.

Landlines are also convenient for those who find new emerging technology in mobile phones difficult to understand. A majority of our older generation cannot wrap their head around the complicated touchscreen smartphones, so landlines prove to be a simple and easy medium of communication for them. You need to consider the ease and comfort of your grandparents, right?

Furthermore, not only do landlines make the audio quality high but they cost much less than mobile phones. And as a cherry on the top, landline phones exhibit the proof of your residence, which comes in handy for legal purposes.

Landline Phones Integrate Well With Other Services

There are many services that we use at our homes including the internet, security systems, and cable TV, etc. Nowadays, people prefer to buy all these services from one company and bundling of all these services helps them save quite a lot of money. Many providers offer different services along with the landline connection. If you are not taking advantage of such amazing opportunities, you are definitely at the losing end. Bundling all the services together not only is cost-effective but also makes the process simple and convenient. Imagine buying different home services from different providers. What a mess of bills would that be! Moreover, landlines also integrate well with the internet, home security alarms, and cable TV. For instance, Caller ID on TV is an important part of Spectrum voice features. You can see who’s calling from miles away, and choose to accept it or not from your remote control.

Landline Phones are Reliable in Emergencies 

One of the main reasons why landlines are still favored by people is that they provide a secure service in case of any emergency or issue. Whether there is a power failure or the weather turns bad, landline phones outlast other systems of communication and prove to be highly reliable. The cables and wires of landlines are usually fixed underground with a strong protective casing, which makes them secure even during natural disasters.

On the other hand, 911 emergency dispatchers can pinpoint the location of the caller much easily through the landline service. They can track down the address of your residence through your landline number, and make sure that the emergency response team reaches faster to you. You are never sure of when you are going to be confronted by any kind of emergency, so you need to take better measures for your safety and install a landline phone. 

Landline Phones are Less Prone to be Misplaced

Landline phones are connected with cords and cables and thus, are fixed at a particular place in a house. Nowadays, everyone is busy trying to cope with everyday challenges. Misplacing mobile phones is one of the most common occurrences, which results in a loss of time, data, and money. A great advantage of using landline phones is that you will never be worried about misplacing them. The cordless phones are also connected to their base units, which come with the feature of ‘locate handset’. When you activate this feature, the base unit sends a signal to the cordless phone which then sets off a loud alarm sound, so you just need to follow the noise to find your cordless phone. 

Wrapping Up

Landline phones provide reliable, convenient, and smooth communication access. You might believe that your mobile phone is your best friend, but in the long run, a home phone turns out to be an amazing one-time investment. Don’t be reckless and have a landline phone plugged in your house ASAP.