What is the average lifespan of a wireless router

You will realize that your old router is delivering half the speed you requested when you notice the delivery is slow. It signifies your router is incapable of handling the speeds your ISP has provided.

You may have an obsolete router, which is incompatible with the current technology. Your Wi-Fi may suffer from frequent dead areas, and the position of your router is usually to blame. It is recommended that you install your router at a physically higher elevation and in a vertical posture for the best coverage. For the finest Wi-Fi connection, you can move your router around. Wireless interference from microwaves and baby monitors can be reduced by moving your router.

Using Wi-Fi extenders can help improve your Wi-Fi connection. This is done by broadcasting a signal in places where dead zones are experienced. High power surges and breakdowns can cause your router to short circuit prematurely. Just like your TV and fridge, your router requires a powerful protector. You might choose to connect your router to a UPS device that you also use with your computers and printers.

Router efficiency is hindered by dust. Wipe it down with a moist towel every so often. Place your router in a place where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight when you are finished with the process. As you know, heat is not usually good for electronics. Your router is not an exception to this rule. If your router does not have its own pre-installed virus software, you can install it yourself.

With the prior firmware, these imperfections would have been obvious. It safeguards your network and hardware from cyber security breaches. Turning your router on and off on a regular basis will keep it in working order if you do not use it regularly. Some advise people to replace their mattress every four to five years, while others propose keeping it until it breaks down. I like the Ookla speed test, which is fast, free, reliable and easy to use -- you can run it in your browser by clicking here , or you can download Ookla's speed-testing app to your Android or iOS device, or even to an Apple TV.

Whatever devices you use, those results should give you a clearer sense of whether the problem is tied to a specific client device or location in your home, or whether it's a bigger issue affecting everything. With the numbers giving you a better understanding of the status quo, make some quick tweaks and see if things improve. Try repositioning the router to a spot that's more open and central within your home, preferably in a location that's as high as possible.

While you're at it, adjusting the angle of the antennas might help boost the signal to specific spots around the house. It's also a good idea to blast the ports in the back and the airflow vents with a can of compressed air to break through dust build-up -- gunk like that can cause your router to overheat and its performance to dip. Router technology and security are always improving, and we've seen some significant jumps in the past few years with the arrival of Wi-Fi 6 and WPA3 , the latest generations of Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi security, respectively.

Generational advances like those leave yesterday's routers in the dust, so it's worth upgrading to a router that supports them as soon as it makes sense for you to do so -- even if the one you're using now is still getting the job done. Outside of that, the mere fact that so many of us are spending so much more time at home these days makes the idea of upgrading your router even more compelling. Upgrading to Wi-Fi 6, a new generation of Wi-Fi that's better suited for dense, crowded environments where you have lots of devices competing for bandwidth, is definitely one way to give your network a boost -- and with lots of new Wi-Fi 6 routers and client devices available on the market right now, seems like a particularly good year to buy in.

That said, you'll want to temper your expectations for Wi-Fi 6E , a new designation for special Wi-Fi 6 devices that are equipped with an additional radio that can send signals through a super-wide mass of spectrum in the 6GHz band, which the FCC opened for unlicensed use last year.

Is your connection strong in some places throughout your home, but weak or nonexistent in others? In , we had the Today, we have the superfast Most routers in the market will give you a coverage of feet and above. Should you require more coverage then it is prudent to get yourself a Wi-Fi extender. This can be strategically placed within the house for extended coverage. If your range is becoming poor over the years, upgrading the router may not solve your problems and you maybe forced to purchase a new router.

Routers operate like mini-computers with processor chips and memory. They tend to be very intelligent. However, if you find yourself facing constant router reboots then it becomes more costly to repair the internal components and replacing your router would be more appropriate.

Now you know when to replace your router, but another important thing you need to know is how to extend its lifespan. If you want to extend the average lifespan for your modem then you need to place it somewhere it will not easily fall down or obstruct you.

This is a place where children or dogs will not be tempted to topple it over. The place should be well aerated to prevent the router from overheating or gathering dust. Some people will prefer placing their modems on book shelves while some will mount it on walls.

The choice will largely depend on the router design and available room space. Occasionally run your router with the manufacturer for any firmware updates. This helps clear any errors that would have been present with the old firmware.

The final way to tell it's time to replace a router is when it lacks a few of the most important features found in modern routers. Features like longer ranges and mesh compatibility are important if you have a lot of space to cover.

Wireless standards also improve over the years, so if your router uses an outdated protocol, it's time for an update. Many different things can cause internet connectivity issues, so you shouldn't automatically assume that you have a lousy router just because your internet stopped working.

If your connection isn't working right now, you can take some steps to fix your internet connection. If you determine that the router is at fault, then it's time for a replacement. Here are some of the most common issues that indicate a router is on its way out:. The biggest thing that kills routers over time is heat, as these devices tend to run hot and usually rely on passive cooling. Plus, we often shove them in closets or other areas that don't get a lot of air circulation.

If the router's in a confined space, it probably has dust-clogged vents. Wear and tear, damage due to heat, and outdated technology are critical factors to consider.

You can replace components like your router based on an arbitrary age, but doing so can be a waste of money if you end up replacing things too soon. The other significant factor that plays into replacing a router due to time is outdated hardware. You have to look at specific features and standards to determine whether or not a router is outdated for sure, but if your router is more than ten years old, you're probably two or three significant revisions out of date.

The last way to tell that it's time to replace your router is missing features and standards. This is a bit of a messy indicator because some people prefer to be on the cutting edge of new technology, while others want to get the most use possible out of their hardware. With that in mind, you'll want to look at specific features and standards to see whether or not you need them.

The most important indicator of whether a router is ready to be replaced is its wireless standard. These are the three most commonly used standards:.

The general rule of thumb is that if you're still working with a Wi-Fi 4 router, it's probably old enough that it could stop working at any time, and it likely doesn't work as well as it did originally due to general wear and tear.