Home Network Health Check

Dead zones are usually a coverage problem inside the home, and our guide says a faster subscription does not automatically fix dead zones. Mapping the weak spots comes before buying anything. Map your home's weak spots

Our mesh guide suggests a wired test to tell Wi-Fi coverage problems from internet service problems. If the wired result is also slow, the guide says mesh will not resolve a bottleneck outside the Wi-Fi coverage itself. Start with a simple diagnosis

Our dead-zones guide lists microwave ovens, which share the 2.4 GHz range with some Wi-Fi, and nearby networks competing for the same channels as common causes of weak or unreliable Wi-Fi. It suggests trying 5 GHz or moving the router away from the kitchen, and says automatic channel selection works well for most homes. Can microwaves cause Wi-Fi dead spots?

Our disconnecting guide says that noting when drops happen often reveals the cause, such as scheduled router reboots, parental-control schedules or automatic updates, a coverage problem in one room, or the modem and provider when wired devices drop too. Spot the pattern

Our guides say a satellite placed inside a dead zone usually performs poorly, that a node needs a strong connection to the main unit, and that chaining extenders to reach the far end of a home is a sign they are a poor fit. Getting mesh placement right

Our dead-zones guide says a wired link to a second access point or mesh node usually beats a wireless one. Where running Ethernet is not practical, MoCA (over coax TV cable) and powerline (over electrical wiring) use wiring you may already have. MoCA vs powerline adapters

Apple calls two routers doing the same job double NAT and says it can cause problems. Our guide covers Bridge Mode (Xfinity) and IP Passthrough (AT&T), including what you give up. Use your own router with an Xfinity or AT&T gateway

Our router guide says Wi-Fi 6 handles many devices efficiently and remains a sensible baseline for many homes, and that you only get a standard's full benefits when both the router and the device support it. Wi-Fi 6 vs 6E vs 7

The FTC recommends WPA3 or WPA2 encryption and says a router that only offers outdated WEP or WPA should be updated or replaced. Secure your router

The FTC says default and reused passwords are easy for attackers to find online, and CISA says a strong password is long, random and unique. Our security checklist includes changing the default router admin password. Use strong, unique passwords

CISA says many software updates fix security risks and recommends installing them as soon as possible and turning on automatic updates. The FTC says your router counts too. Keep firmware, apps and your router updated

The FTC suggests turning off remote management, WPS and UPnP if you do not need them, and our router buying guide says to make sure you can turn off remote management when you do not need it. Secure your router

The FTC recommends two-factor authentication for a camera's cloud account where it is available, and CISA says that with it someone who steals your password still cannot meet the second step. Turn on two-factor authentication

Our smart-home networking guide says visitors should get the guest network with its own name and password, and that every network, including guest and IoT networks, should have a password. Quick answer: guest and IoT networks

The FTC suggests choosing a camera with different permission levels if other people will watch your feed. Our guide says never to hand out your own login, and to review shared users from time to time. Share access safely

The FTC suggests putting cameras on a separate network from computers and printers. Our guide covers guest and IoT networks, and what can break when devices are separated. IoT and guest network setup

Our guide notes that many Wi-Fi smart-home devices only support 2.4 GHz, that WPA3-only security can block older devices, and that outdoor devices may need a closer access point or mesh node. Smart home devices that keep going offline

Our outdoor-camera guide says to test the camera's Wi-Fi signal at the exact spot before drilling, and to try free fixes first if it is weak. Test the Wi-Fi before you drill

Our camera security guide says a physical lens cover is the most visible protection for cameras in living spaces, because you can see at a glance that the lens is covered. Software privacy modes also stop recording, but you have to trust the app's status. Use a privacy shutter or privacy mode indoors

Our local vs cloud storage guide says cards and drives can fail silently, and suggests playing back a recent clip to confirm recording still works. It also notes that local storage overwrites the oldest clips and cloud plans keep clips for a set number of days. Protecting your footage

Our guides say replacing a router becomes more reasonable when it no longer receives security updates or reboots frequently, and that update support and the maker's end-of-life policy matter more than most performance specs. Key router features to check

Our camera security guide says to install updates as soon as they are offered and to turn on automatic updates if your camera or app supports them. CISA says many updates fix security risks, and the FTC advises keeping the camera app on your phone up to date. How often should I update my camera's firmware?

Our guides say to record each original setting before changing it so you can undo anything that makes things worse, and to use one phone or laptop for every test and repeat it after each change. A simple room-by-room test

Our smart-home networking guide says to remove devices you no longer use from your network and apps, and our camera guide says to remove signed-in or trusted devices you do not recognize. Basic security for every smart device