TL;DR: Most residence Wi-Fi issues are placement + band + channel width. Put the router high with line of sight, use 5 GHz for speed, 2.4 GHz (20 MHz) for reach, and pick clean channels. If Zoom still stutters, test Ethernet; if that’s solid, book a remote tune-up or plan a mesh.

What you’ll learn

The three levers that fix most problems: placement, band selection, and channels/width.
A quick way to tell if the fault is Wi-Fi vs ISP.
Student-friendly tweaks for Zoom/Teams classes and calls.
When to book a remote tune-up or install mesh Wi-Fi.

1) Placement: free performance you can see

Radio hates obstacles. The more walls, metal and mirrors between you and the router, the worse the signal.

Height & sight. Place the router waist-to-head height on a shelf or wall, not on the floor or inside a cupboard.
Spread antennas. If your router has external antennas, set two at ~45–60° and one vertical—helps both horizontal and vertical coverage.
Avoid interference. Keep 1–2 m away from microwaves, cordless bases, large metal fridges, mirrors, and fish tanks.
One SSID per flat (ideally). Too many networks with similar names confuse devices. If you manage multiple APs, use the same SSID and password across them with non-overlapping channels.

If moving the router cuts disconnects in half, you’ve found the biggest win already.

2) Bands & channel width: pick the right lane

2.4 GHz (range)

Best for through-walls reach and legacy devices.
Use channel 1, 6 or 11 only.
Set channel width to 20 MHz. Wider widths overlap neighbours and cause retries.

5 GHz (speed)

Faster and less crowded; range is shorter.
Use channels 36–48 or 149–165.
Set 80 MHz width near the router; drop to 40 MHz if the airwaves are busy or your router struggles.

Pro tip: Separate SSIDs (e.g., MyFlat-2G and MyFlat-5G) so you can choose the best band per device. Some routers “band-steer” well; others don’t.

3) Zoom/Teams stability checklist

Prefer 5 GHz for calls; sit closer to the router.
Ethernet beats Wi-Fi. A cheap USB-C/USB-A Ethernet adapter can save an exam or interview.
Close bandwidth hogs: cloud sync, Steam updates, torrents.
Use headphones to reduce echo; enable noise suppression in app settings.
Test upstream. Upload needs to be stable for video—if your speedtest has jitter or spikes, call your ISP or move to Ethernet for the session.

4) Router basics that actually help

Reboot ≠ fix. Reboot once after changes; constant power-cycling hides real faults.
Update firmware from the admin page or manufacturer app.
Rename SSIDs clearly and disable WPS; use WPA2-PSK/WPA3-SAE.
Use a strong passphrase (12+ chars); avoid flat number or name.
Record your settings (screenshot). After a reset, you can re-apply them in minutes.

Need a hand? Book a remote tune-up: /services/remote-support-setup/

5) Is it Wi-Fi or the ISP?

Test Ethernet. Plug your laptop into the router with a cable.
- If Ethernet is fast and stable but Wi-Fi lags → it’s a wireless problem (placement/channel/width).
- If Ethernet also drops, log a fault with your ISP (line noise, congestion, or router fault).
Try a phone hotspot briefly. If the call is perfect on LTE/5G, your apartment Wi-Fi or ISP link is the culprit.
Check router lights/logs for DSL/Fibre drops or re-syncs.

We can help you collect evidence and escalate to the ISP if needed.

6) When to install mesh (and how to do it right)

Use mesh if you need coverage in multiple rooms or floors.
Place nodes one wall apart from each other—good signal between nodes is critical.
Prefer wired backhaul (Ethernet or powerline if clean); otherwise, keep nodes in line of sight for a strong wireless backhaul.
Keep one SSID across nodes for seamless roaming; avoid double NAT by bridging your ISP router where possible.

Plan it with us: /services/mesh-wifi-planning/

7) Quick outcomes we can deliver remotely

Read the local Wi-Fi spectrum, choose cleaner channels, and set widths.
Rename SSIDs and improve security (WPA2/3, no WPS).
Optimise Zoom/Teams device settings.
Document a backup Ethernet plan for exams/interviews.
Start here: /services/remote-support-setup/ or full Wi-Fi/Network Setup: /services/wifi-network-setup/

Privacy & your data

We follow POPIA-aligned practices when we access your network during remote sessions. Only authorised technicians view settings, and any credentials you share are handled securely.

Final word

Most Stellenbosch Wi-Fi issues don’t need a new ISP—just the right band, clean channels and better placement. Try the safe checks above; if calls still stutter, book a remote tune-up or plan mesh for reliable coverage.

Need help now?

Wi-Fi/Network Setup → /services/wifi-network-setup/
Remote Support → /services/remote-support-setup/
Mesh Wi-Fi Planning → /services/mesh-wifi-planning-install/
Contact → /contact/