- Update your firmware; with new routers this is really easy, you can navigate to your router's setting using an app or by going to 192.168.0.1 and then putting your credentials (hopefully they aren't default and if they are CHANGE THEM NOW!). In the setting there is usually a button to "update firmware". Some really nice routers do this for you automatically.
- Put your router some place open and if possible high up. This keeps the waves from being blocked by walls, furniture, and because of the design of most routers the waves travel downward.
- Use AES encryption and have friends use a guest network to limit privileges
- If possible schedule big downloads at non-peak times (like midnight or 2am)
- Reduce the number of items connected to the router. If you aren't using your cell phone, tablet, gaming box, etc and it has a Wi-Fi connection (sometimes by default) turn it off or disconnect it. I recently did this to my child's PS3 and Wii.
- Restart the router: have you tried turning it off and back on again. I know it is cliche but sometimes restarting the connection to your modem and refreshing the connections the router is making can help. I have found cycling both the modem and router is a really good refresh during peak times (dinner time / early evening when everyone is online).
- All else fails, maybe it is time for new equipment. I wrote this back in December 2016 but it was pretty thorough https://technologylibrarian.blogspot.com/2016/12/mesh-networks-amplifi-hd-eero-google-wi.html I recently recommended a new router to a coworker and they saw a vast improvement in their Wi-Fi performance.
I was inspired and took some information from this article: https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-make-your-wifi-better-faster
