Signs your crusty old Wi-Fi router desperately needs an upgrade

If you’re anything like me, the last thing on your mind is your Wi-Fi router. You plug it in and you get internet to your devices, and as long as it does the thing, then it’s fine, right? As it turns out, maybe not.

It’s not always obvious to tell if you need to replace or upgrade your Wi-Fi router. So here are a few telltale signs that your crusty old router is well overdue for an upgrade.

Router age

Many experts suggest that if you don't use that many smart devices around your home, you can probably get away with replacing your router every five years.

But these days, who doesn't have some smart device connected? Even your fridge can be a smart device!

So, if you've got multiple devices connected to the internet, it's a good idea to update your router every two to three years. There are the usual caveats to this where you may want to investigate upgrading sooner, which I'll touch on below, but basically it depends on the capacity of your router and what speed your NBN connection is.

Type of internet connection and speed

Not all routers are created equal. Most wireless routers have a cap on what speeds it can accommodate.

Sometimes routers can accommodate higher speed connections when you switch the channel width and channel of your router's Wi-Fi bands, but this isn't the case for all routers.

So, if you've upgraded your internet speed and internet connection type (e.g. upgrade to FTTP) recently, your wireless router may not be ideal for it.

This means you could be paying for something you're not getting. That's pretty bad.

Info about what speeds your modem router can achieve will likely be on the manufacturer's website, so just Google the make and model to find out what speeds it can accommodate. If it's less than the plan you're on, then it looks like it's time for an upgrade.

Poor performance

Have you noticed the speed of your internet connection is slower than it used to be? There are many reasons why Wi-Fi routers perform poorly, but one common reason is an outdated router.

Slower internet speeds, particularly when you've had a decent connection in the past, could be a sign that your router isn't performing as well as it should.

Routers rarely show outward signs of decay, rather they will display symptoms of decay, and slower than usual speeds to your devices is one signal that your router is on its way out.

One way to check is to use an Ethernet cable to connect a computer or laptop directly to your modem. If performance is noticeably better than when using Wi-Fi at close range in the same room, then you've likely identified your problem.

Connection issue

Similar to above, having difficulty connecting or staying connected to Wi-Fi is another sign that your router is on its way out.

If your Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting you, especially when you've had a reliable connection in the past, this could be an indication that your wireless router is degrading and it's time to update. Or your router may also stop holding your settings as a result of a decay of flash memory that stores the device's configuration.

Another sign your router is well past its use-by date is when you start noticing a weaker Wi-Fi signal in places around your home where it used to be crisp. Although this is more likely to be due to your router placement or some kind of interference with your signal, it's also potentially another symptom of a dying Wi-Fi router.

To test this, first check the placement of the router and make sure that there's nothing new that might be interfering with the Wi-Fi signal from spreading around your home. If that's all cool, as noted earlier, try plugging in a computer to your modem to test if performance changes.

It’s what’s on the inside that counts

Pet hair, dust bunnies, and all kinds of gunk can get sucked into your router through its air vents. Too much of this and its performance can dramatically drop.

It’s a good idea to periodically blast the vents with compressed air to dislodge any build-up of whatever gross stuff that’s accumulated back there, and this can sometimes be enough to get your main router back up and running.

But, again, if age is a factor, or if there’s just too much detritus backed up in there, it’s probably better to just upgrade and reap the benefits of the latest router technology.

Control the internet. Oh the power!

As your family or household grows, your internet needs and the way your family accesses the internet will also change. So you'll want to harness the full power and controls that the latest routers can offer.

(Read about how a mesh network at home can help keep your family in check)

New Wi-Fi routers do more than just spread the internet love around your home. Today, there are a whole host of controls you can access, including some pretty deep parental controls and monitoring, network security, as well as ways for guests to access your Wi-Fi without having to share your password.

A mesh router, like the new eero 7 router, also lets you set up a mesh Wi-Fi network that gives you impressive coverage throughout your entire home.

Get free* eero 7 Router

(Cyber) safety first

On top of parental controls and monitoring, some of the latest Wi-Fi routers, including the Amazon eero router (now available to Superloop customers), offer eero secure service as an additional add-on.

The latest routers often offer you the ability to engage additional cyber security features like ad blocking, content filtering, and other stuff that may vary.

Today, with cyber threats running rampant, and with Australia a major target for such attacks, it's even more important that your internet security becomes a major priority. Plus, as we're increasingly working from home these days, securing your home network is even more critical than ever.

Not all wireless routers offer these kinds of features, particularly many older routers, so if you're concerned about your family's online safety and home network security, then upgrading to the latest router is a good start.

Overheating

If your router frequently overheats, it is a strong indication that you need to replace it. Overheating can cause unstable connections, slow internet speeds, reduced lifespan of the router, and frequent disconnections. These issues suggest that your router is struggling to handle the workload and may be on the verge of hardware failure.

Constant rebooting

Constant rebooting is a major sign that it’s time to replace your Wi-Fi router. When a router reboots itself multiple times, it indicates potential hardware issues or an inability to handle the existing traffic load. Frequent reboots can also be linked to overheating and the age of the router. If your router reboots frequently, it is best to upgrade to a new one to ensure stable and reliable performance.

Device compatibility

Using the latest mobile devices, tablets, or laptops with a router that only supports Wi-Fi 4 means you are not fully utilizing your tech gadgets’ capabilities. Modern devices are designed for Wi-Fi 6 or 7, which offers better performance, speed, and efficiency. If your router does not support the current Wi-Fi standards, it is time to upgrade to a router that supports Wi-Fi 6 or 7 to enjoy improved performance from your devices.

Outdated firmware

Ensure that your router’s manufacturer is releasing new updates for your router’s firmware. Outdated firmware poses a significant threat to your cybersecurity. If the manufacturer stops releasing updates for your router model, it is crucial to replace your router as soon as possible to maintain security and optimal performance

So, do you need to upgrade your router?

Ultimately, whether or not you need a new router entirely depends on what you've got and what you want out of your internet.

Routers are far from being any kind of sexy purchase that you're going to be psyched about having to buy, but they're so critical to everything we do online that they're hard to completely ignore.

Technology moves fast, and this goes for Wi-Fi routers too. So if you use the internet on an outdated router, you could be missing out on a whole lot of features -- and speed! -- that you're paying good money for.

Wi-Fi routers with Superloop nbn plan

Superloop now offers a selection of Wi-Fi routers to purchase when you switch to a Superloop business nbn plan or home internet plan. Existing Superloop users can purchase Wi-Fi routers and extenders on Superloop the app.

Superloop is offering free* eero 7 with selected home NBN plans. To enjoy this offer, get one of Superloop's eligible plans and stay with us for 24 months.

For business internet customers, the eero 7 Wi-Fi router can also be free* if they stay connected to Superloop internet for 36 months.

Get free* router with Superloop business internet

*Connect to one of our eligible nbn plans and stay connected for 24 months to get an Amazon eero 7 for FREE. Check out terms & conditions.