Why Your Office Wi-Fi Is Probably Bad
Most small office Wi-Fi setups share the same problem: someone plugged in the router from the internet provider and hoped for the best.
Those free routers aren't designed for offices. They're fine for a family watching Netflix. They're not fine for 8 people on video calls while downloading files and using cloud software.
According to Ofcom's 2024 Business Connectivity Report, 34% of small businesses say poor connectivity affects their productivity. That's a lot of wasted time waiting for things to load.
Good news: fixing this isn't complicated or expensive.
The Basics: What You Actually Need
Internet speed
First, check what speed you're actually getting. Go to speedtest.net and run a test.
For an office of under 10 people, you need at least:
- 50 Mbps download for basic work (email, web, documents)
- 100+ Mbps if you use video calls regularly
- 200+ Mbps if you handle large files or have heavy cloud use
If your speed test shows much less than what you're paying for, call your provider. If it matches what you pay for but isn't enough, upgrade your package.
The router
The box your internet provider gave you is designed to be cheap, not good. For a small office, you have two options:
1. Replace it with a better router (£100-200)
2. Add a separate Wi-Fi access point and turn off Wi-Fi on the ISP router (£80-150)
Either works. Option 2 is often easier because you don't mess with your internet connection.
Quick Fixes That Cost Nothing
Before buying anything, try these:
Move the router
Wi-Fi signals weaken through walls, floors, and furniture. Put the router:
- In the middle of your office, not in a corner
- Up high (on a shelf, not the floor)
- Away from metal filing cabinets and thick walls
- Not inside a cupboard
Restart it properly
Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on. Do this weekly. It clears out memory problems that slow things down.
Check what's connected
Smart speakers, old phones, tablets nobody uses—they all clog up your network. Disconnect anything that doesn't need to be there.
Switch to 5GHz
Most routers broadcast two networks: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 5GHz one is faster but shorter range. If you're close to the router, use 5GHz.
Change the channel
Neighbouring offices might be using the same Wi-Fi channel, causing interference. Your router's settings let you change channel. Try channels 1, 6, or 11 for 2.4GHz.
When You Need Better Equipment
If the free fixes don't help enough, here's what to buy:
For a Single Room Office
A decent standalone router handles most single-room offices fine.
Good choices:
- TP-Link Archer AX55 (around £100)
- ASUS RT-AX58U (around £130)
- Netgear RAX50 (around £150)
These are all "Wi-Fi 6" routers, which handle multiple devices better than older models.
For Multiple Rooms or Thick Walls
One router won't cut it. You need a "mesh" system—multiple units that work together.
Good choices:
- TP-Link Deco M5 (3-pack, around £150)
- Google Nest Wifi (2-pack, around £200)
- ASUS ZenWiFi AX (2-pack, around £300)
Mesh systems create one Wi-Fi network that covers your whole space. Devices switch between units automatically as you move around.
For Reliability-Critical Offices
If Wi-Fi going down would seriously hurt your business, consider business-grade equipment:
Good choices:
- Ubiquiti UniFi access points (from £100 each)
- TP-Link Omada access points (from £80 each)
These are what shops and restaurants use. They're more reliable, handle more devices, and can be managed centrally. Setup is trickier—you might want an IT person for this.
Setting Up a New Router (Step by Step)
It's easier than it looks:
1. Plug it in. Connect the new router to your ISP router using an ethernet cable (port labelled WAN or Internet).
2. Connect to it. Look for the Wi-Fi network name and password on a sticker on the router. Connect your phone or laptop.
3. Open the setup page. Type the address on the sticker into your browser (usually something like 192.168.1.1 or tplinkwifi.net).
4. Run the setup wizard. Follow the prompts. Set a sensible network name and a strong password.
5. Turn off Wi-Fi on the old router. Log into your ISP router and disable its Wi-Fi so it doesn't interfere. Keep it plugged in—it's still handling your internet connection.
6. Connect everything else. Tell your team the new Wi-Fi name and password.
The whole process takes about 30 minutes.
Guest Wi-Fi: Why You Need It
If visitors ever connect to your Wi-Fi, set up a separate guest network. This keeps them on a different network from your business devices.
Most routers have a guest network option in settings. Turn it on, give it a different name and password.
Why bother? Because if a visitor's laptop has a virus, you don't want it spreading to your computers. The guest network keeps them isolated.
Security: The Minimum You Should Do
Wi-Fi networks can be hacked. According to the National Cyber Security Centre, weak Wi-Fi security is a common way criminals access small business networks.
Essential steps:
1. Use a strong password. At least 12 characters. Not your business name or address.
2. Use WPA3 or WPA2. These are the security types. Never use WEP (it's ancient and hackable in minutes). Most modern routers default to WPA2 or WPA3—just don't change it to something weaker.
3. Change the admin password. The password to access router settings is different from the Wi-Fi password. Change it from the default (which is usually "admin" or "password").
4. Keep firmware updated. Router makers release security updates. Check for updates every few months, or turn on auto-update if available.
5. Don't hide your network name. Some guides say to hide your SSID (network name) for security. This actually makes things harder to manage without adding real security.
What If Wi-Fi Still Isn't Enough?
Sometimes Wi-Fi just won't give you the reliability you need. Options:
Use ethernet cables where possible.
For desktop computers and printers that don't move, a cable is always faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi. Get a small network switch (£20-40) and run cables to fixed devices.
Try powerline adapters.
These send network signals through your electrical wiring. Plug one into a socket near your router, another in a distant room, and you've got a connection. Quality varies with your building's wiring. TP-Link and Devolo are reliable brands. About £40-80 for a pair.
Get better internet.
If your internet speed is the problem, no amount of Wi-Fi equipment will help. Consider:
- Upgrading your package
- Switching to a provider with faster options in your area
- Full fibre (FTTP) if available—much faster and more reliable than part-fibre (FTTC)
You can check what's available at your address on Ofcom's broadband coverage checker.
What to Spend (Realistic Budgets)
Just fixing what you have: £0
Move the router, change settings, restart weekly.
Single room upgrade: £100-150
Good Wi-Fi 6 router.
Multi-room coverage: £150-300
Mesh system (2-3 units).
Proper business setup: £300-600
Business-grade access points plus a small network switch, professionally configured.
Common Mistakes
Buying the cheapest router
The £30 routers on Amazon are genuinely terrible. Spend £100+ and you'll actually notice the difference.
Putting the router in a cupboard
It needs line of sight. Cupboards, behind furniture, in the ceiling void—all bad ideas.
Ignoring ethernet
Wi-Fi is convenient but cables are better for things that don't move. Use both.
Not testing after changes
After any change, run speed tests in different parts of your office to confirm it helped.
Assuming it's the internet provider's fault
Sometimes it is. Often it's your local Wi-Fi setup. Check speeds with a device plugged directly into the router via ethernet to rule this out.
The Bottom Line
Bad Wi-Fi is fixable. Start with the free stuff: move the router, restart it regularly, reduce connected devices. If that's not enough, a £100-150 router upgrade makes a real difference.
For multi-room offices, a mesh system is the simplest solution. For critical reliability, business-grade access points are worth the extra cost and complexity.
Don't forget the basics: use cables where you can, set up a guest network, and keep everything updated.
Good Wi-Fi isn't a luxury. For a modern small business, it's essential infrastructure. Spend a bit of money, spend a bit of time, and stop losing hours to buffering and dropped connections.
