Reasons why Wi-Fi works better on your phone

Have you noticed that your mobile Wi-Fi is faster than on your computer? Although it may seem strange, as we would expect the computer to have a better connection due to being more powerful, this can happen.

Understanding why Wi-Fi sometimes works better on our mobile phones than on computers can seem like a mystery, especially when we assume that computers, due to their greater power, should offer better connectivity. Although we would expect, at best, similar performance on both devices, there are times when Wi-Fi simply seems to fly on our mobiles while it appears to drag on PCs. In this article, we explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and offer solutions to ensure your wireless connection is also optimal on your computer.

What makes Wi-Fi work well on mobile and poorly on PC

If you see that Wi-Fi works much better on your mobile than on your computer, it will make you wonder if there is a problem with the PC. It is very likely that there is, and in that case, you will have to take certain measures to make the wireless connection work better, with good speed and stability. But why can this happen?

Compatible standard

The first reason is due to the different types of Wi-Fi standards available. First, the router will offer different standards. For example, you may have a modern router that operates via Wi-Fi 6. If you have a compatible mobile device, you will then have very good speed and signal quality.

On the other hand, your computer may only be compatible with the Wi-Fi 5 standard, which is the previous one. In that case, you won't be able to achieve maximum speed and will be more limited. This doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the PC, but simply that it's compatible with an older standard.

Limited network card

Another cause is that your computer has a limited network card. This doesn't mean it doesn't work well, but you will have problems reaching maximum speed and getting good coverage. This can especially occur if you use an internal card, like those that come with a laptop.

In this case, even if you can connect to the Internet wirelessly, it is possible that Wi-Fi works better on your mobile since it may have a more updated network card. This will result in a better signal and higher browsing speed.

Incorrect band usage

You should also consider the use of different Wi-Fi bands. Nowadays, modern devices can connect to both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The first has greater coverage, although the speed is more limited; on the other hand, the second will offer greater speed, but only if you are close to the router.

Your computer might not be dual-band and only operate on the 2.4 GHz band. This will prevent it from competing in speed with your mobile, which would connect to the 5 GHz band. But it could even happen that you are using an incorrect band on your PC without knowing that you could use a different one and get better quality.

System-level problem

Another frequent cause is a system-level problem on the computer. For example, it might be overloaded or there might be a program interfering, which will prevent the wireless connection from working well. If it's not optimized, problems of this type can appear at any time.

But besides that, there is also the problem of malware. A virus in the system can cause Wi-Fi to malfunction. It can even cause the connection to drop constantly or prevent us from using the network card. If you have downloaded any suspicious files or installed any problematic applications, what we are discussing could be the cause.

What to do to make Wi-Fi work well on your computer

So, what can we do to make Wi-Fi work well on the computer? We are going to give some recommendations so that you don't find that the wireless network works better on your mobile than on your PC. This way, you can browse normally and not have any problems.

Check the configuration

The first thing you should do is review the configuration correctly. It's important to check if you are connected to the appropriate band, if the network card is properly configured, and that nothing is amiss. Any error you make in the configuration can affect the Internet connection and cause it to be slow.

For example, you can configure your computer to work with both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This way, it will connect to whichever is best at any given moment, and you can make better use of the connection.

Maintain good equipment performance

Another very important point is to always keep the equipment in good condition. Install official applications and configure them correctly. Avoid programs that could interfere, such as having a VPN that doesn't work well. It's important to make it work as optimally as possible.

Furthermore, it's a good idea to have security programs. This will help you avoid malfunctions and prevent your system from getting viruses. If there's malware, it could be blocking the wireless network and causing Wi-Fi to work poorly on your PC, so having security software helps prevent this.

Update drivers

An essential factor for Wi-Fi to work well on your computer is to have updated drivers. This way, you will ensure that the network card works properly and that there are no compatibility issues with the system. If you have outdated versions, this can lead to the wireless network not performing at its best.

To update the card in Windows, you need to go to Start, enter Device Manager, Network Adapters, and then select the corresponding card. You need to right-click and select Update driver.

Change the network card

Another option to improve your computer's Wi-Fi connection is to directly change the network card. You might be using the one integrated into the laptop's motherboard, and these are often very limited, have poor range, and don't allow for good internet connection speeds.

You can purchase a USB Wi-Fi card and connect through it. However, make sure it is USB 3.0, supports the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, and has a good antenna for sufficient range to connect from a distance without coverage problems.

In short, if you see that Wi-Fi works better on your mobile than on your computer, it could be due to several factors we've discussed. Nevertheless, you can take into account some recommendations to ensure your PC works well and has good speed and quality of internet connection.