Wi-Fi Connectivity Improvement Tips for Swann Products

My internet is normally good, but the connectivity of my Swann device is still weak

It’s important to remember that the internet speed coming to your house is not the same as the wireless connection around your house and that many factors can cause issues with wireless performance.

Having a fast internet connection (optimally fibre/NBN/Broadband) is a good first step to a great Swann experience.

Swann devices work best with at least 1Mbps (& ideally >2Mbps) of upload bandwidth per device to provide the best possible video and audio experience.

The upload speed requirement is per device, so if you wish to run four Swann Wi-Fi cameras at the same time, then your total upload speed needs to be at least 4Mbps, and preferably at least 8Mbps.

How do I know if my internet speed is good enough?

There are widely & freely available apps and websites such as https://www.speedtest.net/ which you can use to get an approximate idea of the Upload and Download speeds of your home network.

You simply need to use one of these apps on a phone or computer connected to your Wi-Fi network, and then run the test to see how the speed looks in different locations around your home.

You can use this network speed information to help identify better mounting locations for your Swann cameras.

I have less than 1Mbps connectivity

If you are getting less than 1Mbps you can still enjoy the Swann experience, but you may notice lower video or audio quality when using your device.

We’d recommend you speak to your Internet Service Provider about upgrading your connection speed. This will not only benefit your Swann devices but will improve your whole connection experience on the internet too.

I have more than 1Mbps connectivity, but my Swann device is still slow

If you have at least 1Mbps of upload speed, we know that the connection is good and we can move forward to making sure your home network is performing as best it can.

There are a variety of factors that could affect the speed and connectivity of your Swann devices.

Why else could my signal be low?

Within the Swann Security App’s main settings menu, you will be able to see the Wi-Fi signal strength for each of your cameras. For optimal performance, we recommend that each camera is positioned in a location that delivers at least 30% signal strength at all times.

There are a number of factors that can cause your signal to be low.

These can be things such as obstacles in the way of the signal (big metal objects, big thick walls, double glazing, fridges, microwaves and other devices), the position of your wireless Router, or interference from neighbouring networks called ‘channel interference’.

There are ways to rectify these issues in a simple and straightforward way, without any technical knowledge required.

Here are a few steps we can take to improve your signal:

Position of your wireless router

• If your wireless router has been installed on the floor or behind a TV (which is common in Europe), the first thing to do is to get the wireless router up off the ground and away from the big metal TV which is blocking some of the signal to and from the router.
  We recommend than you position your wireless router around 1.2m off the floor and away from any big metal objects, or other wireless devices, such as baby monitors or video extenders.
• If your wireless router is at the opposite side of the house from where your Swann device is, you can try and move your wireless router closer to the Swann device using a broadband or cable extension kit. Moving the wireless router even a few metres closer can have an impact, especially if there are other objects in the way.
• If you have big metal or structural objects like boilers or water tanks between your router and your Swann device, you can try and move your router so that the object is no longer in direct line of sight of the Swann device.

After completing one or more of these steps, check the signal strength for your Swann device in the app again. If the speed and quality has improved, you will be set! If not, you can further explore some of the issues below.

Channel interference

Channel interference is caused when there are multiple wireless networks in the area, all sharing the same channel and competing to be heard.

If you're getting interference from competing Wi-Fi networks:

• Many modern routers have utilities that allow them to scan for the least crowded channel to broadcast on. Check your router's documentation to find out how to enable this feature on your router.
• If you've tried channel switching and are still getting slow internet speed, try setting the channel manually and then run a speedtest again to see if it has improved.
• Consider upgrading to a new router, especially if yours is more than a few years old.

Changing the channel on your router

This process is different for each router and internet provider, and you may need to check your internet provider’s website for instructions on how to access the settings on your router.

The first place to check is the sticker on the bottom or back. This will normally have the default password and may have the web address to type into a computer.

Once you are logged in, you should see “Channel” somewhere in your wireless settings. We recommend using channels 1, 6 or 11, and try running tests with each to see which gives the best performance.

Test again

If the steps we have taken thus far are not improving the signal and connection experience, there are a few other things that can be done in order to improve the signal by introducing additional networking kit to boost your signal around the home.

Using a Mesh network

If you want to improve your Wi-Fi coverage for your whole home, then mesh wireless could be an option. These systems work by having multiple units plugged in throughout the house, while seamlessly allowing devices like mobile phones to connect to the strongest signal as you walk about the house.

Most of the large internet providers have their own mesh wireless systems, and leading brands also have products available.

If you're getting interference from other electronics:

• Try turning off or unplugging some of your electronics.
• Some electronic devices such as PCs, TVs, and video game consoles can be wired directly into your router using Ethernet. Attaching these devices to a wired connection will free up bandwidth on the Wi-Fi.
• Try moving other electronic devices. Even a few feet can make a big difference.
• Most Swann devices are designed to function with a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi signal for the best range. Other devices can operate using a 5GHz signal. Try switching any devices that can manage it over to the 5GHz signal.