If you’re hitting the top speeds of your internet plan but things still aren’t fast enough, upgrading your plan might be your best option. However, if you test your connection and find that you’re nowhere near the speeds your plan is supposed to deliver, you don’t always have to pay to improve your performance. There are ways to boost your Wi-Fi signal completely free.

Are there paid solutions to your wifi woes? Absolutely. You can throw more money at your ISP, or you can buy a new and improved router. Of course, those methods will cost you money, so see if you can speed up your digital life without spending a dime.

One of the best things you can do for your Wi-Fi performance is to put your router out in the open. It’s tempting to hide your router somewhere where no one will see it, because who wants to stare at a boring, blinking box? But the truth is, your devices want to be free.

Your router is responsible for sending out your Wi-Fi signal, and that signal is only as good as its surroundings; if it encounters interference, the signal won’t be as effective. Interference can come from physical elements in your home, like walls and doors, or other electronic signals from devices like microwaves and cordless phones.