Mesh routers like the Google Wi-Fi router can be a great way to get strong Wi-Fi in a large home. Yet they also use a network management system that can slow down the speed of a device even when it has strong Wi-Fi. This network management can result in buffering for your Roku, Fire TV, or Apple.
Google’s Wi-Fi router is one of the devices that aggressively prioritize device Internet speed. This prioritizing of devices could mean your router is giving more speed to your computer and less to your Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV. This slow down can result in buffering as you watch Netflix not because of Wi-Fi speeds but because other devices are given priority.
The good news is Google Wi-Fi and others offer the ability to change which devices have priority on your network. Today I am going to explain how to do that with a Google Wi-Fi. If you have a different type of mesh router check your manual for help.
To change the priority of a device with Google Wi-Fi, you need the Google Wi-Fi app on your phone or tablet.
After you open the Settings tab, click on Priority Device. There, you will be able to select the device you want to prioritize from anywhere between 1 to 4 hours.
One warning about doing this from Google:
Keep in mind: Any device on your Wi-Fi network — whether wired directly or connected wirelessly — can be prioritized. Only one device can be prioritized at a time, and it will limit the Wi-Fi speed of your other devices.
So, next time you have an issue with buffering check to see if it’s your mesh Wi-Fi network.
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