Do you offer any discounts?

Yes, AvidWorks offers multiple discounts: Student Discount, Teacher Discount, Elder Discount (60+), Healthcare Worker Discount, and First Responder Discount. All discounts equal 15% off of labor charges. Discounts do not apply to businesses, cost of replacement parts, and cannot be combined with any other discounts.

Do you offer referral discounts?

Yes, referrers receive 20% off of labor charges on next service and referrals receive 15% off of labor charges. Discounts do not apply to cost of replacement parts and cannot be combined with other discounts.

Do you offer a Service Guarantee?

Yes, all services are guaranteed for 30 days following the initial service date. Any parts that have been replaced and have been damaged due to abuse are not covered under this warranty.

Do you offer Emergency Services?

Yes, AvidWorks offers Emergency Drop-off and On-Site after hour services. These services incur a 50% increased hourly labor charge and are subject to availability. Emergency services are a 2 hour minimum charge with the exception of emergency remote support which is a 1 hour minimum charge.

Where should I place my Wi-Fi router for best performance?

Place your router in a central location, elevated position, away from obstacles like thick walls and metal objects, and avoid interference sources like microwaves and cordless phones.

When should I upgrade my router?

Upgrade if your router is over 5 years old, doesn't support modern standards, can't handle your internet speed, has too many connected devices, or can't cover your space effectively.

How to Optimize Your Wi-Fi Network for Better Performance

Slow Wi-Fi, dead zones, and dropped connections can make working from home or running a business incredibly frustrating. The good news is that most Wi-Fi performance issues can be resolved with proper optimization. Whether you're in a small apartment or a large office, these techniques will help you get the most out of your wireless network.

Router Placement

Where you place your router has a huge impact on performance:

Central location – Place the router in the center of your coverage area
Elevated position – Higher placement helps signals travel farther
Avoid obstacles – Keep away from thick walls, metal objects, and appliances
Avoid interference sources – Keep away from microwaves, cordless phones, and other electronics
Open space – Don't hide the router in cabinets or behind furniture

Router Configuration

Choose the Right Frequency Band

Modern routers offer 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. 2.4GHz travels farther but is slower and more crowded. 5GHz is faster but has shorter range. Use 5GHz for devices close to the router and 2.4GHz for devices farther away.

Update Firmware

Keep your router's firmware updated to ensure you have the latest performance improvements, security patches, and bug fixes. Check for updates in your router's administration interface.

Change Wi-Fi Channel

Routers automatically select channels, but this isn't always optimal. Use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to see which channels are least congested in your area and manually select a less crowded channel in your router settings.

Enable Quality of Service (QoS)

QoS prioritizes traffic for specific applications or devices. Configure QoS to prioritize video calls, gaming, or other critical traffic over less important activities like file downloads.

Extending Coverage

Wi-Fi Extenders

Wi-Fi extenders repeat your existing signal to extend coverage. They're affordable and easy to set up but can reduce performance since they repeat the signal rather than create a new one.

Mesh Wi-Fi Systems

Mesh systems use multiple nodes that work together to create seamless coverage throughout your space. They're more expensive than extenders but provide better performance and simpler management.

Access Points

For larger spaces, wired access points provide the best performance. Connect them via Ethernet backhaul to your router for maximum speed and reliability.

Device Optimization

Update Network Adapters

Ensure your computers and devices have updated Wi-Fi adapter drivers. Outdated drivers can significantly impact performance and compatibility with newer router features.

Use 5GHz When Possible

Connect devices to the 5GHz band when they're within range for faster speeds. Reserve 2.4GHz for devices that are farther away or don't support 5GHz.

Limit Background Activity

Background downloads, updates, and cloud syncs can consume bandwidth. Schedule these activities for off-peak hours or pause them during critical work periods.

Security Considerations

Security affects performance—unauthorized users can slow your network:

Use WPA3 or WPA2 encryption – Avoid WEP which is insecure and slower
Strong passwords – Prevent unauthorized access
Change default admin credentials – Protect router settings from changes
Disable WPS – Wi-Fi Protected Setup can be a security vulnerability
Network isolation – Separate guest networks from your main network

When to Upgrade

Sometimes optimization isn't enough and an upgrade is needed:

Old router technology – Routers over 5 years old may not support modern standards
Internet speed exceeds router capacity – New high-speed internet requires capable routers
Too many devices – Older routers struggle with many connected devices
Large coverage area – Single routers can't cover large spaces effectively
Business needs – Business-grade routers offer better performance and features

Need Help Optimizing Your Network?

AvidWorks provides network optimization services for homes and businesses in Kern County. From router configuration to complete network design, we'll help you achieve optimal Wi-Fi performance.