Home Tech Setup

Set up and troubleshoot Wi-Fi, smart home, and streaming tech at home.

Before You Call Your ISP, Try This First
Featured · Home Tech Setup

Before You Call Your ISP, Try This First

Run through this checklist before reporting an outage. Many common internet problems can be resolved at home in minutes.

By Technology Editorial Team · 5 min · Mar 28, 2025
Common Smart Home Myths That Lead People to Buy the Wrong Things
Home Tech Setup

Common Smart Home Myths That Lead People to Buy the Wrong Things

From "all devices work together" to "smart homes are only for tech experts" — separating smart home fact from fiction.

By Technology Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 23, 2026
Getting Smart Home Devices from Different Brands to Work Together
Home Tech Setup

Getting Smart Home Devices from Different Brands to Work Together

Not every smart device talks to every other one. Learn how compatibility standards like Matter and Zigbee affect your setup choices.

By Technology Editorial Team · 8 min · May 25, 2023
Home Network Security: Habits That Keep Your Devices and Data Safer
Home Tech Setup

Home Network Security: Habits That Keep Your Devices and Data Safer

A practical overview of the steps homeowners can take to reduce risk on their home Wi-Fi network — no IT background required.

By Technology Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 25, 2023
Home Streaming Setup: Everything From the Router to the TV
Home Tech Setup

Home Streaming Setup: Everything From the Router to the TV

A thorough walkthrough of what you need — and how to connect it all — to get reliable, high-quality streaming in your home.

By Technology Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 15, 2024
How Bandwidth, Speed, and Latency Actually Differ — and Why It Matters for Streaming and Gaming
Home Tech Setup

How Bandwidth, Speed, and Latency Actually Differ — and Why It Matters for Streaming and Gaming

These three terms get used interchangeably but mean different things. Understanding them helps you diagnose performance problems faster.

By Technology Editorial Team · 7 min · Jun 27, 2025
Mesh Networks vs. Wi-Fi Extenders: Choosing the Right Fix for Your Home
Home Tech Setup

Mesh Networks vs. Wi-Fi Extenders: Choosing the Right Fix for Your Home

Mesh systems and range extenders both expand Wi-Fi coverage, but they work very differently. Here's what sets them apart.

By Technology Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 5, 2023
Setting Up a Smart Home from Scratch
Home Tech Setup

Setting Up a Smart Home from Scratch

New to smart home tech? This guide walks you through planning, connecting, and organizing devices without prior experience.

By Technology Editorial Team · 7 min · Mar 23, 2023
Smart Speakers, Smart Displays, and Voice Assistants: What Each One Actually Does
Home Tech Setup

Smart Speakers, Smart Displays, and Voice Assistants: What Each One Actually Does

Confused by the range of voice-enabled devices? This explainer breaks down what each type does and where they fit in a home setup.

By Technology Editorial Team · 8 min · Sep 25, 2023
Smart Thermostats: What Changes After You Install One
Home Tech Setup

Smart Thermostats: What Changes After You Install One

Smart thermostats promise convenience and efficiency, but they also come with real limitations. Here's an honest look at both sides.

By Technology Editorial Team · 6 min · Aug 1, 2025
Streaming Keeps Buffering: A Systematic Way to Track Down the Problem
Home Tech Setup

Streaming Keeps Buffering: A Systematic Way to Track Down the Problem

Buffering is frustrating but usually fixable. Walk through a logical process to identify whether the issue is your device, network, or service.

By Technology Editorial Team · 6 min · May 25, 2023
Things Worth Knowing Before Mounting a TV on the Wall
Home Tech Setup

Things Worth Knowing Before Mounting a TV on the Wall

Wall-mounting a TV involves more than drilling a few holes. Here's what to think through — from stud placement to cable management.

By Technology Editorial Team · 5 min · Apr 6, 2025
What Those Router Lights Are Actually Telling You
Home Tech Setup

What Those Router Lights Are Actually Telling You

A quick-reference guide to the status lights on common home routers and what each color or pattern typically means.

By Technology Editorial Team · 5 min · Jun 22, 2023
Wi-Fi Dead Zones: Why They Happen and What Actually Fixes Them
Home Tech Setup

Wi-Fi Dead Zones: Why They Happen and What Actually Fixes Them

Understand why certain rooms lose Wi-Fi signal and learn practical ways to eliminate dead zones without calling a technician.

By Technology Editorial Team · 8 min · Oct 27, 2023
Wired vs. Wireless Home Networks: The Real Trade-Offs
Home Tech Setup

Wired vs. Wireless Home Networks: The Real Trade-Offs

Ethernet and Wi-Fi each have genuine strengths and weaknesses. See how they compare across speed, reliability, cost, and convenience.

By Technology Editorial Team · 7 min · Jul 17, 2023
Your Router Placement Is Probably Wrong — Here's Where It Should Actually Go
Home Tech Setup

Your Router Placement Is Probably Wrong — Here's Where It Should Actually Go

Where you put your router has a bigger impact on speed and coverage than most people realize. Learn the placement principles that matter.

By Technology Editorial Team · 5 min · Jun 13, 2026