A WiFi is an important asset in any home today, providing remote internet access to multiple devices at the same time. As a central hub for day to day actions, it can also be frustrating when speeds are slow, connection keeps dropping or there isn’t enough range on the WiFi to reach your room which is on the furthest side of the house. There are multiple ways through which you can boost your WiFi signals and it doesn’t necessarily always involve adding an extender.
Firstly, make sure that your hardware is up-to-date. For example wireless A, B, G and N are previous standards while AC is the latest and currently being offered more commonly on the market. AC helps with better streaming since it can move data faster than the older versions. Older routers also have trouble sending signals over longer ranges so you could always buy a new one if you feel like the router isn’t performing up to the mark.
Another thing to keep in mind is to make sure that your router is placed in a good position, out in the open free of any walls etc. Most routers have a mounting option as well or you could have third party brackets installed in order to mount it up on a wall. Make sure the antennas are kept perpendicular and the spot is somewhere in the center of the house in order for the signals to reach all over the house and every room. If your router has built-in antennas then you can add external ones to boost your signals. There are two types of antennas, directional ones which boost signals to specific areas and omnidirectional ones which send signals in every direction. If this doesn’t work either, you could always add an extender in the room where signals are weak.
Make sure that the router’s firmware is up-to-date as well since manufacturers are regularly releasing new updates to fix bugs and other issues. Most routers have the process built into their configuration page. If your router doesn’t have a self-update option, you’ll have to do it manually by visiting the manufacturer’s site and downloading it from there. Updates can improve performance, provide better features and increase security.
You could also change the channel on which your router operates. If your neighbours have routers, then this could cause overcrowding on one network and hence a lot of interference. You can switch to another channel to get less interference. This is usually done from the configuration page or administration settings. Devices such as phones and microwaves cause interference as well so make sure your router is placed away from these appliances. Also make sure to change your security key regularly to avoid hackers or external strangers to hog your WiFi. Unwanted people on your network could also cause slow speeds and bad signals. Hopefully these tricks and tips will eventually boost your WiFi signals to reach even the furthest ends of your house.
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