Wi-Fi is an essential technology these days, with everything from our PCs to our smartphones constantly connected to the internet. However, given its ubiquity, it can also be a source of perpetual frustration, with connection issues quickly becoming annoying. Whether it's a slow connection or dead spots in your home, most Wi-Fi problems can be fixed by improving the signal strength. Sometimes this can be done for free, but depending on the layout of your home, you may also want to upgrade your equipment.
5 Moving the location of your router
Centralizing your Wi-Fi source is key
While it's easier for your ISP's technician to install your Wi-Fi router near the internet connection to your home, that's not always the best location for you. Wi-Fi signal strength is reduced by every wall, door, device, or other object it has to pass through, so it's better to put the router in a more central location in your home. This was true even back when routers only had 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, but it's even more relevant today because the 5GHz and 6GHz bands, while faster, have less range. The more things there are between your router and you, the less chance you have of getting a good signal.
It is also advisable to place your WiFi router as high as possible as this improves line of sight and increases the connection strength of your devices. Be sure to keep your router in sight. Hiding it behind cabinets, doors or the TV will reduce the signal strength in your home and leave you wondering why your WiFi is giving you problems.
4 Upgrade to a mesh network
Sometimes an upgrade is the simplest solution
If you find that your Wi-Fi signal is still giving you problems after moving your router to a more central location, you still have options. One of the best ways to get consistent Wi-Fi in your home without dead spots or weak areas is to invest in a mesh router kit. These are essentially mini routers with identical features that use a different Wi-Fi band as a dedicated backhaul between them. Having more access points in your home reduces the chance of walls and other objects reducing signal strength. This is my recommendation for anyone having problems with their signal.
Mesh routers are more expensive than regular routers, in part because each device costs the same and includes the same powerful hardware. But the ease of use, consistent signal strength, and advanced algorithms that optimize that signal strength are worth the extra expense. You don't have to go for the latest Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6E devices; anything with Wi-Fi 5 or Wi-Fi 6 is fine if you want to grab a bargain while those devices are on sale. But if you live in a densely populated area with high Wi-Fi congestion, you'll want to look for at least Wi-Fi 6 so you can take advantage of the less-used frequency bands.
3 Add some Wi-Fi extenders
Cheaper than mesh networks
If you have a Wi-Fi router you particularly like, or want to try a slightly cheaper alternative before switching to a mesh network, you can improve the signal by installing a few Wi-Fi extenders around your home. These are simpler devices that receive and relay the Wi-Fi signal from your main router, but they won't give you the smooth experience of a mesh network.
One big difference is that Wi-Fi extenders often broadcast their own SSID, so devices have to switch between different access points as they move around your home. For devices that don't move, like a desktop PC or smart TV, this is less of a concern, but it's worth considering if you decide to upgrade. If you have an Asus or TP-Link router, you may be able to purchase extenders that work like a mesh network, giving you more consistent signal strength for less investment.
2 Reduce sources of interference
Change your Wi-Fi band
Network congestion is now a big problem because almost everyone has a WiFi router at home. Since most of these routers operate on the same channel by default, they quickly start to interfere with each other, making the experience worse for everyone. Even if a small percentage of Internet users change the default channels, everyone will have better signal quality.
In your router's settings, look for the “Wi-Fi Settings” menu and the channel your router is set to. You can change this for both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands (6GHz bands are newer and less frequently congested). Higher channel numbers are likely to be less congested, but you should also check the lower channels as this will depend on what your neighbors have set on their routers. Some routers will search for less congested channels themselves, or you can download an app for your phone that will tell you which channels are busier and which ones you should switch to.
1 Update your device's Wi-Fi adapter
The problem could be with your device
It's easy to focus on the Wi-Fi router because that's where your internet comes from, but there's another side to every Wi-Fi connection. Depending on how long you've had your PC or laptop, the Wi-Fi adapter it comes with could be several Wi-Fi generations behind. It's pretty easy to get a new Wi-Fi card, whether it's a PCIe card or an M.2 adapter designed for laptops or Wi-Fi-equipped motherboards. Insert the new adapter and update the drivers. You may find that your Wi-Fi signal problems are no longer an issue. Of course, devices like TVs or phones can't upgrade their Wi-Fi this way, but if they're having connection issues, it might still be time to think about upgrading to a newer model.
You don’t have to buy anything to improve your home’s Wi-Fi signal, but it helps
These days, WiFi routers are pretty good and have advanced algorithms to optimize their WiFi signal. In most cases, adjusting where the signal is being sent can do wonders for the overall signal strength in your home. If you find that you're still having problems, consider upgrading to a mesh network or adding some extenders to bring WiFi to all the areas of your home that are having problems.