How To Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

No matter what you’re doing online, you want to maximize your internet connection. You deserve a fast and reliable internet service and a dependable Wi-Fi signal to deliver that connection to your home and devices.

So what happens if you run into frequent lagging while gaming online or if your signal keeps dropping whenever you’re trying to stream? What can you do about the wireless dead zones in your home? Depending on the size and layout of your home and how new your router and equipment are, it is possible to boost your Wi-Fi signal without requiring any upgrades and purchases.

Is Your Router Causing Signal Issues? Here’s How to Troubleshoot Your Internet Connection

Before you start, ensure your router doesn’t cause signal issues. Check for the router’s model and age.If you’ve had your router for over five years, it probably can’t deliver the speeds on your internet plan. When it comes to delivering gigabit speeds, if your router is old, might be time to replace it.

You should also confirm that your internet connection isn’t a problem. During some of these tests, run a series of speed tests and connect your computer directly to your modem and router with an Ethernet cable.

If the speed results you see while connected to your modem are nowhere near what you’re paying for, then there is an issue with your internet service provider.

Your speeds may be throttled, or they can’t keep up with the demand for bandwidth that occurs during peak usage hours. If the results you get while connected to your modem and router are within range of what you’re paying for, but your results while on Wi-Fi could be better, it’s time to follow the steps below.

Step 1: Place Your Router High Up

Routers typically radiate radio waves in a downward direction, so elevating your router can help to optimize coverage. Aiming for a height of approximately five to seven feet above the ground is advisable. Consider using a shelf, mantle, or counter top for your router’s placement. Regardless, refrain from positioning it on or close to the floor.

Step 2: Place Your Router in a Central Location

Ensure your signal is distributed as evenly as possible throughout your home. Placing your router on one end of your home might result in the other end not receiving a good signal. At the very least, ensure that all areas in your home where you plan to connect to the internet are within range of your router’s signal. It’s also a good idea to place your router in the open.

Many users tend to put their routers in either closets or cabinets or hidden behind furniture, but they need to know that they’re just placing additional barriers for the signal to cross to reach their devices. Ensure your router is placed so your signal travels the shortest distance across the fewest possible barriers.

Step 3: Place Your Router Away From Other Electronic Devices

Other electronics can interfere with your router’s signal. You should especially avoid electronics like microwaves, which emit a robust 2.4GHz band signal capable of interfering with routers on the wireless band. Try to place your router five to six feet away from other electronics. Alternatively, you can adjust your router’s frequency to 5GHz if other 2.4GHz band devices are unavoidable.

Step 4: Place Your Router Away From Water and Metal Objects

Water and metal have been know to interfere with a router’s signal. Avoid placing your router next to metal appliances, fish tanks, metal walls or doors, and metal pipes. Doing this will help you eliminate or minimize any Wi-Fi dead zones in your home.

Step 5: Secure Your Internet Connection

Make sure your neighbors aren’t using your Wi-Fi and stealing your bandwidth. The more people use your internet, the slower it will be. Create a strong, complex password to prevent outsiders from accessing your network.

Step 6: Regularly Reboot Your Router

When you reboot your router, you let it perform necessary system updates. If possible, set up your router to reboot automatically when you’re not online, whether it’s late at night while you’re asleep or in the middle of the day if you’re away at work.

If you’ve followed all of the above steps but feel like your signal needs a boost, it may be time to upgrade or purchase additional equipment. If your signal isn’t reaching your entire home, especially if it’s more than 2,000 square feet, we recommend buying a mesh system, Wi-Fi repeater, or extender.

Upgrade Your Online Experience with Tachus

If the speed test you ran earlier found that your weak signal is caused by your internet connection, not your router, your internet provider might not give you the speeds you’re paying for. If you want to upgrade to a fast and reliable fiber internet connection, check your address here to see if Tachus Fiber is available in your neighborhood. If it isn’t, learn more about how you can bring us into your community.