A lot of people ask me for help with their Wi-Fi signal. They want better coverage in their homes, and they are often ready to go out for something expensive to fix it. But before I recommend buying a pricey Google Wi-Fi set or a Netgear Orbi WiFi system, there are a bunch of free & low-cost things to try:
- Look at your Wi-Fi router and position it differently. It needs to have some space and air around it. If it’s on the floor, put it up on a table. If it’s shut up in a bureau, get it out or on top of the furniture. Is it stacked between books and computer equipment? Declutter a bit and give your Wi-Fi device some elbow room. And, if possible, move your modem and router to a more central part of your house (talk to your ISP or me, if you’re unsure of how to do this).
- Does your Wi-Fi router have external antennae? If so, try pointing them in different directions. A slight change in their position can change the Wi-Fi spread for your whole house. If it doesn’t have antennae for you to pose, move and rotate the router a bit. I’ve resolved some Wi-Fi problems just by turning a router 45°.
- Update your router’s firmware. This can be done through your router’s app (on your smartphone), from the downloads page of the router manufacturer’s website, or by logging into the router itself. If that’s above your paygrade, I’ll certainly take care of it for you during any service call you hire me for!
- Consider how many years you’ve owned your Wi-Fi router, as it could be getting wonky due to old age. If it’s over 5 years of age, or if you have to reboot it often, it could be time to replace it. And then, your new router may supply more Wi-Fi spread than you realized was possible! If you are renting your router from your ISP, call them and ask about a swap for a new unit.
- Walk around your home with a laptop and run a speedtest in each room. If you can deduce that the Wi-Fi is sub-par in just one zone, then maybe all you need is a single Wi-Fi range extender. Such a device is designed to pick up and repeat your Wi-Fi signal, and is less expensive than buying a whole house mesh network system. These are easy to set up and won’t change anything about your existing Wi-Fi.
After all of that, if you do still need Wi-Fi improvements, it may be time to invest in a mesh Wi-Fi system. I recommend the above-linked items, and you might also check in with your ISP, to see what Wi-Fi equipment they recommend or offer.
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