How to Get Better Signal for Your Wi-Fi Connection

How many times have you been frustrated because the movie you’re trying to stream keeps buffering? And what about that one corner in your home that seems to have no internet coverage at all? Put simply, having a lousy Wi-Fi signal can be incredibly inconvenient.

But there’s no need to suffer through internet dead zones and a continuous loss of Wi-Fi signal. There are things you can do to make your Wi-Fi connection better. They just require a little bit of effort. This article will provide several solutions to the problem.

1. Move Your Router

Finding the right place for your router is one of the most important and efficient ways to ensure you have a quality Wi-Fi signal in your home. Whatever you do, not every corner will be covered equally, but certain guidelines are worth following. For starters, keep the router away from anything made of metal and appliances that emit electromagnetic waves.

Other materials, like wood, glass, and even foam, can be signal roadblocks, but metal is definitely the worst culprit. Also, it’s best to keep the router away from electrical wiring and make sure not to place it on the floor. Some elevation will often provide a better Wi-Fi connection.

2. Get a Wi-Fi Extender

A Wi-Fi extender or booster does just that – boost your Wi-Fi signal. These devices are often used for Wi-Fi enabled garage door openers, since garages have notoriously bad Wi-Fi signals.

But before you go ahead and buy an extender, you can use a Wi-Fi booster app to analyze your home network. Alternatively, get a USB Wi-Fi adapter for an old laptop with a weak Wi-Fi signal. This will help you assess the situation and decide what to do for the best.

3. Replace the Antenna

Sometimes when you look at a router, it’s easy to neglect the fact that all have an antenna. And sometimes, this antenna isn’t made to last. Or it just emits a weak signal, that just doesn’t suffice. But before you throw out the router, try getting a stronger antenna first.

Make sure you get one that has much more gain than the current antenna. Often, they’ll come with an extension cable so you can place it even further away from the router to ensure for a stronger signal.

4. Change the Wi-Fi Channel

Most people don’t bother to change their router’s channel; they don’t even think about it at all. But there are several Wi-Fi channels, and switching from the default channel to another can result in a Wi-Fi signal with less traffic. All you need to do is figure out which channel is the least occupied and switch over. Some better routers do this automatically. But you can also use a Wi-Fi analyzer to help you make the switch.

5. Change Your Password

This might seem like an overly simple solution, but there’s a reason why having a strong Wi-Fi password means having a better wireless connection. If you’ve shared the password around the neighborhood or someone was able to was access it, you might even have “leeches” on your home network without realizing it.

If so, either change your password frequently, or create a really strong one. The best way to go about it is to use a combination of symbols, numbers, and lower- and upper-case letters. And try not to make it too short, at least eight characters. Then put it on a piece a paper and keep it in a safe place.

6. Update Your Router

Did you know that routers need updates? Just like most devices, they work best when they have the latest version of the software installed. Router companies frequently release updates, and to ensure your Wi-Fi connection is at its best, it’s a good idea to update the router firmware.

Some routers have a built-in solution, actionable by hitting a single button on the device. If older models require visiting the brand’s website and downloading the firmware manually. Even when your Wi-Fi connection isn’t bad, this process will make sure that it stays that way longer.

Items That Usually Interfere with the Wi-Fi Connection

Here are a few objects, mostly household items, that are usually the reason why your Wi-Fi signal might be compromised. Unsurprisingly, the walls can be a problem. Especially thick, brick walls. Even if your router isn’t that far away, a brick wall can block the signal significantly.

When it comes to household appliances, the microwave and the fridge can cause interference. The Wi-Fi signal can bounce off instead of going through unimpeded. And streaming on your laptop or smart TV while actively using the microwave is probably not a good idea, since some interference is to be expected.

If All Else Fails – Get a New Router

But before you do that, you can always reboot it. Usually, this will make a difference. But it’s not a long-term solution. If getting a new antenna or switching to another channel doesn’t help with the connection, you might have to get a new router. But trying everything you can is important because a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection might be just a few tinkering steps away.

How have you fixed your Wi-Fi connection issues? Let us know in the comments section below.