Sometimes home WiFi doesn’t quite work in every room of the house. WiFi is simply radio waves that emanate from the router and are received by a phone or laptop. Obstructions in the house can result in dead spots where the signal doesn’t reach. This can be extremely frustrating, especially if it occurs in a commonly used area like the lounge or the bedroom. By finding where the dead zones are in your home, it will help you to fix them and ensure maximum WiFi coverage.
Causes of WiFi dead spots
Most homes were built before WiFi existed so their layout isn’t always suitable for wireless connectivity. Open-plan homes help to decrease dead spots but if your home has a lot of walls and rooms, there will be places with weak WiFi.
Large metal appliances, like stoves and fridges, can also block WiFi and signal-producing devices like microwaves can interfere with the network. The distance between your router and your device is another major contributor to signal strength. Remote locations, like garages and basements, may have no signal at all. These are places you need to look for when searching for dead spots.
Fixing WiFi dead spots
Once you have located all the problem areas, you can start to address them by moving your router to a more central location:
1. Move your router or any obstructions
The first step is to relocate your WiFi router to a more central location where radio waves can pass through all doors and openings between rooms. It may be worthwhile to relocate the router to a room where you will use WiFi the most, such as an office, TV lounge, or bedroom. Avoid placing the router near thick brick walls, metal objects, or other signal-blocking objects. You can also try to move any potential obstacles around the house by repositioning them.
2. Change the router channel
If your router can’t be moved or you have already placed it in the ideal spot, try changing the channel to a less congested one. Use your router settings and test different channels to see if the signal improves. Some wavelengths on different channels may boost your signal throughout the house, so it’s worthwhile spending some time searching for the best channel.
3. Buy a signal booster
A WiFi booster is a low-cost solution for eliminating dead spots and expanding the network coverage. These devices are made up of two wireless routers that receive the existing signal from the main router and amplify it to reach far-flung areas of the home. It’s essentially a repeater station that can be placed in a different part of the house to strengthen the network.
4. Upgrade your router
Your fibre network may be fast, but if your WiFi router is outdated then it is probably best to upgrade to a newer and more reliable model. This can dramatically improve the signal strength and ensure that you get the most out of your monthly internet package.
There are numerous factors that can interfere with your WiFi signal at home, but by spending time looking for dead spots, you can find some inexpensive and simple solutions.
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