It is common knowledge that the further your wireless router is from your laptop, the weaker is the Wifi strength. If your router is located at the basement of your home and you mostly work on the top floor, you may notice the loading signal more frequently than you would like to. There are many factors which go into play in the strength of your signal – from your ISP, the type of router you have, how many obstructions are between your router and your device and more.
Even though you cannot control some of those factors, you can be smart on where you place your router. It is good to remember that your Wifi signal is broadcasted in a circle, so you should avoid placing it next to your neighbors’ wall, as they will be receiving a stronger signal than perhaps even you. (which would be a complete waste.)
There are many tips to getting the most out of your router and ensuring that your signal strength is as strong as possible.
Here's A Few Tips:
1) Location, location, location:
Where you place your router determines how good a wifi signal you receive. You should place your router in a central location so that the signal is equally distributed throughout your house, instead of being concentrated in only one area. If your modem cannot be placed in a central location, use an Ethernet Cat 5 cable to make sure that your router provides the best Wifi reach. Did you know that if given a choice of basement or top floor, that it is better to place your route on the ceiling of your top floor? This is because the radio waves emanate outwards and downwards, not upwards.
2) Avoid obstructions:
This could include thick walls, bodies of water like aquariums, objects like mirrors and metals. The latter can actually reflect the radio waves emitted by the router and deflect the signal from reaching you. Radio waves become weaker over distance as well as if they have to pass through many walls as they are absorbed by the obstructions.
3) Avoid places with many electronic gadgets:
Many household gadgets like microwaves and garage door openers use the 2.4GHz band to operate and this could offer interference in your signal strength. You increase your Wifi strength by placing it away from areas with these objects like your garage and kitchen. Keep your router separate from your cordless phones as they utilise the same frequency as well.
4) Adjust your antennas:
Your router’s antennas broadcast your router connection so you should adjust it to get the most out of your router, depending on where you want your signal to reach. If you work in the same floor, angle the antenna vertically. If you work on different floors, angle your antenna horizontally.
If all the above tips do not help you, you should consider replacing your antennas with ones that broadcast stronger signals, or you can also opt to get a Wifi repeater/ Signal booster installed. In a worst case scenario, you can get a second router/ access point to enjoy extended signal range.