3-Minute Tech Quicky: How to Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Everyone loves faster internet.

There are many simple fixes you can do to get the most out of your WiFi connection. WiFi is engrained in our everyday lives, and people often forget that signals can be impacted and distorted, resulting in slow connections and dropouts that impact connected devices.

Step 1 – Improve Your Router Placement

The location where you put your internet router is often the number one cause of a bad signal. Don’t chuck the router behind the couch; it may look unsightly, but it needs to be out in the open, preferably on a hard surface like a side table or shelf.

• Central Location:
  Place your router in a central location in your home, ideally on a higher surface like a shelf or table. Avoid placing it in enclosed spaces or near thick walls and metal objects. If you place the router on the far side of your house, there is a good chance the signal won’t reach the whole house.
  
• Obstacles:
  Remove any physical obstructions between the router and your devices. Even small objects like books or vases can weaken the signal. Avoid placing near metal equipment, such as exercise equipment or fish tanks.
  
• Interference:
  Keep the router away from other electronic devices, such as microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors, as they can cause interference. Bookcases are also quite bad at causing interference.

Step 2 – Tweak Your Router Settings:

• Firmware Update:
  Make sure your router’s firmware is up to date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve performance and fix bugs.

• Channel Selection:
  If you live in a crowded area with many WiFi networks, try changing your router’s channel to a less congested one. You can usually do this through the router’s settings page.

Antenna Placement:
If your router has external antennas, adjust them to optimize the signal. For multi-story homes, try positioning one antenna vertically and the other horizontally.

Step 3 – Upgrade Your Wifi Hardware

As a general rule, you can pretty much guarantee that the router your internet service provider has given you is cheap and underwhelming. I have upgraded my router and bought a DrayTek Modem and an Unfi DreamMachine Router. Although these are not top-of-the-range, they are much better than the garbage you get from Sky, EE, and Talk Talk.

• WiFi Extenders/Repeaters: These devices can amplify your WiFi signal and extend its range to areas with weak coverage.
• Mesh WiFi Systems: These systems use multiple nodes to create a seamless WiFi network throughout your home, eliminating dead zones.
• Powerline Adapters: These devices use your home’s electrical wiring to create a wired network connection, which can be a more reliable solution in some cases.