03/28/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/28/2024 01:08
In today's connected world, a robust and reliable Wi-Fi signal is important for smooth internet access. However, many of us have experienced dead zones or weak signals in certain areas of our homes. You may be asking the question 'what can I do to extend my Wi-Fi range' or 'how to boost wifi signal through walls'? Well, here are some ways to address these issues.
Here's your guide to 7 practical steps to extend your Wi-Fi coverage and ensure seamless connectivity throughout your home.
Quick tips to extend your Wi-Fi:
1. Move your modem.
2. Upgrade your router and firmware.
3. Use quality Wi-Fi antennas.
4. Invest in a Wi-Fi range extender or booster.
4.1 Wi-Fi repeaters
4.2 Wi-Fi extenders
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Enter your addressTip: The placement of your Wi-Fi router plays a pivotal role in determining signal strength and extension.
Ideally, position your router in a central location. Avoid placing it near thick walls, electronic appliances, or reflective surfaces, as these can interfere with the signal. Elevating the router, placing it on a high shelf, can also enhance coverage. By strategically placing your router, you can extend a strong Wi-Fi signal throughout your entire home.
Tip: If your router is several years old, it may lack the latest technology and features designed to improve Wi-Fi coverage.
Consider upgrading to a newer model with advanced capabilities such as beamforming, multiple antennas, and support for the latest Wi-Fi standards. These features can significantly extend your Wi-Fi signal strength and coverage.
Additionally, ensure your firmware is running on the latest versions. A modem/router unit (also called a gateway) usually gets updated automatically, but if you use a separate router, it may be worth checking for updates.
Tip: If your router has detachable antennas, consider upgrading them to high-gain antennas.
These antennas focus the Wi-Fi signal in specific directions, potentially increasing coverage in desired areas. Before purchasing, ensure compatibility with your router and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation.
Remember that adjustable antennas emit signals in directions perpendicular to the antenna itself. In other words, a vertical antenna transmits signals horizontally, while a horizontal antenna transmits signals vertically.
Tip: Wi-Fi range extenders can boost your existing Wi-Fi signal.
They work by receiving the existing Wi-Fi signal from your router, amplifying it, and then transmitting the boosted signal. This process allows the Wi-Fi network to cover larger areas and reach places where the signal was previously weak or nonexistent.
Wi-Fi boosters are particularly useful in large homes, multi-story buildings, or places with many obstacles that interfere with Wi-Fi signals, such as thick walls and metal objects. By placing a Wi-Fi booster between your router and the area where you need better coverage, you can ensure a stronger and more reliable Wi-Fi signal throughout your space.
There are different types of Wi-Fi boosters available, each suited to specific needs:
4.1 Wi-Fi repeater
Tip: Wi-Fi repeaters amplify your Wi-Fi signal without the need for additional installations or wired connections.
Wi-Fi repeaters are simple wireless devices that receive, amplify, and retransmit signals. They are easy to set up and can be effective in extending Wi-Fi coverage, but they may halve the bandwidth because they use the same frequency to receive and transmit signals.
4.2 Wi-Fi extenders
Tip: Wi-Fi extenders are a wired solution for extending the reach of your Wi-Fi network without the need to replace your existing router.
Wi-Fi extenders often have the option to connect to the router via a wired connection, such as an Ethernet cable. This helps in reducing the potential for signal interference and can provide a more stable and faster connection in the extended range.
Wi-Fi extenders connect to your network via a wired connection (like an Ethernet cable) and create a new access point. This method can provide a more stable and faster connection in the extended range.
4.3 Mesh Wi-Fi systems
Tip: A mesh Wi-Fi system is a great way to seamlessly extend Wi-Fi signal in a larger house.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your home for full Wi-Fi coverage. Mesh systems are more sophisticated and provide seamless Wi-Fi coverage without the bandwidth issues associated with repeaters.
Mesh Wi-Fi systems have gained popularity for their ability to provide seamless coverage throughout large spaces..
When you move around, your devices automatically connect to the node with the best signal, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted internet experience. It's like having a Wi-Fi network that adapts and works together to make sure you have a strong connection wherever you are at home.
Tip: Wired access points provide a direct connection to a new WiFi hotspot.
Wired access points are connected directly to a router or switch via an Ethernet cable. This connection provides a reliable, high-speed link to the network, allowing the access point to create a new Wi-Fi hotspot in its location.
This is particularly effective in large buildings or areas where the Wi-Fi signal from the main router is weak or nonexistent. The key advantage is that it provides a stable, high-speed connection because it's directly wired to the network.
Tip: You would use a powerline extender kit to extend your internet connection to different rooms using your home's electrical wiring, especially when Wi-Fi is weak or Ethernet cabling is not feasible.
Powerline extender kits are a unique solution for extending your home network using the existing electrical wiring in your house.
They come in pairs, with one adapter connecting to your router via an Ethernet cable and plugging into a nearby power outlet, and the second adapter placed in the location where you need an improved network connection, plugged into another power outlet.
Here's how they work:
Advantages of powerline extender kits:
Tip: Tweaking your Wi-Fi settings can make a difference in signal strength at the edges of your range.
The goal of optimising your Wi-Fi settings is to enhance the efficiency and stability of your existing network rather than expand its physical reach. However, by fine-tuning settings such as transmission power, channel selection and security configurations, you can ensure that your Wi-Fi signal is operating at its best within the coverage area defined by your router.
Modern routers offer dual-band or even tri-band capabilities, allowing you to choose between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
Consider your needs and choose accordingly.
Also, ensure your Wi-Fi network is secure (password protected) to prevent unauthorised access, which can slow down your
This can lead to better connectivity, reduced interference and improved performance in areas where the signal strength may have been weaker.
By implementing these practical tips, you can extend your Wi-Fi coverage and bid farewell to frustrating dead zones. Whatever solution you choose, the key is to tailor the solution to your specific needs. With a little strategic planning and investment, you can enjoy seamless connectivity across your entire home.
You may find that your internet plan simply isn't fast enough for your internet needs, so the solution is to upgrade your plan.
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Extending a WiFi signal and improving WiFi range are related concepts, but they have different focuses.
Extending WiFi Signal:
Improving WiFi Range:
Basically, extending a WiFi signal is about spreading the coverage to more areas, often using additional hardware, while improving WiFi range is about enhancing the existing signal's strength and quality.
If you're troubleshooting your Wi-Fi at home, using the tips suggested in this article may help to both extend your Wi-Fi and improve its range at the same time.
Wi-Fi signals weaken with distance due to the dispersion of radio waves as they travel. Obstacles like walls, floors, and furniture can absorb and reflect these signals, further reducing their strength. Additionally, interference from other electronic devices and competing networks can degrade signal quality.
That's why optimising your Wi-Fi settings, in point 6, can be helpful.
Yes, household appliances, especially those that emit electromagnetic radiation, can affect Wi-Fi range.
Devices such as microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors can cause interference, especially if they operate on the same frequency band (e.g., 2.4 GHz) as your Wi-Fi network.
The material of your home's walls can significantly impact Wi-Fi range.
Denser materials like concrete, brick, and metal can block or weaken Wi-Fi signals more than materials like wood or plaster.
To mitigate this, consider positioning your router in a more central location or using a mesh network to navigate around signal-blocking obstacles.
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