If you’re like most people, WiFi might be an important part of your daily life at home. It’s how you get work done, keep in touch with friends and family, and browse the web. However, WiFi doesn’t always reach all the corners of your home or apartment. Luckily, there are ways to extend your WiFi range so you can reach those hard-to-reach areas and eliminate dead zones in your home!
Read on to learn more about 6 ways to extend WiFi range in your home!
1) Get a Stronger Router
If you want better WiFi coverage in your home, you need a strong router. Look for a powerful router that offers both speed and range.
You may also choose to get a router with external antennas. These antennas can be positioned to direct the signal where you need it most.
2) Reposition Your Router
One of the simplest ways to improve your WiFi signal is to simply move your router. If it’s been a while since you set up your network, your router might be in a less than ideal spot. Try moving it to a central location in your home.
Many wireless routers also come with a simple but effective signal strength indicator. To view yours, open your wireless router configuration by typing in your IP address (which you can find on its label) into your browser’s URL bar. You should be able to see a graphical representation of signal strength for each band within a few inches of your router.
Try moving your router or adjusting its position until both bands are displaying strong signals throughout your home. Also make sure that no walls or objects interfere with or obscure any part of your network’s coverage area.
The stronger your network’s signal, and closer you are to it, the faster and more stable it will be—especially if you have many connected devices streaming HD content simultaneously, which can tax any system.
3) Replace Old WiFi Antennas
If your router is more than a few years old, it might be time for an upgrade. A new router can make a big difference in your WiFi speeds and range. You should also check the antennas on your router. If they’re more than a few years old, they might be the weak link in your network.
4) Upgrade Wireless Access Points
One way to extend your WiFi range is by upgrading your wireless access points. This will ensure that you have a stronger connection and can reach further distances. Here are seven ways to upgrade your wireless access points:
- Get a higher quality router.
- Place the router in a central location.
- Use additional access points.
- Use WiFi repeaters or extenders.
- Use Ethernet over Powerline adapters.
- Optimize your router’s settings.
- Keep your firmware up-to-date
5) Add New Wireless Nodes
One way to extend your WiFi range is to add new wireless nodes, or repeaters, to your network. These devices can be purchased online or at your local electronics store. To set up a new wireless node, simply connect it to your router and place it in a central location.
The main thing you’ll want to look for when buying a wireless node is its connection rate. Devices that are labelled 802.11g and 802.11n should be compatible with your network, while devices labelled 802.11b may not work properly with your equipment. Before purchasing a device, make sure you know what kind of signal it transmits, such as 802.11g/n or 802.11n only.
You’ll also want to check whether or not it can reach your router from its intended location and ensure there aren’t any walls or other barriers blocking its connection. Most new wireless nodes are designed for indoor use, so keep that in mind if you plan on setting one up outside.
6) Adjust Channel Settings
If your router is on the same channel as a lot of other devices in your area, it can cause interference and reduce your speeds.
You can fix this by changing your channel to one that’s less crowded. To do this, log into your router’s settings and look for the channel option. Select a channel that’s not being used by many other devices. You should also avoid using channels 1, 6, or 11, as these are the most crowded channels.
You can also try using a WiFi extender to boost your signal. A WiFi extender can extend your WiFi range up to twice the distance of a regular router. Plus, it can help reduce interference from other devices.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for ways to extend the WiFi range in your home, there are a lot of options as highlighted above. You can buy a new router, add an extender, or even just move your router to a better location. Whichever method you choose, make sure you test the signal strength in different areas of your home before settling on a final solution.