We live in a world where the internet is everything right? But what happens
when your internet underperforms? There are many causes for this one of which is low WiFi Signal. In this article, I will explain how you can improve WiFi around your home.

1. Find the right location for your Router

One of the key issues that people forget is placing their router in a suitable location. Having routers placed in the wrong place can cause all sorts of issues and I’ve seen some ridiculous places, the worst being behind a sofa, but that’s another story!

The key thing to remember is…

Your Router should be as close as possible to the centre of your house!

Routers emit signal around the device in rings, therefore placing your router next to a wall can limit the signal particularly when the walls are solid. Metal objects and appliances that emit electromagnetic waves can also cause issues, so avoid placing your router near these objects.

There are many great apps available that can help you determine the best place for your router. My favourite one is WiFi Analyser which is available to download on Android. As of yet, I haven’t found a suitable alternative for IOS but if you know of one that’s equally as good, let the community know in the comments.

2. Adjust the antennas accordingly

Not many standard home Routers have Antennas these days, especially if they come from your ISP provider. But if your’s does have them you need to make sure that they are in the correct position.

If you live in a single-story building or a small house, the best range can be obtained by placing the antenna vertically. If you want to cover several
floors with one router in a big building, one solution is to mount two antennas in the router (if possible), then set one vertically and the other horizontally, which will allow you to send a stronger signal up and down. But this is mainly for large multi-story buildings.

3. Change the frequency of your wireless

Devices using WiFi connectivity operate at 2.4 GHz. If you have a large number of devices and networks, signals can interfere with each other. To be honest, any devices using the 2.4 GHz frequency can interfere with your WiFi. A good example is toys and Microwaves.

The good news is that many devices now support 5 GHz, which is less crowded. The 5 GHz frequency provides a faster data rate at a shorter distance. Therefore, if your router supports it, consider switching!

4. Leave a crowded channel

By default, your Router will automatically assign the channel it will use during the first configuration. This can cause issues, especially since in the 2.4 GHz band channels overlap. Therefore changing channels can help!

5. Purchase a WiFi extender or a Power line kit

WiFi extenders are ideal if you have a big house with loads of thick walls. They literately duplicate your WiFi signal. They can usually be purchased cheaply for under £20 depending on what spec you require.

Power line extension kits are slightly different as they use the power line in your house to transfer signal. Although it’s important to remember that not all powerline kits have a WiFi option, not the cheap ones anyway.

6. Purchase a better router

Low spec routers are one of the main causes of poor performance.
Unfortunately, many ISP’s (Internet Service Providers) supply customers with basic routers. Which will get you up and running but in reality not only will a better, more powerful router give you more performance, it will also give you more options in the configuration panel. But the good news is that technology is getting cheaper making better routers an option for ISP’s.