If you notice that your laptop began to lose signal or completely stopped connecting to the wireless network, it must be fixed. There are several ways to amplify the WiFi signal. Depending on the reason for the signal’s weakness, you can choose the right method. Here are some critical ways to amplify the router’s WiFi signal.
1. Choosing the best place for a WiFi router
To amplify the router signal in the apartment, you need to install a router where the front of it will be a minor obstacle (for example, furniture or appliances). There are a few simple recommendations:
- It is better to install the device in the center of the apartment, for a clearer signal in the rooms around the edges;
- Secure the router 1-1.5 meters above the floor, the higher the signal will be more robust;
- If you’re using a desktop computer wirelessly connected to your router, it’s best to get them as close to each other as possible.
- Where wifi is poorly perceptible from neighbors, your router will work better, as they will minimally interfere with each other;
- Keep the router away from the metal elements of the interior, such as shelves or drawers, as well as radio phones and microwaves.
- More points will be observed. The fewer problems will be with the distribution of the router signal in the apartment. These recommendations work for all routers, including TP-Link, D-Link, MGTS Gpon, Mikrotik, etc.
2. Choosing a more advanced 5GHz range
The 2.4 GHz range allows data to be transmitted at a much slower speed than 5 GHz. But at the same time, the signal of a lower frequency is more powerful. It is much easier to pass any obstacles, such as furniture, appliances, walls, doors, etc. 5 GHz will be suitable if there are at least barriers between them, the router, and connected devices. Also, a massive advantage of routers running at this frequency is that it uses few devices. Therefore, signals from neighboring access points, microwaves, and mobile devices from Bluetooth will not interfere and weaken your device’s signal.
Some (not cheap) routers can change the frequency of broadcasting from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz. The image below shows how to amplify the TP-Link wifi signal on the settings page by changing the frequency range: It is also impossible not to mention that only those devices that maintain the appropriate range can connect to a router that works at this frequency.
3. Installing WiFi IEEE 802.11n
In the router, you can change the mode of broadcasting to the last 802.11n. The advantage of this standard is that the device can broadcast at a greater distance and with more force, compared to routers running on 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11r. Using the Huawei e8372 router example, let’s look at how to amplify the router’s WiFi signal by installing a new standard. Just log into the router settings web menu (using the browser set 192.168.1.1 or other address, which is usually listed on the back of the device), then go to the wireless settings and in the “Transmit power” line to choose a new standard.
4. Switching the router channel to free
Routers can run on eleven different channels. It happens that several routers whose areas of broadcasting intersect (for example, yours and your neighbor’s) work on the same channel. At the same time, the signals of both devices weaken because they interfere with each other. To create a clear signal, you need to change the channel from the first to the other to create a clear signal between the router and the devices connected to it. To do this, you will need Acrylic.
The number 1 is our WiFi hotspot, the second channel used by the network, and the next column is the broadcast mode. 3 is the signal of our router running on Channel 10, while the other two routers impair each other’s work (as can be seen under the number 4). The number 5 shows the estimated characteristics of our network.
As you can see, the power of the signal when the router is transferred to a free channel increases.
5. Removal of power limits in the router
This method of increasing the WiFi range is not safe if you sloppy to follow the instructions. You can increase the power of the router by raising the amount of energy used for operation. If you set too high a value, it is fraught with overheating or a complete breakdown of the device. This setting is located in the wireless settings in the “Transmit Power” line in most routers.
6. Replacing firmware with DD-WRT to increase signal
Developed by enthusiasts, firmware DD-WRT significantly increases the router signal’s power and can extend its range. It also includes several additional features. With the installation of firmware, you need to be careful, as you can harm the equipment if it does not tolerate an increase in power. The firmware can be downloaded on the official site. It is entirely free and fits most modern routers.
7. Increase the signal by optimizing Windows
Windows versions 7, 8, 8.1, and 10 can improve signal reception somewhat using built-in software. Sometimes laptops with this OS can work in energy-saving mode. This mode can be activated even when the laptop is running off the network. As a result, the computer runs with much less power than it should, extending to the processor, graphics card, and even the WiFi adapter. Instructions on how to amplify the WiFi signal on your laptop:
- Find “Control Panel” – “Hardware and Sound” – “Power Options.”
- Choose Balanced (optimized).
8. Setting limits for other users.
The simultaneous use by many users of a single wireless network significantly affects its speed. Especially if users download massive files through a torrent, play online games, watch movies in HD and FullHD, listen to music. In this case, you can limit the maximum speed at which the router will signal each user. Using the TP-Link router settings, let’s look at how to do this:
1. Here, you can set the maximum number of devices that can connect to the access point.
2. Next, you need to know the addresses assigned to users by Wifi addresses. Relevant information is displayed in the “DHCP server” spoof.
3. You need to make a filter that will limit the speed of devices at specific addresses. In the bandwidth settings section, you need to specify the range of addresses for which the speed limit will apply.
4. At the bottom lines, it is worth pointing out the lower and upper limits of the data transmission.
Here is a complete guide- How do I limit wifi distribution speeds for other users?
9. Improvements to WiFi antennas
An important parameter that affects the power of the router’s signal is the antenna. On older devices, it can be replaced, thereby slightly increasing the radius of coverage. But not all routers, this detail is removed.
Some users make homemade amplifiers from beer cans, foils, or even pieces of tin to increase the range with their hands.
Homemade improvements usually barely significantly amplify the signal (if at all).
10. Installing a repeater to improve the signal
To amplify the WiFi signal, you can install a reiter that extends the signal from the router, increasing the range of coverage.
Many routers can function as a repeater so that if you have two routers, you can amplify the signal one with the second router.
Replacing a WiFi adapter on a laptop If a laptop connects to any WiFi network gives you a disappointing speed. The problem may be in the wireless network’s built-in adapter. It’s better to buy an external adapter that connects via USB. It is best to replace the integrated module, as it is not always convenient to use an external device. To do this, it is better to take the laptop to the service.
Leading causes of the weak signal
Poor WiFi reception may be due to the following factors:
- The router is located not in the center of the apartment but from the edge. Because of this, the signal is weak on the other end of the apartment.
- The 2.4 GHz router is located next to the microwave, which weakens its signal.
- Metal barriers obscure the signal. He’s not going through them.
- In one room, two routers weaken each other’s power. To fix this, you need them to work in different frequency bands or on various channels.
- The modem runs at low power. You can change it in web settings.
- An old device. You can try to replace the antenna, but it is better to buy a new one.
- Sometimes the problem may not be in the broadcasting device but the receiving signal. If you’re using a laptop, you can replace the WiFi adapter (provided you don’t have any problems with other devices).
- Old firmware.
- There are too many users connected to one network who share the power of the signal among themselves. You can set limits for users.
Conclusion
Before you resort to replacing equipment or working with third-party utilities, you need to check that your home wifi router is in the right place. You can then optimize its work in the above ways.
