WiFi Extenders
If you want to achieve complete WiFi coverage in your home, installing a WiFi range extender can be an effective solution. By connecting to your existing WiFi router, a range extender amplifies your WiFi signal and creates a separate network with its own name and security credentials.
However, it’s essential to note that using a range extender comes with some complexities and limitations. Firstly, because the range extender has its own security credentials, your devices need to keep logging in and out of the range extender and the router as you move around your home. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Secondly, the range extender cannot communicate simultaneously with your router and all your devices. This means that the available bandwidth is shared by the range extender, the router, and all your connected devices, reducing the transmission capacity in half and impacting overall WiFi performance. Therefore, while a range extender can increase your WiFi coverage, it may not be the best option for boosting your WiFi network’s overall performance.
Reposition Your WiFi Router
If you’re experiencing weak WiFi signals in certain areas of your home, you may be able to improve your WiFi coverage by repositioning your wireless router. Check that your router is in an open area and preferably positioned in the centre of your home, free from any obstructions. Avoid hiding it in a cupboard, on the floor, or behind your TV. Elevating it can also help as WiFi signals have an easier time travelling through open space.
If your router has movable antennas, it’s best to position them upwards (perpendicular to the router) so that the WiFi signal beams out from the sides of the antenna and doesn’t shoot into the ground or ceiling. However, if you have multiple antennas, you can try adjusting them to different angles to provide the widest coverage.
More Than 1 WiFi Router
Another option for extending WiFi coverage in your home is installing an additional WiFi router. However, this method can be complex and expensive as it requires network cabling at all the access points within your home. While an additional router can increase WiFi coverage, it does not address login disruptions or bandwidth issues.
Moreover, the initial setup and maintenance of an additional router can be challenging for some users, requiring a professional WiFi technician. Therefore, before deciding to install an additional WiFi router, make sure you have the necessary expertise or seek the help of a professional to ensure proper installation and setup.
Well Placed Access Points
Well-placed access points can significantly improve Wi-Fi coverage and performance throughout a house. Access points are devices that connect to a wired network and broadcast a wireless signal, providing Wi-Fi connectivity to devices within their range. By placing access points in strategic locations, such as in central areas or near areas with a high concentration of devices, you can ensure that the wireless signal is strong and consistent throughout.
One benefit of using access points is that they can provide better coverage than a single Wi-Fi router. This is because Wi-Fi routers have a limited range, and their signals can be blocked by walls, furniture, and other obstacles. With multiple access points, you can extend the Wi-Fi coverage to areas that were previously out of range or had poor signal strength.
Another advantage of using access points is that they can help to balance the load on the network. When too many devices are connected to a single router, the network can become congested, resulting in slow speeds and dropped connections. By adding access points, you can distribute the network traffic more evenly, reducing the strain on any one device and improving overall performance.
When placing access points, it’s important to consider the layout of your home, the location of your devices, and any potential obstacles that could interfere with the wireless signal. For example, you might want to place an access point on each floor of a multi-story home or in rooms where you frequently use Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Change The Frequency Band
If you’re experiencing weak Wi-Fi in your home, it’s worth considering using the 2.4GHz frequency band instead of the 5GHz band. Although 5GHz may offer faster speeds, it has a shorter range due to its higher frequency and inability to penetrate obstacles like walls and ceilings.
In contrast, 2.4GHz has a greater range, albeit at slower speeds. Some routers combine both frequencies into one network name, making it impossible to choose which to connect to. However, you can log in to the router’s settings web page and split the frequencies into two separate network names for greater control.
It’s important to note that 2.4GHz devices may face interference from other devices that use the same frequency, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices. This can reduce the speed and range of your Wi-Fi signal. Therefore, to achieve greater range, you may need to sacrifice speed and work closer to an access point, or mitigate interference from other devices.
Ethernet And Power Cables
It is possible to use electrical wiring or Ethernet cables to extend the range of a wireless network using a technique called powerline networking. Powerline networking uses the electrical wiring in your home or office to transmit network data. You can use a powerline adapter to connect your router to an electrical outlet, and then use another adapter to connect to a device in a different room. This can help extend the range of your wireless network, but it does not amplify the wireless signal itself.