For dummies 

How to increase Wi-Fi reception. Impact of other devices on the signal. Reasons for a weak signal

Every year there are more and more different gadgets that have access to the Internet. Almost every apartment has a laptop, smartphone, tablet or TV, and maybe even a refrigerator with a Wi-Fi module. At the same time, users often face the problem that it is not possible to “catch” a connection to the Internet everywhere. The reason for this may be that the distance from the router to the device is too large. The coverage radius of the router is about 30 meters, and sometimes more. However, there are a number of other factors that can affect the signal level.

Interference can be caused by:


There are software and hardware methods that can help solve this problem. The following recommendations will help strengthen Wi-Fi and make Internet use more comfortable.

Software Gain

The most common mistake when using wireless points access is that owners pay too little attention to network settings. Often, users set a security key and change the SSID. This is where all the shenanigans end. At the same time, there are still a lot of parameters that remain by default. Setting them up will help increase the coverage area. Let's consider the main methods of programmatic signal amplification.

Video: Boost WiFi signal

Correct location

First of all, you need to pay attention to the location of the router in the apartment. It is recommended to place the router closest to the device from which you access the Internet. If it is difficult to figure out such a place, and the connection is made from different rooms in the house, then it would be best to install the router in the central part of the apartment.

This way, as much space as possible will fall within the range of action.

If the apartment or house has two levels, then the router must be placed on the ground floor at the highest point, this can be a mezzanine or a closet. You should not litter the area where the router is located with various objects (including metal ones). This will allow the signal to travel unhindered.

Device frequency matching

In apartment buildings, there may be up to 20, or even more, wireless networks in the accessibility zone. It's not good for working alone specific device. All available networks tend to overlap and use the same frequency channel. As a result, the network supply level deteriorates even at a relatively close distance.

In this case, strengthening the Wi-Fi signal is very simple and easy; even the most inexperienced user can figure it out. First, you should install on your laptop special program, which is used to determine free channel. The most commonly used is inSSIDer. After launching the program, the screen will display a list of all available wireless networks and the frequency channels they occupy. You must select a free channel. To do this, perform the following steps:


If all channels are already used by other people's routers, you should choose the least loaded one. For the settings to take effect, you need to click “Save/Change”.

Modern Wi-Fi protocol – 802.11n

Today, the 802.11n standard is the newest. In addition, it is also the fastest due to its increased coverage radius. If all devices in the apartment that access the Internet support this standard, in this case it is possible to switch to 802.11n.

In order to switch to the 802.11n operating mode, you must:


Low transmitter power

Many router models are equipped with a function for adjusting the Wi-Fi signal strength. You need to make the appropriate changes in the router settings:


Transition to 5 GHz

Most routers operate in the 2.4 GHz band. However, more expensive router models can output signals in the 5 GHz band. Therefore, it is recommended to switch to this particular range, since it is practically free and not occupied by other devices. In this case, the coverage will spread over a larger area.

The transition to the 5 GHz band is possible if the connected devices can operate in this range.

Hardware Wi-Fi signal booster

If all the above steps have been carried out, but access to the network is interrupted, do not despair. Perhaps all is not lost yet. There are several tricks that can help solve this problem. To do this, you need to upgrade your wireless device. You can increase the coverage radius using a second router. To do this, you need to configure between the two devices wireless bridge, using Wireless Distribution System technology. It will allow you to increase your coverage area by combining several routers into one network.

You can also do some tricks with antennas. Most routers are equipped with external removable antennas. They are often underpowered by about 2 dBi, sometimes 5 dBi. They can be easily replaced with stronger ones. To do this, it is worth unscrewing the old ones and placing new ones with a higher coefficient in their place. In addition, you can purchase an antenna with a cable and a special stand. It connects to the router. At the same time, it can be moved around the apartment, thus providing coverage without changing the position of the router.

If a device has more than two antennas, then replacing them will be too expensive. It will be cheaper to purchase a repeater. It is also called a repeater. In other words - a repeater.

Using a repeater

Users often encounter the problem that in large apartments the range of the router signal is not enough to provide coverage in all rooms. To solve this problem, aids will be useful. A repeater can be used as a signal amplification device. This device connects to an existing network as a client. With its help, the coverage area expands. It must be installed between the router and the work computer.

The repeater is compact in size and relatively inexpensive. The repeater looks like a small power supply and operates from the network. There are many options for such devices on the market.

Improving the adapter on your computer

The reception of the distributed signal can also be enhanced on the client device. This advice will be useful to those users whose computers have adapters connected via USB port. However, this option will be useless for owners of tablets, smartphones and laptops, since the antennas in such devices are built-in. When using a USB adapter to access the Internet, do not connect it directly to the computer. To begin with, you can use an extension cord,

and connect the device through it. A long cord will allow you to move the modem around the house, searching for a network.

You can also purchase a USB adapter booster. It is capable of providing network access in areas with weak signals. A modem is connected to this device and placed in a place with Wi-Fi coverage.

Rebooting the router

A weak signal and interference may occur due to outdated router firmware or if installed drivers require updating.

There is no financial cost required to update drivers. They can be downloaded for free on the official website of the router manufacturer. Install them on your computer, the level and quality of the signal will increase.

Antenna upgrade

This method will help you upgrade your device using a reflector. To make it you will need foil and thick paper or cardboard.

A parabola with two holes for the antenna is cut out of paper and attached to a rectangle made of foil. The resulting device must be secured to the antenna. Thus, the signal will become directional. You can also use a drink can as a reflector by cutting it lengthwise, cutting off the bottom, and placing it behind the router. The reflector is directed in the direction where it is necessary to provide coverage.

By following these simple tips, you can significantly strengthen the Wi-Fi signal on your laptop. To do this, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on buying new devices. You just need to take a little time to study the router settings or use available tools and upgrade the device yourself.

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The number of all kinds of gadgets falling into the hands of users is growing year by year at an exponential rate. For those who want to connect to a wireless network on their smartphone, laptop or tablet, it would seem that everything possible has been done. Only the technology for receiving and transmitting data over long distances lags behind the development of the infrastructure of receiving devices.

When purchasing a router, we cannot evaluate its range by eye or based only on the contents of the user manual. And only when faced with a problem do we realize its scale. The declared characteristics unexpectedly turn out to be completely unsatisfactory for us.

Sometimes the signal cannot be picked up even in the next room, and sometimes the speed is reduced when more than one subscriber is connected so much that there can be no talk of any media entertainment.

Is there any possibility of enhancing reception and how is it implemented in practice? This is the subject of our short article. Here we will look at both software and hardware technologies for increasing the range of a Wi-Fi signal. And at the same time we will discuss what specific physical principles they are based on.

Some optimization methods are completely free and will require only a little mental effort from the user and manipulation of the router settings. Others boil down to purchasing special amplifiers, for which, naturally, you will have to pay some money. So, let's get to it.

The simplest option

The point is to change the location of the router so that there are as few obstacles as possible in the signal path. What can greatly interfere with the reception? Firstly, these are the walls located between the transmitter and the subscriber. Secondly, the material of these walls. Thirdly, a variety of objects with properties that suppress radio waves.

Walls generally act as an obstacle to the spread of electromagnetic waves. And especially walls covered with plasterboard or other similar material.

Concrete walls lined with rebar pose a particularly serious threat. It is well known from the school physics course that metal mesh is one of the best insulators. Its shielding properties are widely used in scientific and technical applications. The reinforcement in the wall is just such a screen.

Even a large aquarium or mirror can cause suppression of normal reception. Therefore, it makes sense to experiment with changing the location of the router relative to the walls and home environment.

You can move it not only in the horizontal direction, but also in the vertical plane. Sometimes it helps. If not eliminate the problem completely, then at least greatly reduce it.

Let's get into the settings

The reason for poor range can be not only the situation and material objects in the signal path. An intangible substance can also interfere with normal reception - the presence of electromagnetic interference in the router’s coverage area. For example, signals from other routers.

The mass user rarely thinks about such a problem. And yet it exists and complicates their lives no less than impenetrable concrete floors. The distribution of neighboring wireless networks occurs along so-called channels. If several networks share one channel, then the power of each of them drops noticeably.

To improve the operation of the router, you need to go to the device settings and check which channel is transmitting. Then download the “inSSIDer” program from the network and look into its window. This window looks like this:

In the foreground is a list of all wireless networks that occupy the same space as yours. The field called “Channel” indicates the channel for each of the grids. Channels are numbered from one to thirteen. We will need to select the channel on which the fewest devices are located and switch our router to this channel in the settings:

  • From the browser we go to the device’s web interface (its typical address is 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1).
  • Go to the “Wireless” settings page.
  • We find the “Channel” field there.
  • We manually enter the channel number we need.
  • We save the changes made and test the state of the device.

There are other methods to improve performance by manipulating settings.

What else can you do in the settings?

Alternatively, other parameters can be adjusted:

Settings on the subscriber side

How to enhance reception without configuring the transmitter? For a laptop or computer, you can do the following:

  • Go to the “Control Panel”.
  • We turn to the settings of the “Power supply” subsection.
  • We choose one of two: either the “Balanced” power plan or the “High Performance” power plan.

This is the answer to the question of how to strengthen the WiFi signal on your laptop.

Finally, the most effective and simplest option: buy a repeater in the store. A repeater is a specially designed Wi-Fi signal amplifier. In the picture below we show his image:

This is all we have to say on the topic raised.

If the laptop does not receive the WiFi signal well, you need to improve it (the signal). This can be done in several ways: increase the Wi-Fi coverage area, buy a repeater, replace the antennas, or make an amplification device yourself.

Router placement

Before setting up the router, you need to install it correctly indoors. Usually, users are faced with the fact that there are no problems with Wi-Fi near the router, but if you move further away, the signal reception on the laptop seriously deteriorates.

The correct location of the router sometimes helps to solve this problem. If you install the router in the middle of the room, the signal reception will be approximately the same in all directions. The fewer walls and obstacles the signal has to overcome, the more confident its reception on the laptop will be. Negative effects have:

  • Metal structures (doors, beams).
  • Brick, concrete and reinforced concrete walls.
  • Soundproofed walls.
  • Mirrors.
  • Aquariums.

The angle at which the signal passes through the wall is also important. Try to position yourself directly opposite the router, because the greater the angle, the weaker the WiFi reception on the laptop.

You need to make sure that there are no electrical devices nearby that operate, like the router, at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. This is especially true for the base of radiotelephones and microwave ovens - they should be located as far as possible from the WiFi signal source. If you purchased a router operating at 5 GHz, then you don’t need to worry about interference from other devices - the range will almost always be free.

Setting up the router

If nothing can be done about the placement, then you can try to configure the equipment so that your laptop or other device does not have difficulties receiving the WiFi signal. But first you need to determine what is the reason for the poor reception - perhaps it just seems to you that the signal is bad, but you just need to switch to a different tariff from your provider to increase the Internet speed. You can change the Wi-Fi signal level using free utility Homedale.

Launch Homedale and look at the dBm value. The lower it is, the stronger the WiFi signal that the router sends. The ideal value is 60-65 dBm. If the value is below 80 dBm, then you have a very weak WiFi signal, and therefore it is difficult to receive it on your laptop. Do not immediately remove Homedale from your computer. With its help, you will check what effect your actions to strengthen the signal have.

First of all, try changing the channel on which the signal is transmitted. If you live in an apartment building and your neighbors also have a wireless network set up, then the WiFi signals from the routers interfere with each other.


Remember that the channels overlap, so the range will not be completely free if there are other routers nearby. In addition, some routers do not support channels 12 and 13, so it is not recommended to set the value above 11. To change the Wi-Fi signal transmission channel:


It helps to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal and install the 802.11 N standard. By default, the router settings are set to 802.11 B/G/N mixed mode, which is suitable for all devices, old and new. The WiFi 802.11 N standard only supports new equipment, so, for example, an old laptop simply will not find such a network. But if all your devices support 802.11 N mode, then set it in the router settings.


Some router models allow you to further adjust the transmitter power. If among the advanced Wi-Fi settings you see the line “Operation mode”, then make sure that it is set to “High”. In this case, the transmitter will operate at maximum power.

Laptop setup

If the Homedale program shows that the signal from the router does not require amplification, but the laptop still has problems with Wi-Fi reception, then you need to work with the laptop’s settings. First, try updating your WiFi adapter drivers.


If the driver update is before latest version did not improve Wi-Fi reception, check whether the laptop is running in power saving mode, in which the adapter may not have enough power to function properly:


If these methods do not help improve Wi-Fi signal reception, then consider purchasing a high-quality external adapter.

Upgrading the router and using additional equipment

If no software methods help increase the signal strength and improve WiFi reception on the laptop, then you will have to upgrade the router or buy additional equipment. Upgrade options:

  • Replacing antennas, provided that the router has replaceable antennas.
  • Construction homemade amplifier signal.

Replacing antennas is not the best option, because it requires financial costs, and since you are willing to spend money, it is better to buy a repeater or another, more powerful router. But a primitive amplifier can be made for free from cans or foil. The design will look something like this:

Formally, such a screen does not amplify the signal, but only directs it in a certain direction. There's little appeal in cut-up tin cans, but some users claim that they've been able to seriously improve Wi-Fi reception on their laptop using this screen.

If a can or foil screen doesn't work, consider purchasing a repeater. This is a device that receives a signal from the router and sends it further, increasing the coverage area. Instead of a special repeater, you can use a second router configured in repeater mode. However, not all devices support this mode.

A repeater is indispensable when you need to cover a large room with one network. The signal will not be interrupted, moreover, you will not even notice that you are receiving WiFi not from the router, but from the repeater - the network will remain the same, with the same name and password.

A weak signal from a home router in an urban environment is no longer news, but every active network user has faced the question of how to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal of a home router. There are several reasons for such problems with reception, these are: malfunctions of the device itself, interference created by other electrical appliances operating in the house, and other reasons. It should be recalled that there are no less ways to “Wi-Fi” on a router; the services of a specialist are not needed.

Often, the transmitter power of a router is adversely affected by electrical appliances located nearby. A noticeable impact is exerted, for example, microwaves, Cell phones, possessing powerful electromagnetic radiation. Boost signal wifi router It’s simple if you place the equipment away from each other.

The router needs an open space that is freely accessible, not behind a closet or sofa. If for some reason the microwave is located close to the router, you need to strengthen the signal using a second router (additional). It's a win-win.

Strengthening the signal in the router settings

In most cases, this, of course, does not solve the problem, and the signal is still rather weak. The ability to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal of your router is in the device and its settings. The signal of insufficient strength is “designed” in the default home router settings; this happens due to the reluctance of users to change them individually for themselves. I often don’t want to tinker with the settings, read anything, or delve into the process. Therein lies the problem. Neighbors living across the wall think the same thing, and their devices located nearby operate at the same frequency, which leads to system slowdown.

Increasing the router's transmission power

You can improve a weak signal by increasing the transmit power of your home router. True, regulators are not installed on all devices and it is recommended to do this only if other methods do not help. Uncontrolled intervention in the system may damage or overheat the device. Therefore, before resorting to this method, you should carefully read the instructions (after all, read them), remember that the power indicator should not exceed 45 mW. And improve the signal strength as follows:

  1. In the settings, open the “Advanced network settings” section.
  2. Go to the perimeter Wireless Transmit Power - “Transmission power”.
  3. Values ​​are expressed either in “%”, or High - high, Medium - average, Low - low.
  4. In the first case, you need to increase it to the maximum: 100%.
  5. In the second, select “High” and set the value to “20”.

Changing the channel to free

It is also possible to strengthen a weak Wi-Fi signal by switching to a free transmission channel. If the router is configured by default, there is a high probability that no actions were applied to the neighbors either. in this direction. This is one of the most common reasons for slow network speed. Being on the same channel with devices located nearby, its radius is significantly reduced. In order to increase communication speed, it is recommended to select several options for changing the channel:

  • In the network settings, set the router to “Auto mode”.
  • In the same settings, set one of the static channels.
  • Use programs like inSSIDer or Acrylic that monitor free channels.

Changing the router broadcast mode

How to boost a weak signal wi-fi router It's not that difficult to figure out the settings. All that is needed is to change the existing standard of wireless networks, which usually operate in b/g/n mode. The new devices are configured according to the modern standard - 802.11ac, which is considered the most advanced. However, the outdated 802.11n is capable of increasing both the transmission speed and the network coverage range. But this will not work if the wireless router only has one antenna, or it does not support these standards.

Switching the network to the new-old mode is simple:

  1. Go to the settings at the router address: 192.168.1.1.
  2. Open the Wireless section - “Wireless network.
  3. Go to Mode - “Wireless network mode.”
  4. In it, select the value N only – Save – “Save”.
  5. All that remains is to reboot.

Strengthening with additional devices

You can strengthen the router's signal by taking advantage of the capabilities of other devices specially created for this purpose. Additional antennas, amplifiers, and adapters will help to significantly increase the range and range if your home router has USB ports. Often these options are more effective than other means, especially in the case of outdated wireless devices.

Replacing the Standard Antenna

If the router has a removable antenna, replace it with a more powerful one. Although slightly, the range of the network increases. This is of course not the best option. The effect of such changes is insignificant, but when other methods do not help, this one becomes an alternative.

TP-Link is considered one of the best antennas for wi-fi routers: high-quality and relatively inexpensive. But not suitable for all devices of this type. For the result to be noticeable, you need to choose an antenna that has a gain of at least 8 dBi.

Installing another antenna or even two will help strengthen the router’s wi-fi signal, but this is only possible if the device itself supports them.

Installing a wi-fi amplifier (booster)

Strengthening the signal of a home router is possible using repeaters such as Range Extender Booster. This good amplifiers“Wi-Fi” signals with superior antenna capabilities, but are cheaper. Other benefits of the booster:

  • Suitable for all broadcast mode standards.
  • Improves and expands the signal up to the edge of the coverage area.
  • Supports power wireless devices from 2.4 GHz.
  • Boosts transmission speed up to a maximum of 300 Mbps.
  • Stable and safe to use.

Repeater installation

Repeater (repeater) is another signal amplifier, similar in principle to a booster, but much inferior to it. The repeater is capable of significantly increasing the signal, but this is where its capabilities end. And the booster, in addition, is able to expand the reception range. By the way, there is no need to buy this device; another router can act as such a repeater.

There are other ways to boost the signal. This may be possible using laptop settings or using improvised means or making an antenna yourself. It is possible to amplify a router without an antenna if you follow simple rules:

  • Set it high.
  • Do not place near flat metal objects.
  • Avoid radio interference.

Setting up the receiver on a laptop or computer

Few people have thought about how to strengthen the wi-fi signal on personal laptop and is this even possible? The solution to a problem, unnoticed by anyone, often lies on the surface. Often, users put their laptop in power saving mode to save battery power. At home, this is of no use, since the beech can be easily connected to the power supply at any time, but Wi-Fi networks “lose” significantly due to this, hence the weak signal. To strengthen it, just change the power settings:

  1. Open "Control Panel".
  2. Go to the “Electrical control” section.
  3. Select "High Performance".

Homemade antennas

How to slightly strengthen the signal of a wi-fi router with my own hands without resorting to standard means, many people know. What is characteristic is that the methods work. Increasing the range of the device is possible by making unique wi-fi repeater repeaters with your own hands. This does not require anything special: the manufacturing scheme is quite simple. You need to take a piece of foil or cut an empty tin can, give it a curved shape and install it behind the router, preferably near the wall, artificially creating a directed wave. By reducing the angle, the waves are reflected from the surface of the improvised antenna, the signal is slightly amplified.

Replacing the router

If none of the suggestions help, then the problem lies in the device itself. In this case, there is only one thing left: replacing the wireless router.

Actually, after this, problems are eliminated provided that users do not skimp on the purchase, otherwise they will again have to look for the cause from the outside or do “handicrafts.” It is better to purchase a modern wi-fi router that supports operation at a frequency of 5 GHz, then you can forget about a weak signal once and for all.

Conclusion

Strengthening the signal of a router in an apartment with your own hands is an activity that does not require any special knowledge. You just need to delve into these recommendations and it will become clear that doing this at home is as easy as shelling pears.

To strengthen the router's wi-fi signal, you can use different ways, from settings wireless connection before installing a primitive reflector or purchasing a repeater. But before purchasing additional equipment or making reflective screens, you need to understand what factors affect the signal range.

What determines the size of the coverage area?

The range of a Wi-Fi signal is influenced by a number of factors:

  • Incorrect router location.
  • The presence of walls in the signal path, their material.
  • Interference from other devices operating on the same frequency.
  • Number of wireless networks around.
  • Antenna power, etc.

For example, if you place the router in the farthest corner of an apartment, then the signal on the tablet through a couple of walls will be noticeably weaker than on a laptop that is located in the same room as the router. In addition, if the device detects many neighboring access points, this also affects the signal quality - wireless networks intersect, creating interference.

These shortcomings can be eliminated at home without any special financial costs, but if you want a real increase in coverage area, or you just have a large house with several floors, then the best way The signal will be strengthened by purchasing a repeater. But first, let's see what can be done without purchasing additional equipment.

Setting up the router

If you purchased a router and found that it cannot cover your apartment or house, then do not rush to buy another router or wi-fi repeater signal. Try setting up your wireless network - for example, finding a freer channel. The more wireless networks that use the same channel, the weaker the signal. Use inSSIder to find the least busy channel.

  1. Launch the program and click "Start Scan".
  2. See what channels are occupied by your neighbors' routers.

The channels partially overlap, so you won’t be able to stay alone. But if everyone has channel 1, and you set it to 8, then the influence will be minimal. To change the channel:

  1. Open the router's web interface in a browser (the address, login and password must be indicated on the case).
  2. Go to the main section Wi-Fi settings and indicate the free channel number.

In the router interface, you can select 12 and 13 channels, but if you want maximum compatibility with devices, then set the value from 1 to 11. Some devices do not support 12 and 13 channels, so, for example, on Android the wireless network simply will not be detected .

Another way to strengthen signal reception on your phone is to set the 802.11N operating mode in the router settings. Most routers have a mixed mode of 11bgn mixed by default, but if you force the broadcast to N, the coverage area and speed of the Internet distributed over the wireless network will increase.

  1. Open the router interface in a browser. Go to the section with wireless network settings.
  2. Select 802.11 N mode and save the configuration.

Unfortunately, there are limitations here too. Older devices do not support 802.11 N mode, so it will not be possible to detect an access point on them. In this case, you will have to set the mixed operating mode back, which will negatively affect the quality of the signal. On some routers, you can additionally increase the transmission power. On D-link this is done like this:

  1. Open the web interface, go to advanced settings.
  2. In the “Wi-Fi” field, go to additional settings.
  3. Set TX power to 100.

Usually the default is the maximum value, but it’s better to check this point. On ASUS routers and TP-link the order will be slightly different, but the essence remains the same - you need to specify the maximum possible transmission power.

Using additional equipment

You can find it on Youtube different variants designing amplifiers and reflectors that users make with their own hands. Silver-plated mirrors, foil and even cut tin cans are used. The principle of operation of the reflector is simple: the signal from the antenna does not diverge in all directions, but receives a specific direction.

But if you want to significantly increase your coverage area, you should consider using special equipment. Three options can be offered:

  • Buying a new router operating at a relatively free frequency of 5 GHz.
  • Purchasing more powerful antennas (suitable if the router has removable external antennas).
  • Installing a wi-fi repeater.

The best option is to install a repeater, although buying a new router is also a good idea. Replacing the antennas will work, but the effect will be less. In addition, really powerful antennas are not cheap, so it is more profitable to take a repeater or boost the signal using another router operating in repeater mode.

The repeater does not create a second network, but only amplifies the signal from the router. Let's say the router is in the room, but in the kitchen the wireless network is no longer available. If you install a repeater in the middle of the path, the signal will be strengthened and a wireless network will appear in the kitchen.

Setting up a repeater usually does not raise any questions and consists of simultaneously pressing the WPS buttons on both devices. It is important that you will not notice that the laptop or phone is connected to the repeater and not to the router: the network still remains alone, that is, you can easily establish a local connection.

It is not necessary to buy a repeater: if you have a second router, you can configure it to operate in repeater mode. Let's see how this is done using an example network equipment ASUS:


Not all routers can operate in repeater mode. But if the interface has the ability to enable repeater mode, then there are problems with indoor coverage wireless network it won’t, because a combination of two devices will give a signal to all corners of the house.