2023-05-03 08:05:21
Why is my Wi-Fi signal weak?
We are not going to lie to each other, the router is of paramount importance to us. It is found in almost all homes and it is he who facilitates our access to the Internet and all that follows. But the truth is that we are greatly dependent on his goodwill. When he’s in top form, the connection is great and you don’t feel the time passing. But, as soon as he starts having tantrums, it’s a whole different story. We almost want to pull our hair so much we struggle to wait for the signal to stabilize. So, you should know that these problems of slowness or sudden cuts generally come from a bad location of the Wi-Fi itself, but also from the negative influence of electronic devices in the vicinity. Yes, remember this: if the network is sometimes unstable, it is surely because certain objects in the vicinity are blocking the device transmitting the signal. Basically, this is good news, since you will simply have to move them to solve the problem. It’s always better than a technical incident that requires contacting your supplier and paying additional costs, right?
What are the obstacles blocking Wi-Fi waves?
A router near the TV – Source: spm
Therefore, there is no point in getting all worked up. Keep your cool and look around to determine where the interference is coming from. To give you an idea, here are the elements that often play the parasites and that can hinder your Wi-Fi connection.
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If you didn’t know, this household appliance uses 2.4 GHz electromagnetic waves, identical to the old Wi-Fi standards, but with low transmission power. So, even if it’s quite rare, waves can occur and affect your Wi-Fi signal. Ideally, unplug it to be quiet.
Yes, it may surprise you, but heating can also play spoilsport. Especially if it is installed in various corners of the house, it can interfere with wireless signals quite easily.
This is bad timing, but indeed, the television may cause multiple interferences due to the metallic components with which it is equipped.
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Radios and monitors:
These devices often use the same frequency as the 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi standards, which also interferes with the 2.4 GHz band.
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Bluetooth wireless devices:
Frankly, if you don’t need them, turn them off or at least keep them as far away from the router as possible. They can dampen the Wi-Fi signal and disrupt a lot of traffic causing that pesky slowness.
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Glasses and mirrors:
Strangely, these objects contain metallic additives that can absorb Wi-Fi signals or even reflect them.
A Wi-Fi router on the table – Source: spm
Now you have a clearer idea of the disruptive elements. So all you have to do is move the router or move the obstacles away to enjoy better coverage. That said, if you want to boost your Wi-Fi signal further, there are a few interesting options to try. Here are the steps to follow to get a better signal:
1 – Run a speed test
Has your Wi-Fi been particularly slow for some time? It would be good to go to the source and run an internet speed test to try to determine precisely whether the speed actually matches your plan or not. So, precisely, if this is not the case, do not hesitate to contact your supplier to remedy the situation. Otherwise, it is also possible to upgrade your router (especially if it is an old model). Also, if you’re getting the speed you expect, but the slowness still persists, you might want to upgrade your internet plan and move to another carrier with faster speeds.
2 -Reposition your router
Did you pass the speed test, but your Wi-Fi is still slow and the signal is still weak? So the router is probably badly positioned. Common mistake: many people tend to hide it in an inconspicuous corner or install it behind a wall, sofa or other obstacle. Don’t expect good coverage in these conditions! Be aware that the Wi-Fi signal has great difficulty penetrating solid materials, and some objects may easily block it. We are talking in particular regarding a brick wall, metal appliances or even an aquarium.
3 -Make sure you are connected to the 5 GHz band
If you have a modern dual-band or tri-band router, you’d better use the 5 GHz band rather than the 2.4 GHz band for a more optimal signal. Many smart home devices (like video doorbells and speakers) only use the 2.4 GHz band (which is quite slow), but your smartphone, laptop, tablet and TV must all be connected via 5 GHz to enjoy a significantly higher speed than standard Wi-Fi.
If you are new to the field, we explain the procedure to follow: you must go to the Wi-Fi settings of each of your devices to see which Wi-Fi band is used. Then let them choose the best frequency themselves. If you have a modern router, you need to access its configuration page to find the 5 GHz band option and give it the same name (SSID) as the 2.4 GHz band.
Read also: Where to place your wifi router to have a good connection?
4 -Switch to a less crowded channel
It is quite possible that your router has several channels to choose from when broadcasting the Wi-Fi signal. Be careful, do not confuse the channel with the frequency band: there are several channels in the 2.4 GHz bands and 5GHz. While most routers default to a particular channel for each band, sometimes they get very congested, which can slow down your Wi-Fi.
5 – Get an external antenna
Believe it or not, but your router has an antenna, invisible to the naked eye since it is hidden inside the device. The problem with these type of built-in antennas is that they tend to be weaker than external antennas, and you can’t replace them either. So, the best, to benefit from a better signal, would be to equip yourself with an external antenna.
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