4 Simple Steps To Boost Your Wi-Fi Signal

Wireless networks are quickly replacing wired networks as the preferred means of connecting to the internet.

Setting up a wireless connection is easy, and is more flexible than a wired connection, with the increase in the number of portable computers wireless connections have grown significantly.

The biggest challenge that faces wireless connections is the lack of or weakness in signal strength. Many wireless users have to locate specific ‘hotter spots’ so as to maximize on the connection speed. This fact wears down the whole gist of wireless connections, that you can enjoy similar speeds as long as one is within range.

So is there a way that a wireless signal can be boosted, to increase speed and uptime? Yes there is. Below are four simple ways to reliably boost your Wi-Fi signal.

1. Avoid Signal Interference

Wireless signals are susceptible to interference from multiple objects, the most common being metals, walls and wooden objects. That list basically covers all the items one would find in a typical office or home. So how do we avoid all these objects without necessarily re arranging the setting? Place the wireless router in a central position. Make sure that there are little if any objects that would interfere with the signal.

2. Update Router Firmware and Drivers

One of the most common causes of weak wireless signals is the lack of updates to the wireless routers’ firmware and drivers. Most users but the router, set it up, place it in a central position away from any interference and leave it at that. If that is you, you will realise that as time passes your signal weakens. A simple update of the router’s firmware and drivers should solve the issue. Instructions on how to carry out updates on your router are carried in the manual. But a quick check on the manufacturer’s website will show if any updates are available for your router.

3. Switch Channels

Most wireless routers come pre set to run on a single channel on the 2.4Ghz band, this channel is divided into 13 channels. Many other wireless devices like Bluetooth phones, baby monitors also run in the same channels causing congestion, it goes without saying that changing the channel the router uses will clear this congestion. The options available are channel 1, 5, 9 or 13, switching between this should get you the best signal.

4. Boost Signal

A wireless signal weakens the further you move away from the access point, this can be solved by boosting it. There are various ways of going about it, the most effective is setting up other routers just within the range of the main router. This will not only increase the coverage of the signal but also strengthen it.

Another way would be to use the known objects that interfere with a wireless signal to your advantage. The most common object would be made of metal, metallic objects can be placed near the router’s antennae to concentrate the signal to a particular area. Check out this video on an interesting way to boost your wifi signal.