Who has never had problems with Wi-Fi coverage? Unfortunately, we often have to contend with interference. We checked how you can eliminate them and thus improve the Wi-Fi signal at home.
Nowadays Wi-Fi, or rather Wireless Fidelity, is used by all of us. We have it in our phones, computers, tablets and many other devices. It is a set of standards that allow to create wireless local area networks. Communication of the network takes place via radio, using waves of appropriate frequency of transmission and reception.
The undoubted advantage of such a solution is low price and quick installation, for which no cables are needed, which will certainly be appreciated by people living in historic buildings. However, there is no shortage of disadvantages. Wi-Fi has a relatively small range, it can also become a target of attack, and the transmission speed is lower than in the case of cable networks.
Range is one of the most important parameters of a wireless network. The signal is susceptible to interference from other Bluetooth transmitters and receivers, microwave ovens, refrigerators, cordless phones, weather radar and wireless mice and keyboards, set-top boxes, media players or speakers
In addition, radio waves on which Wi-Fi is based can also be attenuated by… the walls of our house – no matter if they are concrete, brick, glass or even wooden. Each of them is a kind of barrier.
And that’s not all, as the signal strength may be weakened by too many other wireless networks in the immediate vicinity of the house or apartment.
Wi-Fi signal interference at home causes a lot of irritation. They make it impossible to freely use the Internet, watch movies, use applications, play games, study and work, especially since more and more people perform their duties remotely and need the best possible connection.
First, the simplest solution. Not every one of us realizes how crucial the location of the router itself is. Under no circumstances should it be tucked away in a cabinet, mirrored closet, or utility room (away from the computer or TV), and this is unfortunately what happens because some people think it’s not the best piece of decor in their home.
This is a big mistake. Sometimes all it takes is even moving the router or installing it in the bedroom or living room for the range to skyrocket. It is worth spending some time and checking different places in the central part of the house so as to choose the best one. It’s also not recommended to place the router on the floor – it’s better to set it at a height of about one and a half meters.
If the above steps do not work, you can buy (in an electro-market or from your ISP) a signal amplifier, or Wi-Fi repeater, which captures the signal from the router, amplifies it and passes it on
Such a device will be useful when the range is weak due to the size of the house (especially if it has several floors), living in a concrete block with reinforced concrete walls, the number of connected devices, but also in a situation when we want to use the Internet in the garden, on the terrace or in the garage.
What is more, we can use one Wi-Fi repeater, but also, if necessary, several, in selected points of the house, so that the range is evenly distributed. Most models are plugged directly into an electrical outlet, or can be used as mobile repeaters equipped with USB power supply, for example for a laptop. Their price varies from about 50 to 200 PLN.
>> See also: 5G wifi in the smart home
It may also turn out that it will be necessary simply to buy a new router – much more efficient than the current one. Here the most important thing is to choose the one with the greatest number and quality of attached antennas.
