How to improve WiFi signal

How to improve WiFi signal

This guide to boosting your WiFi signal will help you get a wider wireless range, and faster internet speed. A good wireless network is a fantastic addition to the home. Getting faster, more reliable internet with a wider range is a bonus for everybody in the home. This guide to improving your WiFi connection has tips that provide a faster, more reliable and wider range network. Everybody wants a better wireless internet connection at home. A faster connection means web pages load more quickly, YouTube and iPlayer stream smoother, and downloads arrive faster. Boosting your WiFi will allow you to use devices further away from it: in more rooms in the house, or out in the garden. Because wireless internet deteriorates with range, improving WiFi means that youll get faster speed when close to the router. A more reliable connection means fewer frustrating dropouts, and fewer instances when your home internet stops working. These tips will help you get a faster, and more reliable internet. See also: A good way to get started is with information on which router you are using. Hold down the Option key [ ] while clicking on the AirPort icon (the WiFi icon in the Mac bar in the top right of your screen) in macOS to get more information about the wireless network you are connected to. macOS AirPort information is great, but we find to be a much better tool for getting detailed information about on wireless networks. The latest version is . iStumbler gives you detailed information about the wireless networks available. Things to look out for are: There is more information available in iStumber, and its a good app to get to know. Especially if you use a MacBook and periodically look for wireless hotspots. There are different types of router around, all using a standard known as 802.11. The old style of router called 802.11g is still prevalent, but it runs much slower than the 802.11n, or 802.11ac type. iStumbler will let you know which protocol your router is using. Most modern routers use the n standard, if not you might want to consider investing in a new router. Ask your service provider about an upgrade. If your router has the option to operate in either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz band, you should opt for a wider (5GHz) band. Not all devices can operate in the 5GHz band, but its been around for a while so unless youre using an older device it should work just fine. If your router is a little old, and you cannot get an upgrade from your provider, then should consider investing in a new . You can Apple AirPort routers and connect it to your current internet modem. The AirPort Extreme has dual antennae and can provide both a WiFi 802.11b, g, n network in 2.4GHz mode and a faster 802.11 n, ac network operating in the 5GHz band. See: Attach an AirPort Extreme to your current router, and it will bridge to the network providing you with a brand new up-to-date wireless connection alongside your current wireless router. Try moving your router to a more central position in the house (or closer to the area where you want to use it. A closer position to where you work will improve the signal in that area. If your router has a removable aerial then consider connecting a high gain antenna. sells a range of solutions that can boost your wireless range. Read: . If iStumbler is reporting much competition from other wireless routers in the same channel, consider switching your router to another channel. Most routers have a web interface that you can use to access the settings. Enter its IP address (often found on the rear of the router) into Safari to access its web settings (its often 192.168.0.1). The web interface of the device will inform you which devices are accessing it. If you have a lot of different devices connected, you may want to consider disconnecting some of them. In busy households, you might want to consider adding a second router (such as one for you, one for the kids) so you do not take up too much bandwidth. Along the same lines as making sure unwanted devices are removed from your router. Ensure that outsiders are not connecting to your router. Be sure to check that you have a good WPA2 password set up on your router. Read: