It is very frustrating to constantly get disconnected from the Internet while browsing the web, playing online games, or streaming movies. Most of the time, this can be attributed to poor wireless signal or strength at home. But, there’s no need to replace your old router for a new one just yet.
Here are five tips to boost your wireless router signal.
Remove obstructions
Wireless signals are impeded by dense objects like metal. If there are obstructions, like walls, pipes, metal cabinets, etc. between the router and the computer, the wireless connection can get hampered and greater interference can be expected.
The best solution is to position the router away from obstructions and other signal-interfering objects in order to maximise its signal strength. A central location can make a significant improvement in the performance of the Wi-Fi router.
Switch to a more open channel
There are 11 standard channels wireless routers can use to send and receive data. The most common channels used are 1, 6, and 11. The idea is to put your router away from everybody else’s because the greater the number of routers operating on a single channel, the slower the connections will be.
There are free tools you can use to scan for nearby networks and to find out what channel they’re on. Once you’ve done that, you can switch to a different channel that’s more open.
Check for firmware updates
Find out if your router has fallen out of date by checking for firmware updates for your specific router model and version. You should be able to find the latest firmware for it on the manufacturer’s website. Once you’ve downloaded the file, you can install it via the configuration page of the router.
Get the latest adapter drivers
Your wireless adapter can potentially boost your router’s performance if updated periodically. To do this, you’ll need to identify the manufacturer of the adapter as well as its make and model. Go to the control panel to the device manager and expand network adapters to find this information. Once you’ve done that, visit the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers for your specific device.
Replace the antenna
If all else fails, you might need to do some replacing – but only the antenna if your router has an external one. Depending on the positioning of the router, you can choose among different antennas for maximising signal strength. You can either go for an antenna that aims the signal in one direction, or an omnidirectional one that boosts signal performance.
Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk