You know you’d be lying if you told us that you’ve never had a problem with a wireless signal, whether it be the Wi-Fi in your own home, at work, or at Starbucks. Being on the constant move means that we want to be able to download our emails, load our newsfeed, and stream our favourite songs without having to deal with our Wi-Fi dropping out or taking an age to connect and load. We at Advanced Computers have compiled a list of solutions that can help extend your Wi-Fi signal so you can load up that all-important Facebook game anywhere in the house.
1. Starting simple: Location!
Walls, metal, mirrors, concrete, even other wireless signals.. Nearly anything can affect the signal your router is transmitting, so it’s essential that you find the best position in the building to house your router. First, try to set your router up in a room which is closest to the centre of the house. Wedging your router between exterior walls may be welcomed by your neighbours, but is probably going to give you nightmares. Secondly, get it away from clutter. Whether this means tidying up your messy office or moving the router higher up off the ground, either way, giving your router more breathing room means its signal will have fewer obstructions, thus producing a better signal for you.
2. Updating Firmware
Getting a teensy bit more technical, updating the firmware of your router and your computer’s network adapter can also improve router signal. Think of the whole wireless connection process as a two-way relationship between the router and your computer. If something is going wrong, it’s either one of the two having trouble, if not both. To check if there is an update available for your router or your computer’s network adapter, try looking at their manuals or ‘Google’ their specific model numbers online. If you’re still a bit confused and need some assistance feel free to get in contact with us and we’ll be sure to help you out.
3. Switch Channels
Wireless routers operate through the use of radio waves which can be disrupted by cordless phones and other Wi-Fi routers in the area. To avoid the disruption, try changing the signal channel your router is using. There is not one specific method to do this, so go through your routers manual or ‘Google’ the router model for specific instructions. This solution is particularly useful for those living in an apartment complex, where there are radio waves flying left, right and centre!
4. Get a New Antenna
Before going out and buying a new antenna, it may be worth fiddling with them as this has been known to help adjust signal direction. However, if this doesn’t work, it may mean that it’s time to dig into your pockets and spend a little cash. If your router has an external antenna, then it is likely that you can replace it with a new one. There are dozens of antennas out there that can really help boost the strength of your signal, there are even antennas that can direct the signal towards a desired area. A bit of research should be done to check whether your router is compatible with the new antennas, asking the guy at the electronics shop or giving us a quick email will ensure you aren’t making any wrong moves.
5. Try a Wireless Booster
Another alternative solution (which does include opening your wallet) is purchasing a wireless booster. A wireless booster is a great alternative to setting up an access or relay point, which require a bit of wiring and manual labour. Instead, a wireless booster is simply plugged straight into a power socket, removing the hassle of dealing with wires and chords. They are great for extending the existing Wi-Fi signal to ‘dead’ spots in the household. There are a range of wireless boosters that can be found including one of our favourites that can be found here.
6. Find a Replacement
There comes a time in every routers life, when it has to accept that you need to move on. Recycling the old router and replacing it with a new one may be the best option to boost your Wi-Fi signal. There are hundreds of options to choose from, and it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll find a new router that will produce signals strong enough for your liking. Come into our store or visit our website to check out some great options, and don’t forget to ask for any special promotions!
Let us know if any of these tips helped to boost your Wi-Fi signal and be sure to let us know if you have any tips of your own that you think should be up here, we’d be glad to take them on board. Just send us an email at info@advancedcomputers.co.nz or post onto our Facebook Page
Also, be sure to check out our last blog post “Why you need network security for your home network” to make sure that you are keeping your wireless network protected at all times. And don’t forget to subscribe to our monthly newsletter for all our news, tips, a promotions. Simply put down your name and email in the field to the right of this page!