5 Ways to Strengthen Remote WiFi Signals

 WiFi signal is invaluable. When moving away from the router means your WiFi signal starts to drop. If you go far enough, you will enter a zone where WiFi cannot reach. In that situation, you may be wondering how to improve the WiFi signal. Can it be increased throughout the house or yard?

The answer is “Yes,” you can. Here's how to amplify a distant WiFi signal and extend your WiFi range, so you never lose a signal again.

How to Strengthen WiFi Signal

Boosting or amplifying your WiFi signal is easy. Here are five ways to strengthen your WiFi signal to receive better WiFi speeds:

1. Upgrade router to 802.11ac or 802.11ax

2. Move router to improve WiFi signal

3. Switch to wireless mesh for wider WiFi signal coverage

4. Upgrade WiFi antenna and receiver

5. Use WiFi Extenders (repeaters)

Let's look at each option in detail.

1. Upgrade Router To 802.11ac Or 802.11ax

One of the easiest ways to strengthen a WiFi signal is to upgrade your router. If you are still using an older 802.11g or 802.11n router, your WiFi performance will suffer. Older WiFi standards, running on older routers, don't have the same power or signal output as modern routers using the latest 802.11ac WiFi standard.

Perhaps the most significant difference between the older standard and the newer 802.11ac standard is data throughput over similar transmission distances. For example:

* 802.11n, released in 2009, can broadcast at around 600Mbps (about 75MB/s) over a maximum range of 300 feet outdoors, and about 150 feet indoors. Whereas,

* 802.11ac, released in 2014, can broadcast at approx. 1.13Gbps (approx. 166.25MB/s) over the same range.

What is 802.11ax?

The IEEE improves the 802.11 wireless standard every few years. The current standard, 802.11ac, made its way to routers in 2014. But in 2019, IEEE is already working with router manufacturers and other hardware developers to integrate the new 802.11ax WiFi standard.

Like all improvements to WiFi standards, 802.11ax increases throughput, as well as the range and number of devices that can communicate with a single router simultaneously. Another significant 802.11ax improvement is the number of WiFi channels available to your network, introducing 256 sub-channels to reduce network congestion.

Solution: If you can afford it, upgrade to an 802.11ax router. Because this is the next generation router that is sure to enter your home.

2. Move Router To Improve WiFi Signal

Your WiFi signal gets interrupted when you put it under the stairs or in a cupboard. Router placement is important when considering how to strengthen your WiFi signal. Placing your router behind a large solid object is a surefire way to cut your WiFi range.

The best locations tend to be in the hallway, in the middle of the house so that the WiFi signal radiates evenly. Of course, that's not always possible.

Solution: Move your router to a location clear of signal obstructions, large objects, and other items that may block your WiFi signal. Consider using a longer cable to move your router from its current position, if possible.

3. Switch to Wireless Mesh for Wider WiFi Range

A wireless mesh network is the best way to ensure a consistent WiFi signal throughout your home. Mesh WiFi usually uses more than one network device to cover your entire home (or office, etc). With a consistent WiFi signal. This generates the same signal in your downstairs hallway as the upstairs bathroom, and so on.

Unlike WiFi signal range extenders which create another additional network, mesh networks use one unified wireless network. Mesh networks have long been used in shopping malls, festivals and so on. But in recent years, WiFi mesh technology has been used in homes.

Wireless mesh networks also make it easy to expand. Instead of spending time configuring a WiFi extender or booster, most wireless mesh network devices connect almost instantly to their existing network. In that sense, wireless mesh networks are an excellent choice for a variety of WiFi range extension situations.

Solution: Consider upgrading to a wireless mesh network to drastically increase the range of your home network.

4. Upgrade WiFi Antenna And Receiver

Your router has an antenna that is used to broadcast WiFi throughout the house. You should consider upgrading your antenna. There are several obvious reasons to install a better antenna:

* Improved broadcast range: The prospect of increasing your WiFi broadcast range is one of the most enticing benefits of a high-gain router. Touching every room in your house with WiFi from one router seems like a good idea.

* Broadcast control: The high-gain omnidirectional antenna is replaced with a directional antenna providing precise control over your WiFi broadcast direction.

* Faster WiFi speed: As well as increased broadcast range, you get a potential increase in overall throughput for better efficiency.

Upgrading the antenna on the router is an easy and fast method to improve your WiFi signal.

Solution: Check the compatibility of your router and find out which antenna is suitable for your network device.

Upgrade WiFi Receiver

If you have a device that uses a plug-in receiver, you can upgrade it. For example, if you have a desktop that uses a WiFi dongle to connect to the internet, make sure it's using 802.11ac. If the receiver on your device is old, you will notice slower WiFi speed.

Solution: Check the WiFi receiver again for its wireless standard. If it is not 802.11ac compliant, it is time to upgrade.

5. Use WiFi Extenders (Repeaters)

If you have a modern 802.11ac router, but the WiFi signal is still problematic, you can use a wireless extender tool. The wireless extender lets you extend WiFi coverage throughout your home without worrying about additional cables or complicated networking. For the most part, WiFi extenders are plug-and-play, although this varies by model.

Perhaps the easiest option is a powerline WiFi extender. The powerline adapter plugs directly into your existing power outlet. You plug in separate separate terminals near your router and connect the two using an Ethernet cable. You then place another adapter where you need to boost your WiFi signal, and now you will have WiFi in every room or on every floor.

If your router's WiFi signal is weak and unreliable and you can't seem to find a solution, the answer may lie in a WiFi extender or powerline adapter.

Solution: Consider how old the wires are in your home. If it's very old, a dual-band WiFi extender is a great WiFi signal boost option. If not, check out a powerline adapter that also features dual-band WiFi.

Conclusion

So those are some ways to strengthen faraway wifi signal, any of the above solutions will boost your WiFi signal throughout the house. However, you have to remember one thing that with a bigger WiFi signal comes the responsibility of securing your network. If you increase your range, many people will be able to access your WiFi network without you knowing it.