How to Fix Weak WiFi Signal Coverage at Home

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

It can be frustrating to have a Wi-Fi signal in certain spots of your home. At times this may be due to a technical glitch or wireless interference, but it may also be due to the capabilities of the networking equipment installed in your home. This guide will explore some options to help you get better Wi-Fi coverage in your home.

2. Range Check

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

• In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
• From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
• Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

3. Power cycle

If you haven't already, please try power cycling the device you're working with.

1. Turn off your device.
   

1. Wait ten seconds.
   

1. Turn your device on again.
   

4. Reboot Router

1. Unplug the power cord from your router.
   

1. Ensure that all the lights went off.
2. Wait ten seconds.
   

1. Plug the power cord back into your router.
2. Wait up to a minute for the connections to be re-established.
   

5. Reduce Wireless Interference

Wireless signal interference can cause performance issues such as slow or intermittent connections and even complete disconnects. This type of interference can be caused by the presence of:

• Electromagnetic fields created by other electronic devices such as: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capable devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, remote controlled toys, microwave ovens, seasonal lighting, or even garage door openers.
• Structural materials in walls, floors, furnishings or other large objects. The potential for structural materials in your home to absorb wireless signal and cause signal loss or undesirable behavior is as follows:
  
  Interference PotentialType of MaterialLowSynthetic material, wood, glassMediumBrick, marble, waterHighConcrete, plasterVery HighMetal

To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other electronic devices:

1. Turn off temporarily any of the above devices and check if the issue persists.
2. If it does, consider moving the affected device or any of the other devices further from the affected device.
3. Alternately, if possible, you can select different wireless channels in the devices' configuration. Consult the devices' manufacturers documentation for details on how to make those changes.

To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other objects or structures:

1. Move the affected device or any obstacles if possible and check if the issue persists.
2. If the device is in a cabinet or closet, consider taking it out.

6. Check Other Devices

Check if other devices on the same network are having the same connectivity issue. This applies to situations when:

• You are unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network:
• Try connecting to the same Wi-Fi network with other devices.
• You have no internet access or you have slow or intermittent connectivity:
• Try loading webpages, watching online videos, listening to online music or playing an online game with other devices connected to the same network, preferably through an Ethernet connection.

7. What's next?

8. What's next?

9. Relocate Device

Your device may need to be relocated in closer proximity of the router to get a stronger wireless signal.

10. Relocate Router Check

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

Bad Placement

11. Increase Wireless Coverage

To improve wireless coverage within your home, you can:

• Replace your existing wireless router with a more powerful router. The stronger output signal may resolve your Wi-Fi coverage issues.
• Acquire a Wi-Fi range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.

If a router with stronger wireless signal output doesn't increase your Wi-Fi coverage enough, adding a range extender may still be necessary.

12. Router with Stronger Signal

Not all wireless routers are created equal. Just as certain vehicles have more powerful engines when compared with other vehicles, the output power of your router's wireless signal will vary depending on the manufacturer and model.

If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, you may consider replacing your existing wireless router with a more powerful model. This is a great way to improve wireless connectivity and achieve stronger wireless signal in your home.

13. Range Extender

If the wireless signal is not reaching the device and moving the router or device in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, the best option for wireless connectivity is to get a range extender.