How to improve the WiFi signal at home with 5 simple tips

To surf the Internet, work from home or play games with friends, most people use a Wi-Fi connection. However, this technology has a large number of natural enemies: walls and ceilings, some electronic devices. , as well as mirrors and metal surfaces. On that note, Five tips for avoiding signal problems.

In most cases, the performance degradation occurs because the router reaches its limits. That is, the connection comes from a point often far from the areas where it is needed.

And while there are no miracles in technology, the experts at devolo -which specializes in the development of signal amplifiers through the power grid- offers five simple tips to improve your WiFi signal.

Coverage analysis

Users are aware of the limitations of Wi-Fi coverage in the home. However, there are a few analytical tools that can paint a more precise picture.

These software considered as freemiun, deploy a visual map of the wireless network and it allows to identify the dead zones (in red) without coverage and where there is good reception (in green) to place access points.

The best applications for planning a network configuration These are NetSpot, Wifi Analyzer, Ekahau HeatMapper and Fast. With fewer but free features, Acrylic Wifi and WirelessNetView are emerging.

Router location

If the Wi-Fi is too slow or the connection drops completely, this is usually due to a range issue, as many homes have the router in a corner, behind a flowerpot or worse, even in the basement.

A central and slightly elevated position is ideal for your location, for example, on a shelf in the middle of a room or department, so that the signal is better distributed.

The router must not be locked by other objects in front of himl. It’s also not a bad idea to move some of the antennas it brings to each of its sides.

Latest models

If for some reason the router has stopped working or won’t turn on its lights, the new model will have to support Wi-Fi 5 (Wi-Fi ac) or even Wi-Fi 6.

The Wi-Fi 6 standard was ratified in early 2019 and among other details has advantages such as better transfer rates and better compatibility with the above standards. Both standards are considerably faster than Wi-Fi 4 (Wi-Fi n).

Also, part of Wi-Fi 4, the 2.4 GHz band, is extremely overloaded in many large cities. To regain speed, it is advisable to use the 5 GHz band, which has a shorter range but more power.

Repeaters

In a large single-storey or single-family home, there can be great distances, reinforced concrete walls or even ceilings between the router and the devices that we hope to connect.

These obstacles act as a brake on Wi-Fi, which becomes more and more slowly and, in the worst case, stops completely. A Wi-Fi repeater is useful for shorter distances, such as from room to room.

Repeaters are the cheapest alternative to extend network coverage. What they do is capture the signal and amplify it so that it reaches further.

The signal amplified by the Wi-Fi repeater is exactly the same as that sent by the router, with the same name for the and the same password. You must also configure them to be recognized.

Maximum range

The limited repeater is no longer suitable when the distance is very wide. However, there is also a more expensive but simpler and more efficient technical solution. These are Powerline adapters.

These devices take advantage of the home’s electrical circuit like a long data cable. The advantage is that reinforced concrete walls, ceilings and even underfloor heating systems are no longer an obstacle.

These adapters create a quick access point in any outlet. The installation is extremely easy. Just plug in one near the modem, another where you want to send the signal and synchronize them with a button.

SL