Wi-Fi that doesn't reach every room: causes and fixes
Why Wi-Fi doesn't cover every room and how to fix it: router placement, the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, extenders, mesh systems, powerline and wired access points.
The router sits in a corner, and in the bedroom the Wi-Fi comes and goes. It's one of the most common problems, and it can often be fixed without spending much. First, though, you need to understand the cause.
Why the signal doesn't reach
- Distance: Wi-Fi gets weaker the farther you are from the router.
- Walls and floors: reinforced concrete, stone, mirrors and metal furniture absorb the signal far more than drywall.
- Router placement: shut in a cabinet, on the floor or behind the TV, it performs much worse.
- Interference: in an apartment building dozens of networks use the same channels, especially on the 2.4 GHz band.
Before you buy anything
- Move the router, if you can, to a central spot in the home, up high and in the open.
- Update the router (the firmware): updates fix bugs and sometimes improve coverage.
- Use both bands wisely: 5 GHz is faster but goes through walls less well; 2.4 GHz reaches farther but is slower and more crowded.
The fixes, from simplest to most solid
- Range extender: cheap and easy to install, but it repeats the signal it receives, so it has to go where the Wi-Fi is still good; it usually halves the available speed.
- Mesh system: several devices that create a single network, with automatic handoff from one room to the next. It's the most convenient choice for large homes or homes on several floors.
- Powerline: carries the connection through the electrical wiring. It works well in some homes and poorly in others: it depends on the wiring.
- Wired access point: the most stable and fastest solution. If there's already a network cable in the home, or one can be run, it's almost always the best choice.
How to tell what you really need
Before buying, it pays to measure: a Wi-Fi analyzer app on your phone shows how strong the signal is room by room and which channels are crowded. With that map the right solution becomes obvious, and you avoid buying a device you don't need.
When to ask for help
If you've already tried moving the router, or if the home is large, on several floors or has thick walls, an on-site check saves time and avoids buying the wrong things.