How to Improve WiFi Reception


Warnings

    Improve WiFi Reception
  • If you replace your router's firmware, it may void your warranty. If not done properly it can damage your router irreparably.
  • If you turn the power up too high on a modified wireless router it may suffer permanent damage.

    Steps

    1. 1

      Put large furniture along the exterior walls of your home.


    2. 2

      Minimize mirrors. All metallic surfaces reflect WiFi signals, including the thin metal layer found in most mirrors.
    3. 3
      Place your router in one of the following locations:
      • Near the center of the house
      • Off the floor, ideally on a high shelf
      • As far as possible from your neighbor's Wi-Fi router (which, of course, you've made sure is using a different channel)
      • Away from cordless phones and microwaves, which operate on the same 2.4-Ghz frequency.(There are some cordless phones that are Wi-Fi friendly)
      • Keep antennas as far away from power cords and other computer wires as possible. Those cords and wires can interfere with radio reception.

    Traveling

    1. 1
      Set the adapter settings to maximize coverage (i.e, Power Mgmt. to Maximum, Transmit Power to Maximum, and Throughput Enhancement to Enabled).


    2. 2

      Turn off your adapter if no WiFi can be found anywhere. When you reach a town, turn it back on. You will seem to find WiFi everywhere. Whether or not you can access it will be another thing.

    EditTips

    • The computer case itself can be a significant barrier to the Wi-Fi signal - try positioning the case so it doesn't come between the network card and router antennas.
    • The addition of a "high gain" (higher dBi) external antenna will often provide increased reception signal and performance. Note that a higher dBi increases the signal horizontally, but decreases vertically. If you need to cover several floors, a higher dBi will probably not help. In this case, you might consider buying a Wi-Fi amplifier, which will boost your signal.
    • Reflectors can also be used to good advantage. Use NetStumbler to tune your placement of the reflector. Compact disks can be used, as can anything that actually looks like a parabolic reflector. The reflector, of course, should be placed behind the receiving device or antenna. Large increases in signal strength can be expected. This trick also works with cellphones.
    • If all else fails, you can look into purchasing a WiFi repeater, which is a piece of hardware you can use to boost the signal between the router and your device.
    • Depending on your brand and model of wireless router, you may be able to replace the built in software with a replacement open source solution that adds much more capabilities and the option to increase the power to your wireless antenna.
    • If you still need more range, consider upgrading your wireless standard, up to Wireless N or Wireless G with MIMO. These two technologies will greatly increase the range of a formerly 802.11g or 802.11b network.

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