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If your Wi-Fi reception is poor, chances are you’ve considered using a Wi-Fi repeater. It seems like a natural solution, as a Wi-Fi repeater promises to boost the reach of your Wi-Fi signal. The issue is that all a repeater does is retransmit an already weak signal from your router; it’s not addressing the root of the problem.
To create a better home network, I recommend trying out some of these solutions before purchasing a Wi-Fi repeater.
Move Your Router
The easiest-to-implement recommendation on this list is moving your router to a more central location. When deciding where to put your router, follow these tips:
It’s also important to remember that the router’s antennas broadcast the signal. To optimize signal strength, make sure each antenna faces in a different direction.
Wi-Fi Extender
A Wi-Fi extender sounds like a synonym for a Wi-Fi repeater, but there are a few important differences. An extender boosts Wi-Fi signals without compromising bandwidth. Extenders are often wireless but can be wired as well. Connecting an extender directly to a router ensures that the connection speed is not diminished when emitted from the extender.
A second important distinction is that extenders do not create their own network. Repeaters, on the other hand, create two networks. This may not seem like an issue. However, devices aren’t good at automatically switching to the network that offers the best connection. This means even when you’re closer to the access point offering the best connection, your device may still connect to the access point furthest away. Using an extender means you’ll never have to manually switch networks whenever you walk into a new room.
Switch Your Devices From 5GHz to 2.4GHz
Did you know your router operates at two different frequencies? Most folks will own a dual-band router that uses 5GHz and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. Neither frequency is inherently better than the other, with each offering certain characteristics.
For example, 5GHz is faster than 2.4GHz, but only over short distances. 2.4GHz is slower than 5GHz, but as you move away from the access point, the 2.4GHz connection will be the only one you can connect to. So, you could consider switching your devices from 5GHz Wi-Fi to 2.4GHz. You might take a slight hit in the speed department, but the range will likely make up for it.
Change the Wi-Fi Channel
Routers use radio waves to connect with your devices. Radio waves are fast but can also interfere with one another. If you open your Wi-Fi settings right now, chances are you’ll see dozens of possible networks to connect to. This is especially true if you live in a densely populated residential area or apartment complex. If every router in your area functions on the same channel, there is bound to be interference.
The good news is that you can change your channel to one that is less congested. The 2.4GHz frequency has three non-overlapping channels to choose from, while 5GHz has 23 non-overlapping channels at its disposal. If you happen to be operating on 6E Wi-Fi (that’s the new 6GHz Wi-Fi channel) you have 59 non-overlapping channels to choose from. Better still, it’seasy to change your Wi-Fi router channel.
Upgrade Your Router
We love to replace our smartphones every other year and will undoubtedly buy the newest gaming console the second it drops, but when was the last time you bought a new router? You may be using a router that can onlyoperate on older, slower Wi-Fi standards. If this is the case, you have two options. One is to upgrade the firmware. If a firmware upgrade can’t increase speeds, youmay have to purchase a new router.
