How to Extend WiFi Range? 13 Tips to Boost Your WiFi Signal

Do you suffer from a lack of WiFi coverage far enough for a strong signal when camping on the lawn next to your home? Do you want to know how to extend the WiFi range? This article outlines ways to extend WiFi coverage and enhance WiFi signal, which may not be as challenging to implement as expected.

Tip 1. Check the wired network connection

The prerequisite for WiFi is that the router is connected to a correctly wired internet connection. You can connect your computer directly to the router via an Ethernet cable and then run speed test software to check the Internet speed.

If the router you purchased differs from the one you bought, you can call your ISP or replace it. If it is the same, you can try the following methods.

Tip 2. Update router firmware

Router manufacturers are constantly innovating to improve software and speed, so you can start by updating your router’s firmware. Firmware updates introduce new features and protocols to optimize signal transmission and address security vulnerabilities.

Regularly update your router’s firmware to maximize Wi-Fi signal strength and maintain a stable and secure network environment, protecting your network from potential threats compromising performance or signal integrity. Refer to this guide for details: How to Access and Change Your WiFi Router’s Settings.

Tip 3. Switching WiFi frequency

WiFi currently supports 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz frequency bands because the 6Hz band has a shorter wavelength, making transmission faster and more stable. However, it is accompanied by more excellent attenuation, so the 6GHz band is unsuitable for long-distance transmission.

When using the 6GHz or 5GHz band, you can switch your router to a lower frequency to extend the WiFi Range without worrying about network speed and quality.

Tip 4. Move router location

When the WiFi signal encounters walls, furniture, fish tanks, electrical appliances, etc., penetration and reflection occur. This causes the signal to weaken, reducing coverage. To avoid blocking the router, you can place it in the center of your home, away from enormous obstacles.

Tip 5. Choose an outdoor access point

A mobile router is impractical if you want to extend the WiFi range to outdoor areas such as garages or yards. The feasible way is to place an outdoor access point in the desired WiFi area.

Tip 6. Disconnect unnecessary devices

Download an analyzer tool to see which other users are using your device. If you can, try to kick them out. You can also change your password to protect your network from strangers connecting to it and avoid insecure external access.

Tip 7. Get a WiFi extender

Wireless extenders work by accepting more robust WiFi from an existing location and re-broadcasting their signal. The best way to do this is to plug the extender close to, but not in, the blind spot you want to fix.

This is because you need the extender to have an excellent connection to your router to send out a wireless signal. You can keep testing near the blind spot to find a location to connect to WiFi and upload and download files.

Tip 8. Replace your router

Replace a router used for several years with a newer, faster model, or use a mesh router. A mesh router combines the main router with one or more nodes to form a unified WiFi network. Your device automatically selects the close nodes to connect to for optimal network speeds. This type of router is very scalable, and you can add new nodes later to extend the WiFi range.

Tip 9. Replace your device’s wireless card-based network adapter

Sometimes, the router can broadcast to your device, but your device cannot send the signal back to the router. To fix this problem, replace the card-based wireless network adapter with a USB wireless network adapter with an external antenna.

Tip 10. Purchase devices from a single manufacturer

Although routers and network adapters from different manufacturers can work together, they may perform better if made by the same manufacturer. This is because products made by different manufacturers may involve compatibility issues unless you know the compatible brands when purchasing the products.

Tip 11. Change your wireless channel

The wireless router can broadcast on several different channels. If you are experiencing interference, try changing the wireless router’s channel through the router’s configuration page, which you can usually find by opening a web browser and typing the IP address into the address bar. You don’t have to change the device’s configuration because it automatically detects the new channel.

Tip 12. Replace your router’s antenna

If your router uses an internal antenna, consider adding an external one, as it sends a stronger signal. Most built-in antennas are omnidirectional, meaning they broadcast in all directions.

If you place your router near an outside wall, half of your wireless signal will be broadcast outside. To address this, plan to purchase a high-gain external antenna to replace the omnidirectional one. This will allow you to aim your router’s wireless signal in the desired direction.

Tip 13. Adopt dual-band technology

Dual-band technology simultaneously broadcasts signals in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. When network congestion occurs in the 2.4GHz band, this technology enables the user’s router to switch to 5GHz.

5GH provides more channels, which reduces the network load and extends the wireless signal. Also, since 5GHz is a relatively new band, it receives less interference from other wireless devices. This gives you the advantage of a long transmission range in the 2.4GHz band, a clean wireless environment, and higher wireless rates in the 5Ghz band.

FAQ

Q. How do I check my WiFi signal strength?

A. On most smartphones, tablets, and laptops, you can usually find a WiFi signal indicator in the status bar or network settings that displays the signal strength as a bar or value. You can also use a speed test tool to measure the speed you’re receiving at a specific location and compare it to your target Internet speed. Some routers also offer a Web-based management interface to check signal strength and other network metrics. Exactly how you do this depends on your device and operating system.

Q. What items block WiFi signals the most?

A. Here are some everyday items that block the WiFi range.

• Refrigerators and other appliances that contain a lot of metal cause the WiFi signal to bounce off them instead of continuing.
• Walls: Materials such as concrete and bricks absorb WiFi signals. The thicker the wall, the more WiFi signal it absorbs. However, utilizing a mesh router system can solve this problem.
• Water landscapes in your home (fish tanks, landscaped coffee tables, etc.). Water absorbs WiFi signals, so please do not place the router near these landscapes to extend the WiFi range.

Q. Will my internet speed drop after extending the WiFi range?

A. As a matter of fact, the signal and speed drop as you move further away from the router. But if you don’t require more than 100 Mbps for your network speed, you’re far from feeling a drop in performance.

Q. How far can my WiFi extender extend the WiFi range?

A. Some WiFi extenders allow you to extend the WiFi range in your home up to 2500 feet, ignoring environmental factors and differences in the strength of the extension device.

Q. How can I extend Wifi to my basement without using cables?

A. None of these have to physically go through the house as they use the existing wiring in your home.

• Mesh WiFi – Extend the range. Add AP on the main floor
• MoCa – Use existing coaxial cable line (add AP on other end)
• Powerline – use existing outlets (add AP on another end)

Conclusion

Many factors affect your home wireless network coverage and signal strength, and you can choose the right tips to solve the dilemma based on the actual situation of your home router.

If you still don’t know how to extend your WiFi range, call your ISP or seek help.

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