How to Boost My Reception Wireless Wi-Fi on My Laptop

Wireless network adapters (Wi-Fi) on most laptops permit the computer owner to access Wi-Fi "hot spots," which are bountiful in restaurants, hotels and coffee shops. However, there are many electrical appliances and physical signal obstructions in these locations that may interfere with the reception strength of your Wi-Fi: microwave ovens, drive-through intercom systems and cash registers are the biggest culprits. While there are no effective modifications for boosting wireless devices in laptops, there are effective use techniques that may help.

Things You'll Need

• Laptop wireless adapter with external coaxial-style antenna jack
• External Wi-Fi antenna with two or three feet of cable and a coaxial adapter on end
• USB Wi-Fi antenna

Instructions

Location and Internal Hardware

1. Ask the on-duty manager of a business where you have signal strength difficulties to point out the general location of the building's Wi-Fi hot spot. Try to locate your laptop in an area with the fewest walls or other support structures. This will increase the "line-of-sight" between the antenna and your laptop wireless adapter antenna. Your laptop antenna must be able to "see" the other antenna with the most direct open path as possible.

2. Evaluate whether your wireless adapter has a removable antenna with a coaxial socket. If so, purchase a higher gain external antenna with proper connector to extend the height in difficult signal locations. A good antenna for such purposes is one that is rated as "5db Gain" or more.

3. Consider purchasing a Wi-Fi adapter that permits you to use an external antenna if you discovered you cannot use one when following the instructions in Step 2. Have such a card professionally installed at any qualified computer repair facility in your area. These types of wireless adapter cards are on the market, and are the best possible method for extending the reception range of your device.

4. Try using one of the external USB Wi-Fi antenna devices available on the market. Using these may be a perfect alternative to purchasing a new internal wireless adapter and antenna.

Tips & Warnings

• Microwave Wi-Fi signals bounce off of solid walls and other hard structures. Always remember, the less physical obstruction, the higher your laptop's received signal will be.

References

• BinaryWolf: Steps to Better WiFi Reception
• Laptop Junction: About Wirless Networking - Primer