How to Make Your Wireless Signal Stronger

Many other electronics in the home and office interfere with wireless router signal strength.

Just because your existing router appears to have limited wireless capabilities does not necessarily mean you need to replace it with a expensive, high-end router to get better performance; other factors may actually be influencing your wireless signal's strength. With some strategic positioning and inexpensive additions, you can increase the strength of your wireless signal while only spending a fraction of what it would cost to buy a new router.

Things You'll Need

• Wireless booster antenna (optional)
• Wireless signal repeater (optional)

Instructions

1. Position the wireless router on a high shelf or table away from large metal objects and other wireless electronic devices. Height is crucial because it allows the wireless router to broadcast its signal further and with less interference. Large metal objects and other wireless electronic devices also can interfere with the router's ability to broadcast a clear, uninterrupted signal.

2. Mount the wireless router on a wall near the ceiling if your immediate environment lacks any strategic high places.

3. Purchase and install a wireless booster antenna to improve the strength of your wireless signal. Omnidirectional booster antennas broadcast in all directions and work best for routers placed at the center of a room or home. Directional booster antennas broadcast the wireless signal in a limited radius and may work best for routers placed in the corners.

4. Purchase and install wireless signal repeaters. Signal repeaters are placed within the existing router's range and will broadcast that same signal within its own radius. Wireless signal repeaters have the additional benefit of not requiring access to any wired access to broadband since they are not a standalone wireless broadcaster.

5. Change the frequency of other wireless electronic devices to avoid interference with the wireless router. For example, if your wireless router broadcasts at the 2.4 GHz frequency, purchase phones and wireless devices that broadcast at a different frequency.

6. Change the wireless broadcast channel of your wireless router to minimize signal interference from other wireless electronic devices. You can typically access this option by visiting the setup page of your router (which is usually accessible to any computer connected to your router).

References

• VoIP-Sol: 10 Ways to Boost your WiFi Signal
• Micosoft at Home: 10 Tips for Improving Your Wireless Signal
• Daily Wireless: 10 Tips to Increase Your Wireless Range