How to Improve Wireless Range

Updating your wireless adapter's driver improves a computer's wireless range.

Improving wireless range on your router or wireless adapter allows for enhanced connectivity and stability. Adapters and routers differ in quality. Expensive models adopt superior range and faster performance. Cheaper models tend to lose connectivity during Internet browsing sessions. However, with a few tweaks, a performance boost--in wireless range--for both models is possible.

Instructions

Update Wireless Adapter Driver

1. Click the "Start" button, and then type "Device Manager" (without quotes) in the "Search" box.

2. Click the "Arrow" icon, on the left-hand side, of the "Network Adapter" section to expand the list.

3. Right-click on your adapter and then the "Update Driver Software" option from the menu.

4. Click the "Search automatically for updated driver software" button. Then, Windows searches the Internet and your computer for the latest driver and automatically opens it.

5. Click the "Next" button, when Windows locates and opens the driver, to begin the installation. Click the "Close" button after the installation process completes and exit the Device Manager.

Change Wireless Channel

1. Click the "Start" button, and then type "Device Manager" (without quotes) in the "Search" box.

2. Click the "Arrow" icon, on the left-hand side, of the "Network Adapter" section to expand the list.

3. Right-click on your adapter and then the "Properties" option from the menu.

4. Click the "Advanced" tab and then the "Ad Hoc Channel 802.11g/b" option. Type a number between 1 and 11 in the "Value" box. The wireless channel or the numbers one to eleven help minimize interference from other nearby wireless signals.

5. Click the "OK" button to apply the changes and close the dialog box.

Tips & Warnings

• Place your router in a centralized location. Keep it away from electrical, magnetic or structural interferences.

References

• microsoft at home: 10 tips for improving your wireless network