How to Boost Your Wireless Router Signal

Lawrence Bonk Avatar

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Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:13 PM

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If you are looking to maximize your Internet speed, you may wonder how to boost your wireless router signal. The best routers, after all, may still struggle to find the best signal strength. Keep reading to learn how to troubleshoot this issue.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • If your wireless network router’s Wi-Fi signal is on the weaker side, there are some troubleshooting tips to consider.
  • Start by unplugging and restarting the router, moving the router to a centrally placed location, and investing in WiFi network extenders, a mesh network, or related devices.
  • You can also contact your ISP to ask about the overall health of your Internet connection, or connect via Ethernet cable.

Boosting a Wireless Router’s Signal

Is your Internet connection being a slowpoke? Have you learned how to check your router’s speed and found it to be lacking? There are a number of simple ways to give your wireless router a signal boost. A good router speed is between 100 Mbps and 1,000 Mbps, so if your router is performing slowly give these troubleshooting methods a try.

Method 1 – Restart the Router and Modem

  1. The easiest thing to do is to simply unplug and restart the router and modem.
  2. Start by unplugging both devices and leaving them unplugged for 30 seconds to one minute.
  3. Plug the modem in first, allow it to power on, and then plug the router in.
  4. Once both devices are operating, check the router’s speed again to look for improvements.

Insider Tip

Other household items that can impact a router’s performance include baby monitors and cordless phones.

Method 2 – Adjust the Router Placement

  1. A router should be placed in a central location within the home.
  2. Move the router away from bedrooms that may be located in a corner of the home.
  3. Place the router in a centrally located room, such as a living room, and place it high on a shelf or countertop.
  4. Routers should not be placed on the floor.

Method 3 – Remove Obstacles

  1. Routers don’t do well with thick walls and large metal appliances, such as refrigerators.
  2. Move the router around so the signal and permeate the home without being caught by these large objects.
  3. Additionally, microwaves share the 2.4GHz band with routers, so keep these two devices separated.

Method 4 – Use a Repeater, Booster, Extender, or Mesh System

  1. There are many products out there that extend the distance of your wireless signal.
  2. Wireless repeaters, network boosters, and network extenders are all good options here.
  3. Also, you can invest in a mesh router system, which combines a centrally-located router with a number of hubs placed throughout the home.

Method 5 – Check With Your ISP

  1. Your actual Internet connection could be slow, so contact your Internet service provider (ISP) for more information.
  2. They may have a better and faster plan to opt into.

F.A.Q.S

Why do you need a WiFi repeater/booster/extender?

These devices extend the range of WiFi signals and allow for a broader wireless connection and increased WiFi speeds.


Do WiFi extenders really work?

They do increase the range of your Wi-Fi network, though they are not miracle workers. For serious improvements with Internet speed, invest in Wi-Fi 6 and keep your router away from cordless phones and baby monitors.


How keeping your router updated helps to boost WiFi?

Making sure you have the latest and greatest router, such as one that features Wi-Fi 6, is a good way to boost WiFi signals and access faster speeds, as is updating to the latest firmware.



STAT: Innovations like the recent giant leap to Wi-Fi 6 technology make today’s Wi-Fi nearly 3x faster than previous generations. (source)

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