You bought a WiFi router, installed it and used it for a while. As a result, you were not completely satisfied with the work of its wireless network: low data transfer rate, bad level reception of Wi-Fi around the apartment, an unstable signal and constant disconnections. What to do? Is it really only a replacement for a more powerful one that will help and you will have to spend a lot of money again ?!
Do not rush to run to the store for a new one. In most cases, this problem can be solved independently! Moreover, the tips and tricks below will help to strengthen the WiFi router signal even for beginners.
Despite the fact that manufacturers of network gadgets are improving and trying to ensure the good quality of their products, out of the box, most routers come with semi-working software, on which some of the functions work crookedly. For example, Wi-Fi may be unstable. That is why updating the software is the first thing to start setting up a network device. Fortunately, this is done very quickly and simply. We go to the official website of the manufacturer, in the "Support" section, download latest version firmware for your device model.
After that, open the web interface of the router and find the menu section Software Update(Firmware update).
Everything is simple here: first you need to click on the "Browse" button and select the file with the firmware. And then click the "Update" button and wait until the process is completed. Usually this takes a few minutes.
Note: on the latest models of routers from Zyxel, D-Link and a number of other manufacturers, the function is already integrated automatic update firmware.
The user only needs to click on one button to check for updates on the site, and then another to install the update on the device.
Most users, after buying a Wi-Fi router, do not really think about the settings and leave most of the parameters at the default value.
In some cases this is sufficient. But if you want high speed and the largest WiFi coverage area, then you need to set some parameters correctly.
The first is the mode being used. The highest speed and best quality in the normal 2.4 GHz band can only provide 802.11n. We force it.
The second is the channel width. On most Wi-Fi access points, the default width is set to 20 MHz. High speed will be only at 40 MHz.
The third is WiFi Multi-Media - WMM. This parameter is responsible for quality control for different types traffic and without turning it on, you will not be able to develop the maximum data transfer rate in the WiFi network.
The fourth is responsible for the strength of the signal emitted by the router important parameter Transmit Power.
On some models, the power is initially underestimated by up to 40%. This is enough for one room, but not enough for the whole apartment. To maximize the Wi-Fi signal of the router, set the parameter value to 100%.
Not on all devices, the power of the router is explicitly regulated. For example, on TP-Link routers, this is done in the advanced WiFi network settings, the "Operating mode" parameter: 
There are three settings available - high, medium and low power. First, set the average value and check the result. There is not enough Wi-Fi coverage - set the power to high and check again.
Yes, yes, the quality of the Wi-Fi network directly depends on where the router is located. There are a few common mistakes that allow when installing an access point.
The first mistake is when the wireless device is placed under the table on system unit. There are even two mistakes here - it should be placed on the contrary higher and a little further from the PC or laptop. If the client is too close to the access point, poor quality WiFi signal.
The second common mistake is to install a router in the outermost rooms of the apartment, while it should be done as close to the center as possible. It's all about spherical wave propagation.
The Wi-Fi coverage area extends in all directions in a circle due to the fact that omnidirectional antennas are installed (narrow-directional antennas are not installed on ordinary home routers). That is why if the device is placed at the neighbor's wall, then a significant part of the coverage area will be wasted on the neighbor's apartment. We don't need this!
In some cases, it is impossible to improve and strengthen the WiFi signal in the apartment without using additional equipment and devices.
In a private house, you can strengthen the Wi-Fi signal by replacing the antennas of the router with more powerful ones, since they are on sale.
These are special devices that connect to your wireless network and enhance the Wi-Fi coverage area, expanding it with their radio module.
P.S.: I almost forgot to consider one more case - when there are a lot of WiFi routers and neighboring access points in your neighbor's house in the usual 2.4 GHz band. The fact is that the number of free channels in this case is only 13 pieces, of which only 3 do not affect the operation of each other - 1, 6 and 11. All the rest affect the operation of devices in neighboring channels. IN major cities and megacities, when searching for a wireless network, you can observe something like this:
There is no need to wait for a good quality of work from a wireless network - the signal will be unstable and the connection will often break. Yes, and the speed will be low and change abruptly. On many Internet forums and blogs, they begin to advise you to play with the radio channels of the access point, change antennas, etc.
Unfortunately, all this will be in vain. The only way out of the situation is to replace the Wi-Fi router with a dual-band one that supports 5 GHz, and then switches to other frequencies. There will be no such problem here - neither you nor the neighbors will influence you!
Running around the apartment in search of a Wi-Fi signal is not a pleasant experience. What worsens data transfer from the router and how to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal in the apartment using software and technical ways, we will tell in our article.
Wireless digital streaming technology, abbreviated as Wi-Fi, was invented in 1991. Today we give preference to it even when there is a LAN port on the device. But the trouble is that the coverage area of the router is often insufficient, and there are places in the house where the signal does not reach.
The term "Wi-Fi" was originally coined as a play on words to attract the attention of the consumer with a "hint" of Hi-Fi ("High Fidelity" - "high fidelity"). While some WECA press releases initially featured the phrase "Wireless Fidelity", this moment this wording was abandoned, and the term "Wi-Fi" is not deciphered in any way. Wikipedia
To turn off the Wi-Fi signal in the apartment can:
Try to minimize the influence of the above factors, this will help to some extent boost Wi-Fi signal in the apartment. The location of the router is also important. It should be in the center, then the coverage area will be maximum.
If you are unhappy with the signal quality, do not rush to purchase additional devices. Your wireless network may not be configured correctly. Therefore, check the settings listed below and change the settings if necessary.
Often there are several wireless networks in the house, the frequency channels of which may coincide. As a result, the quality of data transmission is significantly degraded even over short distances. Therefore, you should check and reconfigure the channel. Install the inSSIDer program on a computer with a Wi-Fi adapter, open it and in the table that appears on the screen, look at which frequency channels the nearest wireless networks operate on (Chanel column).
After finding out which channels remain free (usually used from 1 to 13), reconfigure yours by following the instructions:
A low-power transmitter on the router can also degrade the signal quality. In advanced network settings, this setting is called Wireless Transmit Power. Opposite it, you need to set the maximum power (in some models it is indicated as a percentage, in some - with words denoting low, medium and high power) and click the save button.
The 802.11n standard is able to provide maximum coverage today. To reconfigure the network for it, select Wireless Mode in the web interface settings in the Wireless menu and set it in the opposite column: 802.11n. Then save, reboot and reconnect the device. A prerequisite is that this standard must be supported by both the router and the computer.
Some modern models routers are dual-band, i.e., they can operate in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Switching to 5 GHz will provide better signal quality as it will not be blocked by radio waves emitted by other household appliances(they operate at a lower frequency).
You can also make a number of technical improvements to increase the Wi-Fi signal in the apartment.
The first way is to amplify the antenna. Some "kulibins" try to do this with the help of improvised means - foil or tin cans. In the video you can see the principle of manufacturing such "amplifiers":
However, according to those who have already experienced this method, you will not get a tangible effect. It is better to replace the antenna with a more powerful one: you will have to pay about $ 8, but the coverage area will increase significantly (provided that a 2-3dBi antenna of an 8dBi device is installed in place).
The repeater is able to significantly expand the radius of signal propagation.
GSM repeater is a radio signal repeater and amplifier designed for local expansion of its coverage area. It is a complex active radio-electronic device that operates complete with antennas and radio-frequency cables. Wikipedia
Outwardly, it resembles a power supply small size plugged into an outlet. Such a device costs about $25, but you are guaranteed to be able to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal in the apartment.
Going to rest in the Crimea and want to know where the nearest Wi-Fi points are located? Look for their list in the material "Wi-Fi points of Crimea".
Take it, tell your friends!
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