Poor loading time and lost connection can be a nightmare that occurs due to weak signals. But the good news is, there are certain ways one can apply in order to prevent this from happening. Before buying a Wi-Fi range extender on someone’s suggestion, you can try cheaper tricks first.
Wi-Fi gets unreliable when you notice a drop in signals all of a sudden when you go upstairs which can basically occur due to a number of factors. Some of the ways to improve weak signals include:
How To Improve WiFi Signal Upstairs
1. Choosing a good position for your router:
If you already have your Wi-Fi connected it is better to try and change its position. By that, I mean to place the device away from large objects and thick walls as they interfere with radio signals thus cause obstruction.
Objects having the same radio frequency range can also be the culprit in emitting radio signals which can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Some of these objects include TVs, microwaves, and cordless phones, so try and move your device away from them.
2. Never hide your router:
Routers are no doubt less appealing to look at and our first instinct is to hide them somewhere in a box or behind the television.
One of the reasons why the signals get weak very often is hiding the router which otherwise would have performed so much better when placed wide open with antennas pointed upward in the right direction. So place the router close to your position for best results.
3. Look for router updates:
Go to the manufacturer’s website to check for all the updates and get them downloaded. Just like app updates the manufacturers sometimes provide updates that are necessary for good Wi-Fi connection.
4. Avoid freeloading neighbors:
Check through programs like MoocherHunter if someone else is also using your Wi-Fi. If the wireless light is still blinking after you turn off your gaming console and network then you probably have a hacker to deal with.
5. Doing a speed test:
Performing a speed test is important to make sure you are getting what you are paying for if however, you find a problem regarding speed discusses it with the cable provider. Search your providers and if you feel like they are throttling your internet performance try changing your company.
6. Tinfoil method:
Buying a longer antenna can be an option too but not all devices support them. The better alternative to this is setting a tin aluminum behind your router to make its signals spread in the correct direction.
7. Buying a wireless booster:
Buying a wireless booster and setting it up between the place of your router and upstairs is the simplest method among all. After pressing the WPS button on both the router and the wireless booster, both of them get connected to each other, and just like that, your network gets extended.
8. HomePlug:
What can be better than using your old Wi-Fi router which was of no use to you but can now be turned on as a range boosting Wi-Fi repeater? This will boost all those weak signals upstairs but this method can slow your overall speed.
9. Routers capacity:
Routers capacity matters a lot, just like how some computers don’t support simple web browsing while others can manage the 3D objects easily. Just like that not all of the routers are powerful enough to work as a reliable source if your internet usage is more than usual.
10. Setting a strong password to prevent Wi-Fi leeches:
You should protect your Wi-Fi with a stronger password and encrypt your Wi-Fi. Some of the strong password guidelines are:
- Including a combination of upper and lowercase, numbers, and symbols in your password.
- As short passwords can be easily guessed, it is better to have a password of at least 8 characters.
- Don’t use easily guessed passwords like 1234567 and so on.
- Use a unique password and completely avoid using your personal information like name or phone number as your password.
11. Switching to a different Wi-Fi channel:
To avoid Wi-Fi traffic jam it is better to check the channel used the least and switch your device to that channel instead. After choosing the new channel the Wi-Fi router can be connected to that channel by these simple steps:
- After you log in to your router as an admin go to the setting and find the wireless settings.
- You will find the channel option and it will most probably be set at auto.
- After selecting the desired channel to save the settings and wait for the router to restart.
12. Use the latest technology:
After trying everything if you still find your Wi-Fi signals weak upstairs it is better to switch to the latest wireless technology as it improves the range as well as the speed of your network. New technologies are considered are comparatively reliable but you need to make sure they are supported by your Wi-Fi-enable device and home router.
14. Long-range routers:
Too many devices connected to your network can slow down the speed of your Wi-Fi luckily some long-range routers such as Nighthawk Wi-Fi that easily connects to more than 40 devices for an area of 3000 square feet.
15. Reboot:
Sometimes as simple as, switching the Wi-Fi routers on and off improves your Wi-Fi speed. So you can consider reboot if other methods have failed.
16. Changing the wireless antenna:
It is better to adjust your antenna in a way that one is horizontal and the other one is vertical, making an L shape. But, if changing the direction of the antenna doesn’t work then try buying a new one.
The antennas provided with the router are mostly of poor quality and can contribute to the weak signals upstairs. Thus switching to better quality routers instantly solves the problem of weak signals.
17. Buy a range extender:
If despite all your efforts you still find the wireless signals weak upstairs, consider buying a Wi-Fi extender. Amazon has a list of bestselling Wi-Fi extenders which can be of help for cheap. These range extenders will help to prevent the upstairs zone of your home to be converted into a dead zone for your network but it has no effect on speed.
These aspects if considered can improve the WIFI performance if you are upstairs.