How to improve router connectivity. Types of Wi-Fi amplifiers
A regular router has a range of about 30 meters or more, but for many reasons the range can be greatly reduced and the signal level will drop below the desired level. Signal drops can be caused by interference from metal structures or other devices that use high-frequency radiation (cell phones and microwave ovens). Therefore, now many are wondering how to strengthen the router signal.
Strengthening the WiFi signal is a completely solvable task, and for this you can use the methods given below.
Install a WiFi router or access point (WAP) in the central part of the room
In the case where the router or access point is located outside (on the outside of the house), the signal amplification from the opposite side of the house will be weak. If the router is located on the first floor and the computer is on the second, then for a stable signal it is recommended to place the router high in the room (for example, on a closet).
It is not recommended to install the WiFi router on the floor, too close to the wall or near metal objects
This is caused by the fact that metal objects (safes, refrigerators, etc.), floors and walls get in the way and interfere with the strengthening of the WiFi signal. Accordingly, the closer you are, the stronger the interference and weaker the signal.
Replacing a WiFi router antenna
Most standard antennas are omnidirectional, and transmit the signal equally in all directions. Therefore, when the router is located near an external wall, “half” of the WiFi signal will correspondingly go outside the house, and part of the router’s power will simply disappear.
Most routers do not have the ability to configure power gain, but you can find ways to most effective use power. If you have a router with a detachable antenna, you can replace it with an antenna with a higher gain, which will amplify the signal in only one direction. Such an antenna can be directed in the direction where the signal is most needed.
There are many design options for such antennas. You can make them yourself or buy them.
Example video on making a simple antenna:
To amplify the signal, you can make a reflector from foil. Cut a circle of foil large enough to wrap around your router. Secure a circle of foil over the router itself and install the antenna in the center of the circle.
For more effective action, you can make a small parabola from foil and attach it to the antenna, as in the figure below.
DIY antenna
Replacing the network adapter (WiFi card)
This recommendation is intended for laptops or PCs that have weak software installed. WiFi power map. To correct this situation and strengthen the WiFi signal, you need to replace the WiFi card with network USB an adapter that uses an external antenna.
By adding an external antenna to your computer with the required gain, you can significantly increase the coverage area and strengthen the signal.
Installing a WiFi repeater
To increase the coverage area, you can install a WiFi repeater; it will work as an amplifier for the router. The repeater is installed in the middle, between the router or access point and your computer. By connecting a repeater you can instantly amplify WiFi signal. Popular repeaters are Hawking Hi-Gain, Wireless-N standard Linksys, D-Link, ViewSonic and Buffalo Technology.
Changing the router channel
WiFi routers can broadcast on different channels (similar to radio stations). For example, in the United States these are channels 1, 6, and 11. Just like radio stations, the transmission may be better on one channel and worse on another. To configure the channel, you need to open the router configuration page and change WiFi channel. After this, you need to check whether the signal has improved or not. The computer configuration does not change, since the computer automatically detects the new channel.
Web interface
The address of the router configuration page is indicated in the instructions, or you can see the table below.
IP addresses of access points
To strengthen the router signal, you need to reduce radio interference
For work wireless technologies The 802.11g (Wireless-G) standard is used and the frequency is 2.4 gigahertz (GHz). Microwaves, cordless phones, and other electronics also operate in this frequency range. Therefore, it is possible that the computer cannot receive the router's signal due to the emissions from these devices. 7. To strengthen the router's signal, you need to reduce radio interference.
When operating a Wireless-G network, you can reduce interference by avoiding the use of 2.4 GHz wireless electronics. You can choose other devices that operate at 5.8 GHz or 900 MHz. The Wireless-N network can operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, and on the less used 5.0 GHz frequency.
Firmware update for network adapter driver
Manufacturers network equipment are regularly released free updates drivers. In some cases, these updates can improve performance and consequently strengthen your WiFi signal. Latest updates can be downloaded from the router manufacturer's website.
Higher performance can be obtained if you choose a WiFi router and network adapter one manufacturer.
For example, some manufacturers offer a doubling of hardware performance when choosing a complete package of their hardware.
Upgrading 802.11A, 802.11G, 802.11B to 802.11N
Pay attention to what standard your router operates in. Wireless-G (802.11g) is the most common wireless network, but Wireless-N (802.11n) has more gain and is twice as fast. The Wireless-N standard is backward compatible with 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11b standards.
When purchasing new equipment, it is better to choose the Wireless-N standard. This is, for example, Linksys Wireless-N WiFi routers.
WiFi router amplifier
To strengthen the router signal, you can use a special amplifier. The amplifier increases the strength of the router's existing signal.
Amplifier Booster
This amplifier works in conjunction with a router. It is connected to a wifi router, for example, to the connector of the router’s standard antenna. Booster amplifier power is 2w.
Hi all. Probably many of you have Wi-Fi in your apartment? There have often been cases when the signal on a laptop or smartphone in one room wifi is good, and in the other it is weak, or it does not exist at all, and accordingly there will be no Internet there.
In this article I will describe steps that will help you increase the signal strength so that it is equally strong anywhere in the apartment.
I can’t get Wi-Fi on my laptop, what should I do?
If the laptop does not receive Wi-Fi at a distance from the router, but everything is fine close by, then the Wi-Fi coverage area is too small and needs to be expanded.
First, let's look at why the wi-fi signal is weak.
The coverage range of the wi-fi network is approximately 40 meters, but in open areas. In the apartment, in the path of the signal there is an obstacle in the form of walls. And if the wall is reinforced, it is even more difficult for the signal to get through it. But if the signal still breaks through one wall, then after two or more, perhaps there will be nothing left of it.
Also, a weak signal may be due to a low-quality router (wi-fi access point).
Let's imagine wifi location router in the apartment. The picture below shows the coverage area Wi-Fi router, located in the far right room.
As you can see in the lower left room the signal will be very weak or not at all. This is the reason why Wi-Fi reception is poor.
The most obvious solution is to place the wi-fi router in the center of the apartment. But what if this is either impossible, because... When connecting, the Internet provider left too little cable or repairs have already been made.
For this you can purchase second wi-fi a router that can function as a repeater (required!) and place it on the other side of the apartment. The main thing is that the wi-fi network of the main router is within reach.
Plus this method is that there is no need to lay additional wires; the routers connect to each other via Wi-Fi.
First, make sure you know the password for your existing Wi-Fi network. If not, then you can “peep it in the settings network connections" For this:
Now that you know the key of your wi-fi network, you can start setting up a second router.
To configure the router, follow these steps.
Connect the second router to your laptop using a cable to the LAN port. To avoid getting confused with connections, temporarily disable the Wi-Fi receiver on your laptop.
After establishing a local network connection, enter the address in the browser 192.168.1.1 (or 192.168.0.1 ). When prompted for a login and password, enter the login - admin, password - admin. All routers come with this login and password from the factory (also look at the “belly” of the router). If you have previously changed it, you will have to enter your username and password, or reset the router to factory settings.
After you have logged in, you need to change the operating mode of the router. To do this, click on “Operation mode”.
In the operating mode selection window, select “Repeater mode”
Then select from the list active networks exactly yours and click “Connect”
When prompted for a network key, enter the security key of your wi-fi network, which we learned earlier.
Afterwards the connection to the network will occur.
It should be noted that the IP address of your second router will change, which it will report as in the figure below.
This completes the setup. Now both wi-fi routers distribute wi-fi throughout the apartment.
I described setting up repeater mode for ASUS router KE-G32. For other routers, the setup process will be different, but the principle is the same. Also, the Wi-Fi coverage area can be expanded with a third or fourth router. This will be useful if you want to distribute Wi-Fi to your neighbors).
Another the simplest way how to boost the signal of your Wi-Fi router, laptop or computer without spending a penny. The story will be about how to make an attachment for an existing antenna with your own hands, with the help of which you can significantly increase the signal level, and therefore the range and coverage area Wi-Fi signal.
What do we need
From materials for the nozzle:- Foam backing - food packaging. You can use any other material or sheet of cardboard.
- Thick copper wire. A short segment.
- Scissors.
- Ballpoint pen or pencil.
- Vernier calipers or regular ruler.
- Wire cutters.
All dimensions are indicated in millimeters. The idea is this: a long piece of foam substrate is mounted on the antenna, into which copper pieces are inserted. This creates the directionality of the antenna and the concentration of the signal in one direction.
Above are the distances between the copper pieces. And below is the length of each copper piece.
I took this pallet, in which dates or greens are often sold.
Thick section copper wire 0.8-0.9 mm in diameter. You can try with a thicker one.
We mark the lining with a caliper and put points with a pen where the antenna from the router will be inserted.
Draw the cutout lines.
We cut out the guide with ordinary scissors.
We look at the drawing and decide where and how long the segment will be inserted.
Use wire cutters to cut the wire to the appropriate length.
Insert the wire pieces into the guide. If desired, you can secure them with hot glue so that they do not fly out.
Our amplifier attachment is ready for testing.
Turn on the laptop, run the program scanning the signal reception level. Let's wait a bit to notice the level of initial reception. Then we put the nozzle on Wi-Fi antenna, send it to the router and immediately see an increase in power and signal level.
To check, we remove the attachment from the antenna and immediately see the signal drop to the initial level.
We put it on again and again we see an increase. Everything works great.
I put the nozzle on the adapter module Wi-Fi connected to the laptop. If you want to significantly increase the reception distance, then you need to put such an attachment on the antenna of your distribution router. Two Wi-Fi antennas facing each other will work great.
This is such a simple and effective way make life easier in a few minutes. Now there are no problems with the Internet in my gazebo in the garden, and most importantly, I didn’t have to buy anything. And we all know very well how much expensive antennas or routers for remote points and objects now cost. Until next time.
Hi all! In this article I will tell you how to strengthen the signal wifi router in your home or office.
WI-FI is very popular today in terms of demand in the field of computer technology. There is WI-FI around a large number of problems. If the speed of the Internet connected wireless connection, is very low, then in my article you will find 10 tips that will help you strengthen the router signal, and thereby increase the Internet speed.
Why is the wifi signal very weak?
If your internet speed improves when you reboot your router, then you can use this tip. When conducting an in-depth study, you can find out what the problem is, most often it is overheating of the iron or old firmware. But you shouldn’t get hung up on this, you can just do it about once a day (or more often).
You can reboot using DD-WRT firmware or timer. If you configure the router to automatically reboot, you won’t have to do it manually every time.
We increase the wifi signal using DD-WRT firmware
The DD-WRT firmware significantly improves the router's Wi-Fi signal. With this firmware, you will not only be able to additional functions, but also improve the stability of the router.
Of course, this can damage the equipment, but more routers can easily handle a power increase of up to 70 mW. Do not forget that radio radiation is dangerous for the body, and therefore you should not leave the router running at high power too often.
Restrict others' Internet connection
If anyone in your home network If you often sit in video chats, download movies and music, or play online games, this, of course, significantly affects the Internet speed of other home network users.
If this is your case, then increasing the signal strength will be useless; in your case, you should configure the “Quality of Service or QoS. With its help, priorities will be set for speed direction for more important programs that you need for your work.
Setting a good wifi password from neighbors
If a password is set on your router, this does not mean that it is. It's not that difficult to do this. There are methods that will help you detect all users who are connected to your Wi-Fi. But this won’t do much, it’s better to completely deprive your freebie-loving neighbors from using your Wi-Fi.
How to strengthen a wifi router signal by extending the antenna
Install the router in the center of the room!
It often happens that the router does not fit into the design of the apartment, but you should not hide it too far, for example, in a closet. To strengthen the signal of the router, you should place it in an open and free place.
It is better to install the antenna in a vertical position. The higher the router is installed, the better it will be. In order for the signal to cover the entire apartment, it is advisable to install the router in its center.
Buying a modern router (expensive)
This method is not only the simplest, but also the most reliable. The point of this method is to use the most modern equipment.
That is, buy a router with the most long range signal transmission. It will be expensive, but you will forget about how to strengthen the router’s wifi signal.
Installing a wifi repeater (repeater)
If all the tips I listed below did not help you, then you need to install a WiFi signal repeater in your house. It won't cost you a lot of money, and if you still have an old router at home, you can use it, which will allow you to increase your wireless coverage area.
It is necessary to flash the old router using the DD-WRT firmware mentioned above. There is a possibility that the speed will not be as high as the speed of the main router, but this is much better than not having it and it is completely possible to connect to wireless Internet in the far corners of the apartment.
Having done everything that I advised you in this article, you will learn how to strengthen the wifi router signal and the speed, reliability and security of your wireless internet. Recently I told a very interesting point, you can read it very interesting, and you can also read about it. That's all for me, I wish everyone great health!
With UV. Evgeny Kryzhanovsky
Laptop owners often encounter a problem when the Wi-Fi adapter built into the laptop has poor Wi-Fi signal reception. This problem can also occur among owners WiFi USB adapters that have low power and sensitivity.
There are situations when the computer shows a good signal level, but does not connect to the access point, or connects, but the Internet does not work. This can happen if the laptop is within the coverage area of a powerful access point, but at a great distance from it or behind walls. It turns out that the Wi-Fi point transmits the signal to you, and the laptop adapter reverse side cannot transmit a signal over such a distance or through walls.
Typically, the built-in Wi-Fi adapter of a laptop works up to 100 meters in an open space, and up to 35 meters indoors, depending on the walls.
To strengthen the Wi-Fi signal on a laptop or computer, you need to install a powerful external access point or a powerful Wi-Fi USB adapter.
Installing an external access point has its drawbacks. It must be installed, secured, and connected to a 220V outlet. Therefore, an external access point does not have the same mobility as a Wi-Fi USB adapter, which can be taken into a bag with a laptop and turned on anywhere by connecting to a USB connector.
In this article, we will test the Wifistation Wifi adapter from Ubiquiti and determine how much it can boost the Wi-Fi signal.
Ubiquiti produces the Wifistation adapter in two versions: Wifistation and Wifistation-EXT.
Wifistation EXT has an omnidirectional antenna, and an RP-SMA connector to which you can connect an external directional antenna. The adapter can be used outdoors and is not affected by water. The adapter is powered via the computer's USB port. This model is popular among sailors who are anchored in ports and want to connect to Wi-Fi access points on shore. Sailors connect an external panel antenna to the Wifistation EXT and can receive Wi-Fi signals from a greater distance.
Wifistation has a built-in directional antenna. This allows it to operate further than the Wifistation-EXT with an omnidirectional antenna. The adapter is powered via the laptop's USB port. Wifistation is suitable for laptop owners who need mobility and a long range.
Testing Wi-Fi adapters D-Link DWA-120 and Ubiquiti Wifistation
For testing, we took the D-Link DWA-120 adapter and Ubiquiti Wifistation.
Let's do a simple test, connect Wi-Fi adapters one by one and see how many Wi-Fi networks they find.
As we can see the result is obvious. Wifistation allowed not only to amplify the signal of Wi-Fi points that the D-Link adapter found to 100%, but also found an additional 13 new Wi-Fi networks.
Wifistation is a very powerful and very sensitive Wi-Fi adapter that will enhance the Wi-Fi signal on a laptop or computer.
By default Wifistation is not set to maximum Wi-Fi boost signal. This is due to the fact that in different countries Various allowed Wi-Fi power adapters. Let's configure Wifistation to use its full potential.
Open Device Manager from Control Panel → Computer Management.
On the Ubiquiti Wifistation icon, click right click mouse and select Properties.
Now open the tab Additionally, select Property: Country Code and in the dropdown list Meaning: select Compliance Test.
Now with Wifistation you can maximize your Wi-Fi signal and see more Wi-Fi access points.
If you need to improve Wi-Fi reception on a laptop, then you will need a powerful and sensitive Wi-Fi adapter with a good antenna.
Nowadays they have become very popular powerful Wi-Fi adapters from the Taiwanese manufacturer Alfa Network. They have earned their popularity primarily among sailors, who use them to connect from a ship to Wi-Fi points located at great distances on the shore. We will look at the two most popular models Alfa Wi-Fi adapters.
What does using Wi-Fi data adapters? To answer this question, we decided to conduct a test and compare how much Alfa adapters will help improve Wi-Fi reception on a laptop compared to its built-in Wi-Fi adapter.
After scanning the air standard means On Windows we got the following:
- The laptop found only one Wi-Fi network of the router, which is installed indoors.
- Found Wi-Fi adapter Alfa 036H 8 wireless networks.
- Found Wi-Fi adapter Alfa 036NHR 13 wireless networks.
The clear favorite in terms of the number of networks found was the adapter Alfa 036NHR.
But the number of Wi-Fi networks found is not yet an indicator. The wireless adapter can see the network, but if it has a weak signal, it won't connect to it. Therefore, you still need to look at the level of Wi-Fi signal reception. The free Homedale program will help us determine the signal level. Let's scan the air with its help.
Let's look at the signal levels in the screenshot. The lower the dBm number, the better the signal reception. For example, a signal -63 dBm- it's better than a signal -73 dBm. An ideal Wi-Fi signal is considered to be between -60 dBm before -65 dBm. Everything above -60 dBm(for example -45 dBm) - this is too powerful a signal, anything lower -80 dBm( for example -87 dBm ) - signal is too weak.
The picture shows that the adapter has the best Wi-Fi signal reception levels Alfa 036H, which means it will have the longest range. However, this adapter does not support data transfer using the higher speed N standard. That's why he found fewer Wi-Fi networks than the adapter Alfa 036NHR.
The following conclusions can be drawn from the tests:
- Wi-Fi adapter is the most sensitive and long-range. But due to the lack of support for the N standard, it will not be able to connect to wireless networks that operate only in the N standard.
- Wi-Fi adapter is the optimal Wi-Fi signal booster for a laptop. It is fast, powerful, and can work with wireless networks that operate only in the N standard.
If Alfa adapters with a native 5dBi omnidirectional antenna do not give you the required gain, then you can connect a directional antenna with a higher gain. As an example, we took a compact panel antenna with a gain of 15 dBi, which sailors often take with them on voyages.
In this configuration, the Alfa 036H adapter found as many as 22 wireless networks and significantly improved Wi-Fi reception on the laptop.
Therefore, if you supplement the Alfa adapter with a directional antenna, you will get the most powerful Wi-Fi signal amplifier for a laptop.
Offhand two options
1. Special antennas are sold, more serious than standard ones. You won’t get a significant improvement, but there will still be results
2. Buy a WiFi Range Extender (sometimes called a Range Booster) - they help a lot if the weak signal is a consequence of the distance.
style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
Quote(GrayWolf @ 7.06.2008 - 15:15) 1182161
Gan, you are an evil guy, you fix all the deflections :)
I wanted the best...
If someone recorded my deflections, I would say “thank you.”
And everyone only strives to offend the unfortunate don. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)
Quote (don_Gan @ 7.06.2008 - 14:29) 1182148
Quote (Danil Sergeevich @ 7.06.2008 - 14:00) 1182140
Quote (don_Gan @ 06/04/2008 - 12:05) 1180702
Increase the signal strength at the point and/or subscriber equipment.
Tell me, please, how can I increase the power of the receiving signal on the subscriber device?
1. You can increase the TRANSMITTED signal power and/or SENSITIVITY.
2. The word "ADOPTIVE" in in this case does not fit the rules of the language. Should have written "ACCEPTABLE".
3. Depends on the characteristics of the subscriber device.
For Windows XP, this is usually changed in the wireless adapter driver settings.
4. Did you want to demonstrate your originality? DEFLECTION IS FIXED! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
1. Tell me, how can I increase the power of the received signal on the subscriber device? (if this device is not Windows XP).
2. If you have nothing to say, do you start using the “you’re a fool” style?
3. Please tell me where in Windows XP I can find “change the received signal strength” and set it there, say, -30 dB, otherwise -60 somehow doesn’t work.
4. no, what are you talking about? The recognized expert here is clearly you and I’m not going to rise to your level. sit on your tree.
Danil Sergeevich:
See point 1 of my answer - the power of the RECEIVED signal cannot be increased.
And I never talked about changing the power of the RECEIVED signal.
The same goes for the device called "NEWINDOWS XP".
The points should be considered one by one, i.e. Clause 3 makes no sense without clause 1 and 2.
There are two output options:
1. If a smart person wanted to make a joke, he failed.
2. If you’re a fool, we won’t agree.
My laptop is connected to a neighbor’s Wi-Fi. I want to strengthen the received signal using an external modem or router, I don’t understand anything about this. Please advise something.
Look towards WiFi Extender - this is exactly what they are needed for. Although it may not be cheaper than a router.
Some Access Points can work as a WiFi Range Extender, but I wouldn’t count on it; it’s better to install a real specialized device.
Dear:
wasary
Aurum792
Danil Sergeevich
There are several ways to solve your problem, so:
let's call the WiFi emitter point A, and your receiver (laptop) point B
1) to increase the signal power at point B, it is necessary to install an antenna with a more powerful gain at point A
2) to improve reception at point B, it is necessary to install an external antenna at point B aimed at the emitter, but since you have a laptop, and as far as I remember they don’t have external connectors for connecting an antenna, this option doesn’t suit you.
3) well, the third option is to place between points A and B, point B (WiFi repeater), which will amplify the signal weakened by distance.
P.S. And lastly, don’t pay attention to comrade “Don Gan” - ah, just read his nickname by changing Don with Gan and it will become clear to you why he behaves this way...
Dlinka has an access point DWL-2100AP, it can work in repeater mode, here is a link to its description: http://dlink.ru/ru/products/2/243.html
What is the essence of a repeater: when a given point in the settings is set as a WiFi repeater, there in the settings you indicate which of the existing signals around it (it will show you what it will pick up) needs to be strengthened. Well, after successful setup, you will connect your laptop to the signal amplified by the repeater. It is advisable to install it approximately in the middle of the distance between points A and B.
Every year we buy more and more different gadgets that have access to the Internet: netbooks, tablets, smartphones, Smart TVs, even a refrigerator with WiFi already I saw it in the store. All this modern technology has a WiFi module. Of course, even if this device has a LAN port, everyone still wants to connect it via WiFi. And here sometimes you have to deal with the fact that the wireless network coverage area is not enough. Any literature on wireless networks states that the range of the network depends on the type of wireless access point or router used, the supported 802.11 B/G/N/AC standards, the number and power of antennas. But it is not mentioned everywhere that the coverage area is also greatly influenced by external factors: arrangement of devices in the apartment, the material from which the walls are made, the presence of mirrors, furniture, household appliances, access points in the neighborhood, etc. And here the user naturally faces the question - how to improve the level of reception and strengthen the WiFi signal?! In this manual, I will talk about two main directions of action that I use myself: software and hardware. The meaning of the first is optimal setting existing equipment. Hardware method consists of improving existing equipment, or purchasing and installing additional devices.
But before you start experimenting with the settings and buying additional accessories for your router or access point, take a close look at their location. It is advisable to install them so as to cover the maximum area of the home with the network:
The second point is to pay attention to the walls and partitions between rooms. They can be an impenetrable obstacle to radio waves. Reason bad signal a wall covered with plasterboard or made of expanded clay, gas or foam concrete blocks can serve. It’s even worse if the wall is concrete and with reinforcement. In most cases, the fittings play the role of a kind of screen, which, although it transmits the radio signal, significantly dampens it. Even having a large mirror or an aquarium on the wall can significantly reduce power. In this case, it makes sense to experiment with the location of the wireless router in the apartment. And not only horizontally, but also vertically.
How to programmatically boost a WiFi signal?!
Unfortunately, many router owners and wireless points access they don’t really bother with setting up wireless network, limited at best to changing the SSID and entering the network security key. They leave the rest as default. And this often plays a cruel joke on them if several wireless networks appear in the neighborhood.
1.The reason for the weak signal is the coincidence of frequencies of wireless network channels.
I don’t know about you, but in my building there are only about 15 wireless WiFi networks within reach. This is not entirely good - the networks will intersect and occupy the same channel. The result will be poor reception even at relatively short distances. Therefore, if you want to strengthen the WiFi signal, the first action should be to select a radio channel. For this you will need special program. The most popular of them is. It must be installed on a computer or laptop with a WiFi adapter and run:
In the table you will see all available wireless Wi-Fi networks in the area and the frequency channels they occupy. In Russia, channels 1 to 13 are used. We are looking for free channel numbers and Now you need to go to the router settings ( http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1) and in the “Wireless” section find the “Channel” parameter:
In the list of channels, you need to select the number of a free channel and click the “Change/Save” button to apply the settings.
2. Bad signal from the low power transmitter on the router.
On some models, you can adjust the WiFi signal transmission power in the advanced network settings. To do this, in the “Advanced settings” section of the network, find the “Wireless Transmit Power” parameter:
The values of this parameter can be either a percentage or abstract values - High, Medium and Low. We exhibit maximum value and click the Save button. Unfortunately, the ability to regulate Wi-Fi signal strength is not available on all SOHO-level devices. But in this case it can help alternative firmware type DD-WRT, Open-WRT, Tomato, etc. Of course, provided that one exists for your model.
3. We exhibit wireless standard WiFi - 802.11N.
Until devices with 802.11ac went on mass sale at a low price, the 802.11n standard is the most modern and fastest. But besides this, it has another big plus - an increased coverage radius due to the use of several antennas. The only condition under which a transition to the 802.11n standard is possible is that it is fully supported by all devices from which you will connect to the wireless network. Otherwise, they simply won't see it. In order to switch the operating mode of the Wi-Fi module of your router to the 802.11n operating mode, you need to set the “Operating mode (Wireless Mode)” parameter in the Web interface in the “Wireless” settings section to “ 802.11n". This is what it looks like on Asus devices:
And this is how the 802.11n mode is set on TP-Link:
4. Transition to the 5 GHz band.
The 802.11n standard has one more, very significant advantage: more expensive models wireless routers They can also work in the 5GHz band (802.11a). If your Wi-Fi router is dual-band, that is, it can work both in the usual 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, then I would advise transferring the maximum number of clients to it:
The 5GHz range is now virtually completely free and not littered with frequency interference from neighboring access points and other devices (microwaves, phones with Bluetooth, etc.), which means it will provide the maximum coverage radius. But I repeat once again - WiFi adapters of connected devices (laptops, computers or tablets) must also be able to operate in the 5 GHz range.
5. We improve reception on a computer or laptop.
This advice is more relevant for users of laptops running Windows 7 and Windows 8. The thing is that they can be set to “Energy Saver” mode to save battery.
Moreover, some users set it when working from the power cable. This may result in poor Wi-Fi signal reception on your laptop due to the fact that wireless module“he is on a starvation diet” and does not have enough nutrition. In order to fix this, you need to go to the “Control Panel”, select the “Electrical Control” section and select the “Balanced” scheme, or better yet, “High Performance”.
We amplify the signal using additional hardware.
If your reception quality is poor and low speed even after you have configured your router to the maximum signal level - do not be upset, not everything is lost. There are a number of other actions that can be used. Their purpose is to improve or modernize your wireless equipment.
1. We change or modify the antennas.
There are many different ways on the Internet to boost the signal from your router’s standard antenna. Most advice boils down to turning an omnidirectional antenna into a directional antenna. And they do it as best they can. Some people make screens from beer cans:
Others are simply made of foil:
Out of curiosity I tried similar methods strengthen the signal and received practically no obvious and significant effect from this. But a really effective result can be achieved by replacing the antenna with a more powerful one. At the same time, the cost of an 8dBi antenna is somewhere around 300 rubles apiece. Agree - not expensive! As an option, you can buy an antenna with a stand and an extension cable. This will allow you to move the antenna around the room to search best place location without touching the router.
Note: This replacement will be effective if you are replacing a 2dBi or 3 dBi antenna with an 8 dBi antenna. From my own experience I will say that replacing 5dBi antennas with 8 dBi ones did not bring a significant effect. Perhaps in an open space the effect would have been noticeable, but in a city apartment I did not feel any real improvement in the level of reception on client devices.
It's another matter if your router has 3 antennas, like Zyxel Keenetic Ultra. In this case, the cost of antennas will be around 1000 rubles. It is more efficient to buy a repeater (repeater). Or an inexpensive router that can work in WDS mode. I would recommend the same solution to owners of devices with non-removable antennas or with internal antennas.
2. Installation of a repeater to increase the coverage area and improve the level of network signal reception.
This method is extremely effective and allows you to obtain acceptable coverage quality through the use of special repeater devices or, as they are also called, WiFi repeaters.
The point of this device is that it connects to the existing network as a client and further expands its coverage to the radius that its antennas can cover. Wi-Fi repeaters are small and inexpensive devices. As you can see from the picture above, the repeater is made the size of a small power supply that plugs into an outlet. Its settings are simple. The price in Russia is about 900-1000 rubles. If you order a device in China, its price will be about 600 rubles including shipping. There are devices on sale that perform only repeater functions, and there are routers that support WDS technology(Wireless Distribution System - allows you to expand the coverage area of your wireless network by combining several WiFi points access to one network without the necessary availability wired connection between them). An example of such a universal and inexpensive device is the Asus RT-N10:
The advantage of purchasing just such a device for use as a repeater is that it is universal device: You can connect it to existing network both via WiFi and cable. In addition, today you use it as a repeater, and tomorrow, perhaps, you will connect the Internet through it from another provider. To find out if he can specific model work in repeater mode - look at its characteristics on the manufacturer’s website, it must support WDS technology.
3. Upgrade the adapter on the computer.
You can also improve signal reception on the client device. True, this advice is more relevant for computers to which adapters are connected via USB or a PCI slot. For laptops, tablets and smartphones with an integrated adapter, this advice will not work, because Their antennas are non-removable and hidden in the housing. The point of the advice is that firstly: if you buy a wireless adapter, then it is better to take one that has a large external antenna. Pay attention to the photo:
I think it is clear that on the same standard at the same data transfer rate, the adapter on the right will have a better reception level than the adapter on the left, due to the use of a large external antenna. If you have already bought an adapter and it has a weak Wi-Fi signal reception level, then you can do the following: if you can replace the antenna, you can change it to one that has a gain of 5 or 8dBi. If you bought a small USB adapter (the so-called “whistle”), then in this case you can try connecting it not directly to the computer, but through a USB extension cable.
Using the extension cord, you can move the adapter around the room and select zones best regards signal. Keep in mind that maximum length The cable length will be no more than 3 meters. And yet, when moving the adapter along such a radius, you can find a point with more high level WiFi signal reception.
;