How to improve your WiFi signal and coverage

Is your internet fast when you're near your modem, but weak or slow in your bedroom or the kitchen? This is usually a WiFi signal issue, not an internet speed issue.

Your WiFi signal is a radio wave, and it can be blocked or weakened by distance and obstacles. Here’s how to get the best signal possible.

1. The Golden Rule: Location, Location, Location

The single most important factor is your modem's (or router's) location.

• DO: Place your modem in a central, open-air location in your home. An entertainment center or a high shelf in your living room is ideal.
• DO NOT: Do not hide your modem. Avoid placing it:
  • In a cabinet, closet, or basement.
  • On the floor or behind your TV.
  • Near large metal objects (like a refrigerator).
  • Near other electronics (like microwave ovens or cordless phones).

2. Check for Interference

Your WiFi signal shares the airwaves with many other devices.

• Physical Barriers: The worst offenders for blocking WiFi are concrete walls, brick, tile, and mirrors. The more walls the signal has to pass through, the weaker it gets.
• Competing Networks: If you live in an apartment, your neighbors' WiFi networks can interfere with yours. (Restarting your modem can sometimes help it find a less crowded channel).

3. "Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?"

A simple reboot cleans out old data and can significantly improve performance.

1. Unplug the power from your modem/router.
2. Wait 60 seconds.
3. Plug it back in.
4. Wait 3-5 minutes for it to fully restart before testing your connection.

4. Consider a WiFi Extender or Mesh System

If your home is very large, has multiple floors, or has concrete walls, a single router may not be enough to cover every corner.

If you have tried all the steps above and still have "dead zones," you may need a WiFi Extender or a Mesh WiFi System to boost the signal into those hard-to-reach areas.