My WiFi signal is very weak, how can I fix this?

rare

rare

New member
Hello fellow windows 7 users,

I hope you don't mind helping me with an issue I have been having.

Let me explain my situation. A couple years ago, my dad bought a wireless router. For some reason, the signal on it was very weak. We tried tweaking the settings, but no results were produced. We then proceeded to buy another router, in case the one we had was a lemon, it wasn't. Same results from this one too. Then, when we made the switch from TWC to AT&T, we acquired yet another router, which is the one we currently have. We hoped that it was our service provider that was giving us the weak signal, but with AT&T it is exactly the same. We are stumped as to why this is so.

We live in a one story house, and by the time I get to my garage, where I have my brand new Xbox setup, I either get 1 or 0 bars. So it is impossible for me to use the live points I just paid $50 for.

Our router is in a cabinet, but I assume that doesn't make too much of a difference because so is our neighbors, and I get a full 3 bars from their wifi IN MY HOUSE.

So anyways, I would greatly appreciate any input any of you may have as to why we are unable to get a solid strong wifi signal. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

***PS: I am going to go to sleep now as it is rather late, but I am going to check this thread after I get back from school tomorrow, or before school if I have the time. Sorry :(***
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion a6826f Desktop
OS
64bit
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Hard Drives
750gb
I also use inSSider.

You may find that something so trivial as rotating your computer 90 degrees will give you a stronger signal.

Experiment with various positions of router, router antenna, and your computer. While doing this check the signal strength shown by inSSider.

In my house, for reasons that I don't understand, my bedroom receives a weak signal from my ISP but in the dining area, the signal is quite good.

karl
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite S875D-S7239 laptop
OS
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
CPU
AMD A10-4600M
Motherboard
AMD Pumori (Socket FT1)
Memory
6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-12-28)
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor (1600x900@60Hz)
Screen Resolution
1600x900@60Hz
Hard Drives
SSD 119GB Corsair CSSD-V128GB2 ATA Device
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
HP Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse Model FHA-3410
Internet Speed
What the local pub, local coffee shop offers.
Other Info
Optical Drive:MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ160B ATA Device


Also have an Asus ha1002xp netbook with Win 7 Ultimate installed.
After about three walls WIFI signal strength will not be good at all. This greatly depends on the type of walls and other structures between you and the router. Cement walls or a cement chimney will cut a signal right off in fact. Putting the WIFI router in a cabinet isn't helping, it should be mounted out in the open if possible.

WIFI isn't magic and there is no special signal strength button you can push. If you want a better signal you will need to spend some money on a wireless access point and some Ethernet cable. Moving things around will help but only to a certain extent. Installing a wireless access point in an optimal location is the best way to do this.

A wireless access point is like a wired switch with WIFI access, you need to run an Ethernet cable from the router or a switch up to where you intend to mount the access point.

I had a similar problem with a weak signal going out to my garage from inside the house. This was to be expected after going through 3 walls and across the yard. I needed a solid signal because I wanted to be able to stream movies out to the garage. You can't do that reliably with a weak signal.

I use a D-Link DAP-1522 "highly recommended" access point which is installed under the eves of my house which allows for a straight shot to the garage with no walls in the way. I then extended my USB wireless adaptor from my garage PC with a USB extension cord out to a point where it gets a good signal from the access point. I mounted it right up under the eves of the garage so it's out of the rain and has a straight shot to the access point which is only 15 feet away.

With the wireless network set up like this using the "Wireless N only" setting plus WPA2 and AES encryption I get 300Mpbs wireless speeds. I believe with a three antenna PCI wireless adaptor you can get up too 450Mbps.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
CPU
Q9650-4.275GHz, E8600 4.5GHz, E6750-3.8GHz
Motherboard
Evga 780i FTW
Memory
G.Skill PC2 9600 1200Mhz 5 5 5 15 2T
Graphics Card(s)
GTX480
Sound Card
Asus Xonar D2
Monitor(s) Displays
HannsG
Screen Resolution
1680X1050
Hard Drives
GSkill Phoenix Pro 120GB SSD
PSU
ThermalTake Toughpower 1000Watt modular
Case
ThermalTake XaserV
Cooling
Xigmatek S1283
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech G9
Internet Speed
T1
Sometimes just experimenting with what channel you are on can make a big difference especially if you are in a busy neighbourhood - most routers default to channel 6 or 11 so try another one. The SSIDer software mentioned earlier should show you what channels are being used nearby.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Desktop Slimline
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
Athlon
Memory
3GB
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated
Monitor(s) Displays
HP 20" LCD
Hard Drives
500GB
Internet Speed
Slow
As you have access to a number of routers, setting up access points would probably be the best solution.

This involves setting the one router as now and any others in slave mode, Connect the Routers with Ethernet.
Set-up the primary router to supply IP via DHCP.
Set up the wireless on different channels on each router.
switch off DHCP on slave units.
set manual IP on the slave units (outside DHCP scope.
Set the SSID and Password to be the same on all routers used
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
Thank you guys so much! After reading all of your suggestions, I think I have a plan. I am going to try moving the router to an office in the middle of the house, on a desk. It will be in the open, not in a cabinet. Also, I plan to download "inSSider", as suggested. I just have one question about that though. Is there an option on the software that lets me change the channel, or is it somewhere on the actual router?
Oh, also, is there a channel besides 6 or 11 that you recommend?

Also @Barman, I love your idea, but unfortunately we no longer have the old routers.

Thank you again! :D
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion a6826f Desktop
OS
64bit
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Hard Drives
750gb
You change the channel in the router config pages. You can choose any channel from 1 to 11.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 15 L502x
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
CPU
Core i7-2670QM
Memory
8GB DDR3 PC3-10600
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics 3000 + GeForce GT 540M
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
1TB 5400RPM Seagate
rare,
Do let us know the end-result.
InSSider only gathers and presents info.

With inSSider you will be able to determine if there is a neighboring signal on the same channel that you were using that is "overpowering" your own router.

I use inSSider when I'm inside a coffee house or other wifi hotspot, and if needed change my own "hotspot" (my android) to another channel if needed.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Toshiba Satellite S875D-S7239 laptop
OS
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
CPU
AMD A10-4600M
Motherboard
AMD Pumori (Socket FT1)
Memory
6.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-12-28)
Graphics Card(s)
AMD Radeon HD 7660G
Sound Card
High Definition Audio Device
Monitor(s) Displays
Generic PnP Monitor (1600x900@60Hz)
Screen Resolution
1600x900@60Hz
Hard Drives
SSD 119GB Corsair CSSD-V128GB2 ATA Device
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
HP Wireless Optical Mobile Mouse Model FHA-3410
Internet Speed
What the local pub, local coffee shop offers.
Other Info
Optical Drive:MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ160B ATA Device


Also have an Asus ha1002xp netbook with Win 7 Ultimate installed.
Thank you guys, I will tell the results as soon as I am able to do this ;)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavilion a6826f Desktop
OS
64bit
Graphics Card(s)
Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100
Hard Drives
750gb
Moving the router to a better location as I mentioned earlier is the cheapest way to fix this problem but if your still not getting a good enough signal then using a dedicated wireless access point "not a secondary router" is the best way to go here.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home built
OS
Windows 7 Ult, Windows 8.1 Pro,
CPU
Q9650-4.275GHz, E8600 4.5GHz, E6750-3.8GHz
Motherboard
Evga 780i FTW
Memory
G.Skill PC2 9600 1200Mhz 5 5 5 15 2T
Graphics Card(s)
GTX480
Sound Card
Asus Xonar D2
Monitor(s) Displays
HannsG
Screen Resolution
1680X1050
Hard Drives
GSkill Phoenix Pro 120GB SSD
PSU
ThermalTake Toughpower 1000Watt modular
Case
ThermalTake XaserV
Cooling
Xigmatek S1283
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Logitech G9
Internet Speed
T1
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