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

rare · 22 Apr 2012

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

***

F5ing · 23 Apr 2012

Couple of software tools that may help:

Wi-Fi Inspector | Xirrus

inSSIDer – Discover the Wi-Fi Networks Around You | MetaGeek

karlsnooks · 23 Apr 2012

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

chev65 · 23 Apr 2012

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.

ibshaw · 23 Apr 2012

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.

Barman58 · 23 Apr 2012

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

rare · 23 Apr 2012

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!

kegobeer · 23 Apr 2012

You change the channel in the router config pages. You can choose any channel from 1 to 11.

karlsnooks · 23 Apr 2012

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.

rare · 23 Apr 2012

Thank you guys, I will tell the results as soon as I am able to do this