WiFi has become a fundamental part of everyday life in UK homes, powering everything from work and study to entertainment and staying in touch with loved ones. However, poor signal strength or slow speeds can often get in the way, leaving you stuck with frustrating dropouts or unreliable connections.
The reality is that improving your WiFi coverage doesn’t have to be difficult. By making a few simple adjustments and using the right tools, you can easily achieve a faster, more reliable connection throughout your home.
Optimise Router Placement
One of the easiest yet most effective ways to improve WiFi coverage is by optimising the placement of your router. Many people make the mistake of hiding it behind furniture or placing it in corners of the house. This significantly reduces its ability to send out a strong, wide-reaching signal. To get the best performance, place your router in a central location, elevated off the floor and free from obstacles like walls or metal objects. A more open, clear space allows the signal to spread more evenly throughout your home.
If possible, avoid putting your router near large appliances such as microwaves, fridges, or metal filing cabinets, which can interfere with the signal. By simply moving the router, you might notice a considerable improvement in WiFi coverage, particularly in rooms that were previously affected by weak signals.
Upgrade Your Router
Older routers might not be equipped to handle the increasing demands of modern homes. If your router is a few years old, it might not support the latest WiFi standards, which means slower speeds and poorer performance overall. Upgrading to a newer router can make a noticeable difference in your WiFi experience.
Look for a router that supports at least WiFi 5 (802.11ac) or even the newer WiFi 6 (802.11ax), which provide faster speeds, better efficiency, and less interference. In addition, modern routers often come with dual-band support, allowing you to use both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. The 2.4GHz band is typically better for longer distances, while the 5GHz band offers faster speeds but with a more limited range. By connecting devices to the most suitable band, you can ensure a better overall experience.
Consider Mesh WiFi Systems
If you live in a large house or have areas where the signal just won’t reach, a mesh WiFi system may be the ideal solution. Unlike traditional routers or WiFi extenders, mesh systems consist of multiple units that work together to create a seamless network throughout your home. The beauty of a mesh system is that it eliminates the need for separate extenders or additional configurations—it’s a smooth, unified network that provides consistent coverage.
A mesh WiFi system is perfect for homes with multiple floors or complex layouts, ensuring that no part of the house is left without a strong signal. While they can be more expensive than basic routers, they often provide superior performance and are a worthwhile investment for larger or challenging spaces.
Reduce WIFI Interference
WiFi signals are susceptible to interference from other devices, which can cause slow speeds or intermittent connectivity. Common culprits include microwaves, baby monitors, cordless phones, and thick walls. In more urban areas, interference from neighbouring networks can also play a role.
To avoid this, ensure that your router is placed away from potential sources of interference. On top of that, check if your router allows you to change the channel it broadcasts. By selecting a less congested channel, especially on the 2.4GHz band, you can reduce interference from other networks. Many modern routers will automatically select the best channel, but it’s worth manually checking if you’re still experiencing issues.
Use WiFi Extenders or Powerline Adapters
In some cases, despite your best efforts with router placement and settings, certain areas of your home may still struggle with weak signals. If this is the case, consider using WiFi extenders or powerline adapters. WiFi extenders rebroadcast the signal from your main router, extending its range to cover more areas in your home. They’re easy to set up and usually fairly affordable.
Alternatively, powerline adapters use your home’s electrical wiring to carry the internet signal from your router to areas that WiFi may struggle to reach. These are particularly effective in houses with thick walls, where WiFi signals tend to be blocked. Both options are relatively inexpensive ways to ensure every corner of your home stays connected.
Manage Device Load and Bandwidth
The number of devices connected to your network can also impact WiFi performance. With more smart devices, computers, phones, and entertainment systems in the home, the bandwidth can quickly become stretched. If multiple users are streaming video, playing online games, or working from home, your connection might slow down, especially if you have a high number of connected devices.
To manage bandwidth more effectively, look for routers that come with Quality of Service (QoS) features, which allow you to prioritise certain devices or activities over others. For instance, you can allocate more bandwidth to video calls or gaming while limiting streaming or downloads. This ensures a smoother experience for high-priority tasks without affecting other devices too much.
Switch to Wired Connections Where Possible
While WiFi is incredibly convenient, it’s not always the most reliable option, especially for bandwidth-heavy activities like gaming or working from home. If possible, consider running Ethernet cables to certain areas of the home, such as a home office or gaming room. A wired connection will always provide a more stable, faster, and interference-free connection than WiFi.
Ethernet connections are ideal for activities that demand high-speed internet, such as streaming in 4K, large file transfers, or online gaming. While setting up wired connections may not be practical for the entire house, it can make a big difference in key areas where stable Internet is essential.
Advancing Your WiFi Experience
Improving your WiFi coverage at home is about taking a few smart steps to optimise your network. From positioning your router correctly to upgrading your equipment and using additional devices like mesh systems or extenders, there are plenty of options available. And, by managing the number of connected devices and reducing interference, you can ensure your network runs smoothly.
As the demand for reliable home WiFi continues to grow, staying proactive with your setup will help keep your connection fast and stable, no matter where you are in the house.
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