Have you ever heard of Vic Hayes? How about the IEEE 802.11? 

Vic Hayes is said to be the father of WiFi. He was the one who designed the IEEE 802.11. It’s a set of protocols defining wireless local area networks (WLANs). Today, the said protocol is marketed to consumers as WiFi. Having a WiFi connection is freedom. It unleashed us from being connected to telephone cords. It gives us the ability to be virtually anywhere. 

Yet, there are times when WiFi gives us some headache. It’s either there are dead spots or the signal fluctuates. Dead spots mean that we cannot get a signal because the wireless connection cannot reach an area. While fluctuating signals are often the results of poor connection, which is oftentimes related to choosing from poor internet plans and WiFi deals. As such, here are tips to boost your router’s signal.

How Does a WiFi Router Works?

First, we need to understand how our wireless router works. A WiFi router connects incoming internet signals from an internet provider and transmits the signal to a range of internet-connected home devices. These home devices include PCs, printers, smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, thermostats, and more. Your WiFi router and these home devices are all connected through your home network. The WiFi router controls the incoming and outgoing internet traffic within your home network in the most efficient and fastest way. Connecting more devices in your WiFi router means giving more workload to it. 

Many factors are affecting the performance of a WiFi router. These are:

• Physical distance. Being too far from a WiFi router weakens the internet signal.
• Physical obstructions. Very thick walls prevent the transmission of internet signals from a WiFi router.
• Signal Interferences. Devices that transmit radio waves can interfere with the signal transmission of a WiFi router.
• WiFi Router Capacity. Wireless routers have limitations. Not all are equally powerful. An internet signal may weaken when so many devices are connected to the WiFi router. Like a car race, each device will push its way to go first.
• WiFi Router Connection Strength. The connection strength of a WiFi router depends on the WiFi deals your home is subscribed to. This limits the WiFi router’s ability to provide a faster signal as it depends on your internet plan’s bandwidth.

Tips to Boost Your WiFi’s Router Signal

After understanding how a WiFi router works and the factors that affect its performance, here are some tips to boost your WiFi router’s signal.

Encrypt your WiFi Router’s Password

A WiFi router commonly comes with a default password. Since the number of connected devices affects the signal of your WiFi router, you have to change its default password and encrypt it. Encrypting your WiFi password protects your home network from unauthorised connections. 

Position your WiFi Router Strategically at Home

Positioning your router in the centre of your home can boost your WiFi router’s signal in both corners. Avoid placing your router near glasses, metal objects, and other home appliances. Glass and metal are top disruptors of WiFi signals because their physical properties don’t allow radio waves to pass on. Home appliances emit electromagnetic waves and interfere with the transmission of WiFi signals. The biggest electromagnetic waves emitters are dishwashers, microwaves, and stoves. Your WiFi router’s signal can also be affected by cordless phones, dryers, heaters, TVs, and washers. Elevating your WiFi router can also boost its signal. If you have a second floor, place your WiFi router near the ceiling of your first floor. 

Reboot your WiFi Router from Time to Time

Generally speaking, it is recommended to reboot your WiFi router every couple of months. Rebooting is a good WiFi router maintenance security practice. It fixes connectivity issues from no internet to slow internet signals. Like any other device, rebooting means allowing your WiFi router to rest and refresh.

Switch your WiFi Router to a Different Channel

Like highway lanes, there are multiple channels where you can connect your WiFi router. To change the channel setting of your WiFi router, go to the connection gateway and choose the channel selection. Edit the WiFi channel by choosing either 2.4 or 5 GHz. 2.4 GHz sends slower internet speed but longer data range, while 5 GHz offers to send faster internet speed at a shorter data range.