How to Increase Wireless Network Signal

→ What to consider in wireless networking ←

First consider how many wireless or high voltage devices you have in and around the house, as well as where they are located.

Second consider where your highest signal usage is and relocate the antennas so that they are pointed in that direction. After all the signal is the strongest at the tip of the antennas. If you have high voltage devices between your router and your wireless card or USB stick, then you may have problems with interference.

→ Wireless networking drawbacks ←

Wireless signals will pick up electromagnetic frequencies as they travel, so for instance pointing your antennas right through your refrigerator motor, isn't going to help your signal as much as you might like.

Ovens and ranges also interfere with your wireless signal, and wireless phones which operate on the same frequency will tangle the signal in air. A good way to test your true signal strength. Not speed but strength, is to ping your router which will most likely be on the 192.168.x.x ip range.

→ Wireless networking configurations ←

Typically routers will default to 1 - 10 on this range, and you can configure your router simply by opening a browser and typing in the IP address of the router. Many routers will require you to enter your password before you can modify the settings.

To ping your wireless router simply click on "Start" "Run" then type in "CMD" and hit enter. This will bring up a command prompt, inside the prompt type "Ping 192.168.x.x". To find your routers IP address, simply open the CMD prompt as per the instructions above, and type in "Ipconfig". The gateway IP address will be the routers IP. If you have more then 5% packet loss your signal is really bad, and you will most likely experience massive lags in MMOs, when watching videos, or streaming music.

→ Wireless networking dropouts ←

If you are experiencing Wireless drop outs and large amounts of packet losses, then you may want to move your wireless router to another location, where there is less interference. Televisions, radios, wireless phones, ranges, ovens, refrigerators, and thick solid walls can all obstruct your signal, so take these things into mind when you are considering where to place your router.

→ Bad wireless routers ←

If you can move your router right next to your computer and you still don't get a signal, it might be time to replace your wireless router. Keep in mind that when you get a new router, you will want one that is capable of fulfilling your needs. So if you need a strong signal, make sure that the new router will produce it. If you have a lot of hardwired devices, make sure the new wireless router has enough ports, and if you need a reliable connection, make sure both your router and the wireless devices you plan to use are capable of sending, and receiving the latest wireless broadcasts.

→ Wireless networking RTS threshold and RTS packet size ←

Not all computer software has this, but there is another way around large packet losses. This method is not as clean as the other methods, but it might get the job done. It's called RTS threshold, this option basically lets you change your packet sizes and if you are losing packets, reducing the size of each packet can sometimes alleviate the problem. By having less data in each packet a few lost packets isn't such a big loss and the packets can be more quickly replaced.

→ Wireless networking channels ←

Wireless routers and wireless devices can operate on a number of different channels. Phones, iPods, and other devices operating all on the same channel may cause interference, so changing your channel may be an option to look at. However, most routers and wireless devices will choose the best channel by default. By gauging the levels of interference on each channel, then choosing the channel with the least interference, wireless routers often will not have this issue.

→ Wireless networking repeaters ←

There are devices not that unlike routers which will simply tether to your existing wireless network, and repeat that wireless signal from their current location. These can be an option if you are trying to network over great distances. While this isn't likely to be an issue in home purpose wireless networking, corporate networking may demand it. If the facilities are very large and operate on a single network provision repeaters may be necessary.

→ Conclusion ←

Wireless networking is a fickle thing, and getting the best performance out of your network will rely heavily upon the router you chose to represent that network, the devices in your household, and the placement of your wireless router.

These considerations should be taken before you ever begin to setup your wireless network. If you use devices on opossite sides of the house frequently, you should purchase a router with more then one antenna, that way you can have a strong reliable signal sent in each direction.

There is a lot of planning that can be done before you ever buy your wireless router, but if your reading this you probably already bought it, and you may end up purchasing more then you planned, due to your wireless routers weaknesses. Perhaps it would be cheaper to shop for a new wireless router?