Check the band and the channel
You are connected to the WiFi network with your smartphone from your room and notice that you have much less coverage than in other areas of the house. Why does this happen and how can you fix it?
The strength of your WiFi network signal can vary from one area to another depending on where and how you have placed the router. Here we give you some tips to improve the WiFi signal in your home.
Which WiFi band should I use?
If you have already placed the router in the most suitable place in your home to ensure that the signal reaches all rooms with good quality, let's talk about the available WiFi bands.
If you have a dual-band router, it is useful to know when to connect your devices to one band or the other. We find two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Each of these two bands has different characteristics, so they are also aimed at different uses.
Regarding the 2.4 GHz band, it usually has more interference and fewer channels, so all devices compete for very little space. Although it has a lower maximum connection speed, its coverage can reach farther.
On the other hand, the 5 GHz band has less interference because it is used less and, consequently, is faster. In short, it has more channels among which devices can be distributed and a higher maximum connection speed. Its weak point lies in coverage. Since this band has more trouble passing obstacles like walls, its coverage is usually smaller.
If your router is an old model, you won’t have to think much about which band to use, since you will only have the 2.4 GHz band. On the other hand, if you have the option to choose, the 5 GHz band could be the best choice to connect devices that are close to the router or those where speed is more important than coverage, such as game consoles, PCs… If the main device connected to WiFi is a smartphone or a tablet, the 2.4 GHz band might be more suitable.
Look for the least crowded channel
Another tip we offer here is to always look for the least crowded channels. You can do this from your router’s administration page. Access it and select the option Control Channel. Here you can choose one of the 13 channels on which your router can operate. Even if it is set to automatically choose the least crowded channel, don’t trust it completely, sometimes it can be wrong.
In the same building, there may be several routers operating on the same channel and their signals may be interfering with yours, reducing range. We suggest installing on your phone free apps, such as Wifi Analyzer for Android, which analyze the state of the channels around you and can not only tell you which channel you are on but also which one is recommended for you at that moment.
If you have already tried all this and the WiFi signal is still weak in some areas of your home, try using PLC. These devices carry your router’s signal to any area where there are power outlets and create a new WiFi point there for you to connect to.
You will surely notice how the WiFi signal has improved and now you can make the most of your network from any point in your home without worrying about the coverage your mobile device receives.
