While WiFi dead spots can be very frustrating, there are a few ways to make WiFi problems disappear.
There is no need to have buffering, or a weak WiFi signal, as even simple things can help boost a signal.
WiFi dead spots in a home are a fixable problem with many fixes to help get a better wireless transmission.
How to Get Rid of WiFi Dead Spots
- Find the Problem Areas
- Reposition Your Router
- Change Your Router Channel
- Upgrade the Router
- Signal Booster or Extender
To begin this process, you will first want to analyze your WiFi network.
This can be done with virtually any Android, iOS, Windows, or OS X device. Simply download an app from the App or Play Store that analyzes WiFi connections.
One of the better applications out there is called WiFi Analyzer and can be downloaded on your Android device for free from the Google Play Store.
The app provides you with information on both the signal strength of your connection, as well as info on the frequency of other surrounding networks (something that can prove to be beneficial as dead spots often occur because of overlapping networks).
There are similar apps to be found on iOS, Windows, and OS X, but Android is your best bet here.
After you get your WiFi analyzing app downloaded, walk around your house and see how the signal fluctuates as you move between different rooms.
You can investigate every little nook and cranny or just focus on the areas where you most often use a WiFi-connected device.
When WiFi dead spots occur, it can be very tempting to immediately purchase a WiFi range extender or upgrade your router (more on those later), but there are steps you can take before this that won’t cost you a dime.
One of the most common causes of WiFi dead spots is due to the way your home is built; brick walls, multiple stories, and more all contribute to dead spots.
If your router is located in the basement and you’re trying to play online games on the second floor of your house, it is only natural for weak connections to occur.
While this may sound like an overly complicated hurdle to jump over, the simple act of moving your WiFi router can make a huge impact on the signal strength of your WiFi connection.
Placing your router in a central location or nearest to the room you most often use your devices is generally the best place to put it.
This may require a bit of trial and error to determine the absolute best location, but it will be worth it to remove those pesky weak connections.
Another solution that’s worth trying is to adjust what channel your router is using.
If you live in an urban setting, more than likely, there are other people around you who are using the exact same channel on their WiFi router that you have on yours.
When multiple routers are on the same channel, and numerous devices are streaming, downloading, and uploading at the same time, slow connections most always occur.
To change the WiFi channel that your router uses, you will need to access the settings of your router and make the change there. Just like with moving your router around the house, this can require some testing before you find the channel that’s right for you.
This generally doesn’t make quite as big of an impact as physically moving your router, but it is still worth the effort as it can have beneficial results.
If none of these initial tasks provide you with the results that you’re looking for then it may be time to shell out some cash to invest in better WiFi equipment.
What you will want to do first is check and see if your router is an older unit. If this is the case consider upgrading to 802.11ac or the newer 802.11ax WiFi-6 standard.
Check into routers with multiple large antennas that are suitable for larger homes. A router that is made for a single-story house or an apartment will have drastically worse results when used in a multiple-story house.
Another option is to purchase a WiFi repeater, bridge, or extender.
A Signal Booster can be placed strategically around a home at bad WiFi signal locations boosting the signal strength.
Strategically placing these devices throughout your house can produce great results and are common devices for problem spots.
I am not able to connect to my wifi with my android box