Physical obstructions can decrease your WiFi’s range by 25 percent. Physical obstructions such as walls and separate floors are the worst places to hide your router. Further distance from the devices will also slow down the 5 GHz signal. In addition to physical obstructions, other devices that use the same frequency as WiFi can also cause distorting the signal. Regardless of how far the router is from the devices, there are some things you can do to increase its range.
High-gain antennas
High-gain WiFi antennas are designed to improve the range of the wireless broadcast, allowing you to enjoy a strong connection throughout the house and some outdoor areas. High-gain WiFi antennas are an excellent replacement for high-gain omnidirectional Wifi antennas and give you more precise control of the WiFi broadcast and increased throughput. You can purchase a high-gain WiFi antenna for as little as $15.
The most popular type of WiFi antenna is the omni-directional type. It can be used to extend the range of your 5GHz wifi signal, even further. This type of antenna works similarly to flashlights, but emits light only in a single direction. These are ideal for directional applications, like remote-controlled cars. They are also better at blocking obstacles and can cover more area in one direction.
2.4GHz devices
You can use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi for your everyday needs such as streaming videos and playing games. But it can only give you so much range and speed. If you live in a crowded apartment complex, switching to the 5Ghz band will give you a better connection and more speed. However, this change may not be possible in all circumstances. To increase the range of your 5Ghz wifi network, you need to get a device that supports the higher frequency.
The 2.4GHz band is overcrowded in many places. Broadband users have attempted to improve the performance of their connection by using devices with wider bandwidths and multiple Access Points. As a result, there is now a ‘Wi-Fi arms race’ going on, with devices vying for the same frequencies. This can cause an increase in interference between devices. However, if you have a device that supports 5GHz and a 2.4GHz device, you can just increase the range of the 5GHz device.
Router placement
In order to maximize the range of your wireless connection, you need to place your router in the center of your home. You can place it in the central part of the first floor, but the best places to place your router are high above the ground or on the second floor. Avoid placing it in the attic or basement, as these places will absorb the signal. To improve the range of your WiFi connection, you can place your router at different angles on the ceiling.
Using a high-powered wireless router can greatly extend the range of your wireless connection. It can cover a wide area, but it is still limited by walls. You can use a mesh network or a wireless extender to make up for these limitations. To increase the range of your 5GHz WiFi connection, consider placing the router on top of a high floor. This can help improve your WiFi range by up to 30%.
Wireless interference
Wireless interference can reduce the range of your network. If you have thick walls, you may find that your signal is significantly affected by the walls. In Victorian homes, chicken wire is often used to attach plaster to walls. The gaps are exactly the right size to block 2.4GHz range waves. To avoid this interference, unplug all electronic devices and try to move them in a different location. If the problem persists, try changing your WiFi channel on your wireless devices.
To prevent your client device from getting affected by wireless interference, choose channels with a lower capacity. For example, if your network contains only a single AP, 40MHz channel width is better. If there are many APs, choose channels with 20MHz channel width. This will allow your network to operate at lower peak throughput and provide a better performance. The worst case scenario is that your clients may encounter problems connected to the same channel as other wireless networks.
