How to improve Wi-Fi signal in the apartment

Note. We recommend paying attention to models that are adapted for two mounting options, as well as have two radio modules, such as the NWA1123-AC PRO.

Testing Wi-Fi amplifiers and seamless roaming for apartments

There are at least two types of people: some are ready to put up with wires all over the apartment, while others can't stand them and try their best to get rid of them. However, sometimes you just can't afford to pull another cable along the baseboard or under it – you have to find new ways for the Internet gigabytes.

Recently Onliner has studied the issue of improving the Internet in the countryside, where the towers are squeezing the traffic of all holidaymakers and those who live in nature. Now we decided to look at what are the ways to improve Wi-Fi in the apartment.

In fact the most practical way is to try Do not skimp on equipment. It is not the best option to use carrier routers. As a rule, these are cheap devices that provide a service, but no more than that. This is normal practice, and no one will give out thousands of "kinetics" to users with a relatively small ARPU.

As a consequence, not everyone is happy with the routers provided, but also not everyone is willing to spend their own money to buy a "normal" device.

And what is the problem?

The main one is clogged up the airwaves in the 2.4 GHz band. Here the world is ruled by points issued by Beltelecom to all consumers with a home phone. Whether they use Wi-Fi or not, the wireless module is active and adds to the interference (you probably have to provide communication as part of one of your own services, but it all looks "not ace"). Plus the other operators with numerous routers of popular brands.

Note that this problem is especially characteristic of the city. Somewhere far away from the "people's houses" 2.4 GHz will do.

The second nuance mentioned above: operators issue cheap access points with inexpensive components (and single-band – only with 2.4 GHz). As a result, getting your megabits is doubly difficult.

Additional antenna, repeater, or point-to-point transmission?

There are several ways to improve network performance. Accordingly, there are several varieties of equipment to help do this.

Auxiliary Antenna

Additional external antennas are used to boost the signal of access points. Sometimes an amplifier is included in addition to the antenna itself. Such devices are often externally powered, such as from a wall outlet.

The main merit of the antenna is that it simply increases the signal strength.

This approach is good when there is a vast space with a small number of customers. For example, an industrial warehouse. By placing the antenna from one single point under the ceiling in the center of the room, you can make the entire area available to several storekeepers and visitors in the warehouse.

If you put two such powerful radiators side by side, instead of helping each other, they will interfere with each other.

Keep in mind that no matter how powerful the antenna is, the number of clients that can be connected will be limited by the internal resources of a single access point.

For a busy office "anthill" when most customers are close to each other, to build a network based on a single access point, even with the most powerful antenna is not a good idea. More power is not as much in demand here, much more useful will be load balancing between multiple points, the ability to accept a greater number of simultaneous requests from customers or to block unwanted access.

So we leave the access point with the external antenna in its place – proudly alone under the roof of the warehouse and move on to another point in our description.

Using repeaters

A repeater is a device that receives the signal from an access point and forwards it to the client, or vice versa.

This allows you to extend your wireless network coverage. Clients can easily connect to a repeater in rooms where the signal begins to weaken.

To summarize

There is no "one-size-fits-all" methodology, but following some recommendations allows you to avoid many problems when designing, deploying and maintaining a Wi-Fi network.

You should not place the transmitting devices too close to each other.

In some cases, it is better to use access points for placement on the ceiling, in others – on the wall. Consideration must be given to the directivity diagram for each option. There are universal access points with the ability to switch the mode of use.

In the next article in this series, we'll talk in more detail about wireless equipment placement issues.

Questions about equipment selection, setup and configuration advice, and sharing your opinions? We invite you to our telegram.

About the benefit of moderation in all things

As mentioned above, reducing power isn't always a bad thing. Not only that, but when you increase the power the quality of reception can deteriorate significantly and it's not about the "weakness" of the access point at all. Below we will consider in which cases it can be useful.

Radio traffic load

The effect of congestion can be seen firsthand, at the time of selecting a device to connect. If the list of selected Wi-Fi networks contains more than three or four items, we can already talk about overloading the radio air. At the same time, each network is a source of interference for its neighbors. And interference affects network performance because it dramatically increases the noise level and this leads to the need to continually retransmit packets. In this case, the main recommendation is to lower the transmitter power in the access point, ideally by getting all the neighbors to do the same, so as not to interfere with each other.

The situation resembles a school class, when the teacher is absent. Each student starts talking to his or her roommate and other classmates. In the general noise, they can't hear each other very well and start talking louder, then even louder, and finally they start shouting. The teacher quickly rushes to the classroom, takes some disciplinary measures and the normal situation is restored. If we think of the teacher as a network administrator and the students as an access point owner, we get an almost direct analogy.

Asymmetric connection

As mentioned earlier, the AP's transmitter power is usually 2-3 times stronger than the client's mobile devices: tablets, smartphones, laptops, and so on. Therefore, it is very likely that there will be "gray areas" where the client will receive from the access point a good stable signal, but the transmission from the client to the point will work "not very". This connection is called asymmetric.

To maintain a stable connection with good quality is highly desirable that between the client device and the access point was a symmetrical connection, when the reception and transmission in both directions work effectively enough.

When higher power is required

The factors listed below require increased power in order to maintain a stable connection.

Interference from other types of radio communication devices and other electronics

Bluetooth devices, such as headphones, wireless keyboards, and mice, that operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and interfere with access points and other Wi-Fi devices.

The devices listed below can also have a negative impact on signal quality:

• microwave microwave ovens;
• baby monitors;
• CRT monitors, wireless speakers, cordless phones, and other wireless devices;
• External sources of electrical voltage, such as power lines and power substations,
• electric motors;
• Cables with insufficient shielding, and coaxial cable and connectors used with some types of satellite dishes.

Long distances between Wi-Fi devices

All radio devices have a limited range. In addition to the design features of the wireless device, the maximum range can be reduced by external factors such as obstacles, radio interference, and so on.

All this leads to the formation of local "out-of-reach zones", where the signal from the access point "does not reach" the client device.

Obstacles in the signal path

Various obstacles (walls, ceilings, furniture, metal doors, etc.) located between Wi-Fi devices can reflect or absorb radio signals, which leads to a deterioration or complete loss of communication.

Things as simple and straightforward as reinforced concrete walls, sheet metal coverings, steel framing, and even mirrors and tinted glass noticeably reduce signal intensity.

Interesting factThe human body attenuates the signal by about 3 dB.

Below is a table showing the loss of Wi-Fi signal efficiency when passing through different environments for the 2.4 GHz network.

Change Frequency

There are two Wi-Fi standards: 2.4 and 5 GHz. The second transmits data faster, but the first "beats" farther and overcomes obstacles better. Routers often support both frequencies, but not always. Check the frequency of the Wi-Fi network. On the back of the router, there is always an indication of what frequency it works on. If the router supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz, both bands are listed.

The label may look different or be in a different location, as long as it has the right information on it

Or look for the model name on the case or on the box, and search the manufacturer's official website for information – the description or specifications should mention the supported frequencies.

Routers that can use both frequencies default to two networks, 2.4GHz and 5GHz. If you connect to a network with 5G in the name, the speed will be faster. But keep in mind that the signal on this network is less long-range and may not reach the farthest rooms.

Also look at the specifications of your smartphones and laptops, they should be able to receive a 5 GHz Wi-Fi signal. The router supports 5 GHz, but the smartphone or laptop does not find Wi-Fi in this range. So, you need to check the network settings. To do this, find the network address of the router on the label or in the manual and enter it in the browser bar. Some routers can also be set up via a mobile app – search the manual or the manufacturer's official website to see if there is an app for your model. For example, on TP-Link routers you can enter the router settings after connecting to it via Wi-Fi or wired by going to http://tplinkwifi.net . The login and password are on the label.

Choose a less congested Wi-Fi channel

Each band, 2.4 or 5 GHz, has a certain number of channels – this is to ensure that the signals of neighboring routers overlap less and don't interfere with each other. By default, the router selects the channel automatically, but it is not always the freest.

The easiest way to check the channel is to use a special application for your smartphone, but this is only available for Android. If you have an iPhone, you can check the network load using a MacBook or Windows laptop.

Using the Android app

Download the free WiFi Analyzer app from Google Play. Once launched, the app will automatically analyze your apartment's channel load level and show you the settings at which your neighbors' routers are operating. We will tell you how to change the settings below.

In the left screenshot, you can see that neighbors most often use the 2.4 GHz frequency. On the right screenshot, the app shows the busiest channels (2, 3, 6, 7, 8, and 9) and suggests better options, such as channel 12 or 13

Using a laptop or computer with Wi-Fi

To analyze your apartment's wireless load, you can use NetSpot, which works with macOS 10.10 and up, and Windows 7 and up.

Go to the official NetSpot website and scroll down to the NetSpot Free Edition (free version). To the right of this caption, click on the "Download Now" button.

Install and run the program. What you do next depends on the operating system in your laptop.

For macOS. After installing the program, click on the apple button in the upper left corner of the screen and select "System Preferences." In the menu, open "Protection and Security" and click on the lock icon in the lower left corner – enter your password or put your finger on the fingerprint scanner if your MacBook has Touch ID.

Moving to 5 GHz.

Moving virtually, of course. The 5 GHz band is a more respectable part of the radio spectrum, with more channels and a wider range. Older models and very cheap routers usually do not work in it. This is largely why there is less noise in the 5 GHz band and transmission speeds can be much higher.

If your router doesn't support 5 GHz, you can try upgrading to something more modern with 802.11ac (aka Wi-Fi 5) support – it's no longer a luxury, with inexpensive models starting at $50.

You don't have to chase the more advanced 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6). It's still expensive, and you'll probably only feel the difference if you really have a lot of voracious Wi-Fi devices at home.

Just keep in mind that moving to 5 GHz is not a panacea. The higher frequency has a disadvantage: the 5GHz signal fades faster with distance, and the range in multi-room areas is so-so.

So it all depends on what the problem is with your Wi-Fi network. If your home's 2.4 GHz spectrum is clogged with other people's networks and the 5 GHz spectrum is free, an upgrade will really help. But if the point is that your 2.4 GHz network is not getting to the right point in your home due to the distance and the abundance of reinforced concrete walls, then most likely the 5 GHz will not save you all the more.

Laying the wires

We're so used to the convenience of Wi-Fi that we sometimes forget about the good old Ethernet wire. Meanwhile the twisted pair connection is often the easiest and cheapest solution to seemingly hopeless wireless problems.

There are two main ideas: firstly, it can help to solve the problem with the room that Wi-Fi completely refuses to reach normally. Secondly, if we can get at least some of the devices to work with wires, then the quality of the wireless connection with the rest of the devices will most likely improve. Of course, you can't connect your smartphone or tablet in this way, but you can connect your computer with torrents and smart TV with endless video streaming.

If the wires stretched through the apartment are annoying and there is no place to hide them, you can try PowerLine adapters, which transmit the network signal through the electrical wiring inside the house. But you should keep in mind that PowerLine is an unpredictable thing and sometimes categorically refuses to be friendly with local cables. So it is better to buy PowerLine adapters with a possibility of return in case they do not work for you.

How to speed up your home Wi-Fi

Before you buy a more expensive rate from your provider or a new, faster WiFi router, there are a number of steps you can take to improve the performance of your existing wireless network. It is quite possible that you will be satisfied with the result and postpone the upgrade to a better time.

Location of the router

The first thing to pay attention to is the location of the router. It should be located closer to the center of the apartment/home and be a little closer to the ceiling than to the floor if possible; an open bookshelf would be a good option – so the signal will spread better around the room. There should be no foreign objects near the router, and the ceiling, floor and walls should be in its direct line of sight, so that the signal is unobstructed by them.

If there is no possibility to install the router in the optimal place, at least make sure that there are no household appliances or other electronics near the device, whether it is a refrigerator, microwave oven, TV, game console, audio system, baby monitor, etc.

The Right Range

The second tip is to check what range your devices are connected to. Most more or less modern WiFi routers can operate in two bands – 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The second is traditionally less "littered" by neighboring wireless networks, as well as providing higher bandwidth. Therefore, smartphones, PCs and laptops should be connected exactly to the 5 GHz band. But various "smart" lights, sensors, alarm systems and other undemanding to Internet speed devices is better to leave on the band 2.4 GHz.

Eliminate Dead Zones

If the signal from a WiFi router can't reach the farthest room in your apartment, it doesn't mean you have to replace the device. It's quite possible that you have some old router lying around. There are many uses for it, and extending your existing network coverage is one of them. An alternative option is to buy a relatively inexpensive WiFi-repeater, their price starts from 800 rubles.

How to speed up your home Wi-Fi? Simple tips

In today's world, it is difficult to imagine life without the Internet. Most people read the news, watch movies or play games online, of course. But often there can be problems with the home Internet – the signal fails, or disappears altogether. It is especially unpleasant when it happens at the most inappropriate moment – during work or study, for example. Today I am going to share with you some very simple tips on how to improve internet connection speeds at home.

I think many people know that a router is a radio transmitter for which a direct signal is important. More specifically, for your device to work better, it is best to place the router as close as possible to the necessary equipment (such as a smart TV, or a laptop). Also, it is worth considering that walls, cabinets, and sometimes even shelves, can weaken the Internet signal. So try to install your router in as open a place as possible without any possible obstacles.

In order to improve the signal in a two-story house, you can try to put the Wi-Fi router as high as possible.

Also, do not place the router somewhere in the corner of the house, so to speak "on the edge". Then the signal will be transmitted not only to the house or apartment, but also to the street, or to the neighbors, respectively, the far side of your home will be "deprived" of good Internet.

It is worth knowing that the Wi-Fi signal is divided into channels. Different routers will use one channel to communicate with gadgets. The choice of channel can also affect the speed of your Internet, especially if many devices are connected to Wi-Fi.

Here it is very simple – you can reconnect to another channel to solve the problem. I will not describe here how to do this, because depending on the router the algorithm may vary. So look for the necessary hints in the manual of your particular router, or look for information on the Internet (if you have it at the time, of course).

Complain about a comment

In any case, the router should be located as high as possible, ideally under the ceiling. Once I stayed at a friend's house in an old building in St. Petersburg, two-room apartment type "comb", the far room, where I and the living room, where the router, at different ends of the apartment, between me and the router two brick partitions. I had practically no signal, started sorting things out, found the router in a pile of wires behind the computer table by the outside wall. Threw it on the cabinet and immediately got a great signal throughout the apartment. And originally thanks to the wooden floors the signal from the lower communal neighbors was clearly better than the owners :).
In my apartment, due to the peculiarities of the layout (L-shaped), I had to put an additional access point around the corner of the corridor, for which at the stage of repair were provided by sockets under the ceiling, for reliability of a point connected to the router via cable, as the need for an access point was evident from the layout. In general, when arranging the electrical from scratch, you must immediately plan the location of access points.
And it is also desirable to get a router for 5 GHz, the 2.4 GHz band in the MFD has long been overloaded. Right now I have five 2.4 and my only 5Ghz access points in my neighborhood, but now the carrier routers are also starting to get 802.11ac, so it won't be long before there's a lot of traffic there as well. My house has a very low population density, 4-5 apartments per floor, I can imagine what a crowd in the "home Internet" in the houses with a lot of small-sized apartments and therefore a higher population density.

To get a very strong signal will only help buy a router exclusively for the Chinese market Huawei ax3 pro or Xiaomi ah3000 on Ali. The routers for the Chinese market do not have the signal strength limitation that the routers for the global market have. I have installed such a router, now I can catch the signal at the entrance, although I have a very high floor.

It seems that low signal strength is one of the features of Wi-Fi, allowing you to use a lot of different networks in a limited space, without interfering with each other. Then how do the Chinese with their "very strong signal" share the airwaves in their man-houses?

Reboot the router

Yes, yes, that's the first thing they advise you to do when contacting customer service. And rightly so.

A modern router is a complex device, the software of which over time, errors can occur. The easiest and fastest way to get rid of them is to reboot the equipment. Some routers allow you to do this automatically by schedule, you just need to look in the settings for the appropriate option.

Install alternative firmware

Alternative firmware is written by enthusiasts to address the shortcomings of proprietary software. The most famous project of such kind is DD-WRT. This firmware supports a wide range of hardware and is distributed free of charge.

The installation of third-party firmware allows not only to improve network operation, but also in some cases to activate previously inaccessible functions of the device. Note, however, that the process of reflashing and the subsequent configuration of the equipment will require you to have time and special knowledge.

What to do in reality

Unfortunately, none of the truly "folk" methods in real life do not work and, in fact, can worsen the situation. The only thing they are good for is decorating your apartment. But you might as well hang a disco ball under the ceiling.

To improve signal quality, it is easier to use third-party software to analyze the air and make changes to the router settings, as well as to follow some simple rules. For example, the higher the router stands (to adequate limits), the more effective signal dispersion: it is better to find a place for it at about the level of the receiving equipment or higher.

It is recommended not to install the device close to reinforced concrete walls, as this can affect the signal propagation. Ideally, the device should be placed equidistant from the consumers of the Internet – roughly speaking, in the center of the room. Or where connectivity is more frequent (the exception, perhaps, is the kitchen). These are obvious things, but many people ignore them. Like, for example, the fact that a built-in closet with a mirrored door is not the best place for a Wi-Fi spot.

A slightly more costly way is to install more powerful antennas, but the router must support them. Also work repeaters, which can act as an old unnecessary router in "bridge mode" (if they provide enough bandwidth and do not arrange a war for supremacy on the communication channels). By the way, in very cheap models, the antennas can be fake – for communication there are responsible for built-in modules. On the contrary, expensive routers may have no external antennas, but the efficiency of the devices will be higher than that of cheap models with three antennas. It all depends on the "stuffing".

New models with similar characteristics can provide a more stable connection with better performance. Of course, the antenna power has an impact. In the case of TP-Link 840 and 841, for example, the difference in signal strength was 10-15 dB in favor of the cheaper but newer 840 (the older model was less stable with the network). But again – the chosen channel plays one of the paramount roles when it comes to 2.4 GHz.

A working version with foil

By the way, there is a working way to boost Wi-Fi with foil after all. It was invented in 2015 by engineers from Dartmouth College. Their solution involves using foil as a reflective material attached to an antenna printed on a 3D printer. Its shape is the main secret to success – it is calculated based on the shape of the room and depends on the location of the receiving and transmitting devices.

We would like to thank the Delovaya Set company for their help in preparing this article.

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