
Simple & Free
Ways to Improve Your WiFi Reception |
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Relocate your wireless router to the middle
of your house. This is the most effective
way to maximize your
home WiFi coverage. If you have DSL or cable internet then it
is likely that you have several other cable
or telephone jacks in your house. Any one
of these jacks can be used to
connect your modem/router. It is not necessary to move
your computer; just add a WiFi adapter to
it for wireless
communication. | |
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Position
the antennas on your router vertically.
Although they can be positioned at various angles,
your best results for covering larger areas
will be vertical positioning. The reason
for this is because the signal pattern is not a
bubble but is flat like a pancake. If the
antenna is placed at a 45 degree angle then most
of the beam pattern will be pointed at the
ground and roof. | |
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Elevate your
WiFi router off the floor or
a metal
surface. For best reception, place the router on a wood
table or desk. For even better reception, place two or
three of those old encyclopedias under your router. WiFi can usually
pass through soft materials like books and wood without
too much trouble. | |
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Reposition dense
obstructions in your home
so that your routers WiFi signal path can reach your
WiFi device. Some
common household obstructions include mirrors,
metal filing cabinets, kitchen appliances,
bathroom fixtures, and furniture. Basically
anything metal, brick, stucco,
porcelain, tile, or hardwood will hinder or
stop WiFi. Foil covered insulation will
also stop WiFi. | |
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Move or
shield interfering devices that use the same
frequency as WiFi. Most people don't realize
that they are experiencing interference on their
WiFi network because it is still operational.
Interference can reduce the speed or momentarily
pause WiFi network communications. Some common
causes of interference are microwave
ovens, baby monitors, cord less handsets,
bluetooth devices, garage door openers,
fluorescent lights, and bad electrical
connections. | |
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One possible solution
is to change your router channel. It is better to
remove the interfering device completely but this
is not always a practical solution. In this case
try moving the interfering device as far
away from your WiFi equipment as possible. You can
also try shielding the device using aluminum foil
or a metal sheet.
Related article >>
20 Myths of Wi-Fi
Interference |
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Copyright 2009 by C. Crane Company,
Inc. 1001 Main Street Fortuna, CA 95540 (800)
522-8863 |
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