Avoid storing your router inside of a closed cabinet. Whenever you use wifi, keep any doors open between you and the router to help improve your signal.
If your router doesn’t have an external antenna, you may be able to buy one and plug it into your router to help improve the signal. Check electronics stores or online to see what’s available.
You can also log in to your router on a computer to see all of the connected devices and remove the ones you don’t want on the network. If you don’t recognize the devices connected to your router, someone else may have logged into your wifi and is using your Internet. Remove the devices and immediately change to a stronger password. [5] X Research source
When you first get your router, the technician setting it up will usually help you find the most effective spot to keep it. If you mainly use wifi in a media room, try placing the router there instead so you have the strongest, most consistent signal. In a 2-story home, keep the router on the first floor close to the ceiling so your entire home gets the best signal.
For example, if you don’t want your wifi signal absorbed by a wall or window, set the foil between it and your router.
If you place an extender somewhere that already has a weak signal, you still may have slow speeds while you’re browsing the web.
While 5 GHz gives you a stronger signal, it doesn’t travel through walls or ceilings as well, so it doesn’t give you the best range.
The location of the channel menu depends on the router you’re using. Your router will usually try to connect to the strongest channel automatically. You can run a wireless scan on your computer to find the channels that are the strongest. [11] X Research source
If your modem and router are separate from one another, unplug your modem before the router. Let the modem boot up completely before plugging your router back in.
Mesh wifi systems usually cost around $100–200 USD.
