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WLAN too weak? Still struggling to increase range: Tips for better reception

Written by Andy Prosper

Just with the smartphone in the kitchen a recipe to cook and then the Internet connection is gone? A weak WLAN network is often the cause of unstable internet connections. And they are extremely annoying. If the signal is too weak, you can optimize it.

The network should ideally cover all the rooms of your own apartment or the house. A strong wireless network is becoming increasingly important. In many households, network-capable devices are clustering, which can only be integrated into the home network via WLAN.

Besides the widespread smartphones and tablets, this includes webradios, e-book readers and wireless IP cameras. Especially in small, battery-powered devices, WLAN antennas are usually not particularly effective. A stable WLAN reception is therefore indispensable. Sometimes, however, the wireless Internet connection does not even reach the next room. If you want to improve the reception, the first route to the wireless router should lead.

Improve WLAN reception with just a few simple steps

First, check if your router has moving antennas. If so, you can improve the wireless reception by a simple reorientation. Just try different antenna settings.

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Another possibility is a repositioning of the router. It should be as high, free and central as possible. This video shows you how to position your router best.

Improve wireless reception by higher standard

If these first, simple steps do not bring the desired success, check which the standard your router supports. This information is usually found on the packaging or in the operating instructions. The wireless standards that use WLAN devices are constantly being further optimized.

Old devices sometimes have a WLAN-g adapter. This 802.11g standard transmits at a maximum transmission rate of 54 Mbit / s and is completely out of date. The following n-standard is now overtaken. Newer devices have the much better WLAN-ac standard (802.11ac).

Its transmission rates are significantly higher. And the future standards should increase the pace again. So if you have a router with an outdated standard, it’s worth buying a new one.

Attention: After reinstallation, all devices must be reconnected to the new router. You need the access data for your Internet connection.

Extend the WLAN signal with a repeater

Despite modern standards, WLAN routers can quickly reach their limits if the distance becomes too large or if radio barriers such as ceilings and walls are to be overcome. In such a case, a repeater can help. This is an amplifier, which takes up the signal and extends so to speak. The ideal location for a repeater is in the middle of the router and the room where you want to improve wireless reception.

The repeater, like a terminal, connects to the router. In the target room, the terminal used again connects to the repeater. The amplifier forwards the data from the router location to the destination. With a repeater, one works best if the distance to be bridged is not too big. In many cases, even the Fritz box has a repeater function.

About the author

Andy Prosper