Don’t blame the router for factors that affect Wi-Fi signal coverage

In the test of wireless routers, we know that the strength of Wi-Fi signal will have a direct impact on the network transmission rate. If the signal quality is too poor, the most intuitive feeling is that the network speed is slow and stuck. In fact, in addition to the problem of the hotspot (AP or wireless router) itself, the poor Wi-Fi signal is also subject to some other factors. Only by analyzing the specific problem can we find the fundamental solution to the problem. Therefore, we have listed seven factors that affect wireless coverage to see if they can help you solve your troubles.

Too far away

We know that wireless routers have a certain coverage range. The farther the device is from the router, the worse the signal quality will be. Therefore, when surfing the Internet, you will usually have better signal quality if you are within the best coverage range of the wireless router. If you are too far away from the wireless hotspot, you can also purchase a wireless repeater to amplify the signal of the known wireless hotspot you searched for. Although the wireless transmission rate will be reduced by half, it is still sufficient for surfing the Internet.

The interior layout is complex and the walls are too thick

The coverage of wireless routers is tested under ideal conditions without obstacles. However, in actual use, Wi-Fi signals will be greatly attenuated when passing through load-bearing walls, glass or water, and the higher the frequency, the more obvious the attenuation. In other words, the wall penetration ability of 5GHz signals is weaker than that of 2.4GHz. If there are multiple rooms in the room and there are many thick solid walls, it is normal for the wireless signal to be reduced by half or even more than two-thirds. In this case, you can either consider connecting a wireless AP or wireless router by pulling an Ethernet cable, or use a power cat with AP function.

Router placement

Wireless routers are all products with built-in or external full-line antennas. Therefore, with the antenna as the center, the signal is strongest around it and weakest up and down. In other words, wireless coverage upstairs or downstairs is doomed to be a tragedy, even the so-called "villa-level" wireless routers are not effective. However, in the same room, when placing wireless routers, ensure that the signal coverage area is maximized. After experiments, the best position is in the center of the house.

The antenna gain is low

Antennas are divided into directional and omnidirectional types. Currently, omnidirectional antennas are used on routers. Early wireless routers were basically equipped with an antenna with a gain of 2dbi, while current wireless routers are basically equipped with two or three 5dbi antennas, so the signal coverage and effect have been effectively increased. However, don't fall into the misunderstanding that "more antennas mean better signals and fewer antennas mean worse signals." Some products that claim to be villa-level are equipped with antennas as high as 9dbi, and of course the length of the antenna is also exaggerated.

The router transmit power is low

According to national regulations, the transmission power of wireless routers shall not exceed 100mW. Some routers on the market now have a default transmission power of only 80%, so we can try to increase the transmission power appropriately to improve the coverage quality of wireless signals, but the signal radiation will also increase. Although there is no evidence that Wi-Fi signal radiation will have an adverse effect on the human body, it is still better to pay attention to special groups such as the elderly, children and pregnant women. In addition, some wireless routers do not have an amplifier module in the wireless part, which will also lead to poor signal coverage and quality.

Interference from surrounding signals

Most wireless routers now work at 2.4GHz. With the popularity of wireless routers, we often find more than two wireless hotspots around us. However, there are many products working in this frequency band, such as wireless keyboards, mice and microwave ovens. 2.4GHz has only three completely non-overlapping channels, so it is very susceptible to interference, resulting in poor signal quality and slow network transmission rate. Therefore, the fundamental solution is to upgrade to a 5GHz wireless router and upgrade the wireless network card of the device, but this will inevitably increase the purchase cost.

The terminal receiving sensitivity is low

In fact, poor signal quality is often caused by the wireless network module of the device (such as mobile phones, laptops, etc.). Affected by the size of the device, the power of the chip and the gain of the antenna, the ability of these products to receive wireless signals is also different. The wireless reception effect of some smart mobile terminals is often lower than that of our computers. On the contrary, some more exotic devices, such as the "King of Cards" and "King of Cards" wireless network cards that were popular in the past few years for cracking wireless passwords, have a signal reception sensitivity that is even several times higher than that of our other devices.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.