Fixing WiFi problems
Where would we be without Wifi? It doesn’t bear thinking about.
For starters it would be a health and safety department nightmare with trip hazards everywhere. Every computer device would require an ethernet cable connecting it to the internet. There would be no smartphones, tablets or laptops, just desktop PC’s and printers…pretty much like it was back in late 90’s, before wireless local area networks became a thing.
As marvellous as wireless networks are, they can still be a source of frustration for those who experience continual WiFi drop outs and degraded internet performance as they move around the house or office. So what’s the solution?
In many cases the performance of your Wifi can be improved significantly by tuning your wireless network to operate on the most optimum channel. This is done via network scanning software that scan’s all available networks within your area, then advises the best channels to use. On Apple Mac’s this is built into the OS and can be accessed by holding the Option key while clicking on the wireless icon “open wireless diagnostics”, then window “Scan”. It will then advise the best 2.4 and 5ghz channels to use.
On a Windows device you’ll need to download a 3rd party piece of software. In the Microsoft store download and launch an application called “Wi-Fi Analyzer”. It will show a graphical view of all networks and the “recommended” channels to use.
Login into your internet router and under the wireless network settings make the necessary changes. If there’s an option to increase the transmit power, adjust it to full.
Bear in mind that 2.4Ghz channel frequencies tend to travel further than 5Ghz, so if you’re at the other end of the house or office, you’ll likely want to connect to the 2.4Ghz channel.
What are my options?
If you’ve tried all of the above but still find the Wifi connection is flaky and intermittent then you have a couple of options:
Wireless Boosters
Wireless boosters connect into your original wifi signal and extend out across your home or office, which means you need to locate this device around the centre of the building.
Ethernet Over Power Devices
Ethernet over power devices are clever little boxes that utilise the existing power cables to send an internet signal around the building. One end plugs into the router, with the other end located at the far end of the building, some models even have built in Wifi at the far end. The caveat with these EoP devices is that they can only be used on the same electrical circuit.
If you have a mid sized office building with a dozen or so connected devices you’re going to need more than consumer grade network equipment.