Practical digital skills

Improve Wi-Fi coverage at home

Test where the connection drops, reposition the router and compare a wired connection before buying extra equipment.

Step-by-step guideUpdated
Follow the method ↓
A person checks a home Wi-Fi router and a laptop in a living room

The answer in 30 seconds

A slow application can come from the service, the internet connection or the local wireless link. Isolate the cause before changing a router setting or buying a repeater.

Measure the problem in more than one room, place the router centrally and in the open, then compare Wi-Fi with a wired test before changing equipment.

Examples to adapt

One room is slow

Walls and distance may weaken the signal even when service near the router is good.

Every device is slow

Check the provider connection and service status before focusing on Wi-Fi coverage.

Follow the method

  1. 1
    Map the weak spots

    Test the same task near the router and in the problem room at similar times.

  2. 2
    Compare with Ethernet

    If possible, test a computer by cable. A good wired result points towards local Wi-Fi coverage or interference.

  3. 3
    Improve placement

    Move the router away from enclosed furniture and large obstacles, ideally towards the centre of the home.

  4. 4
    Retest before upgrading

    Compare results again. If coverage is still poor, check wired access points or a suitably placed repeater.

A checklist to keep

Use these checks to record what you found. The grid supports a decision; it does not make one for you.

Improve Wi-Fi coverage at home: checklist
CheckWhat to examineAction
LocationNear router and problem roomTest
ConnectionWi-Fi versus wired resultCompare
PlacementOpen space and obstaclesAdjust
RetestSame task after each changeRecord

Download the CSV checklist

Free, no sign-up. UTF-8 text with semicolon-separated columns.

What to check

A speed test is one observation, not a guarantee of every application.

A repeater placed where the signal is already weak may have little to relay.

Changing Wi-Fi settings can disconnect connected devices temporarily.

Common questions

Will a faster plan fix a weak room?

Not necessarily. Compare wired and nearby Wi-Fi results first.

Where should I put the router?

In an open, central position where possible, away from large obstacles.

Sources and documentation

Documentation consulted on . Examples are illustrative; interfaces and results may change.

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