Wireless router - help

akmacca · Jan 20, 2010

I live in a two storied house and we have a wireless router for internet connection. Usually it works fine upsatirs 4-5 bars.

Downstairs is a different problem though the signal is weak and I can only pick up one bar at the best of times.

I want to move my writing space downstairs but can't because of the poor wirless signal.

So how do I improve the signal strength of the wireless so it is the same upstairs and down?

Cheers!

Clair Dickson · Jan 20, 2010

Can you move the router to a more central location?

Also, in the router settings, you might try changing the channel it broadcasts on. It may be getting interfered with by other electronics.

Though, some routers have crappy range. My Linksys broadcasts into the next county. The Belkin we used to have a school broadcast about 10 feet reliably. Don't know if it was the brand, but just giving an example.

You can get signal enhancers for more powerful broadcast.

stormie · Jan 20, 2010

We have four laptops in this house, and they're mostly used downstairs, far away from the router. I upgraded the router to an "n" . I use Linksys.

Humourwriter · Jan 20, 2010

I think it needs to be 'n' at both ends...

If I remember correctly, upgrading the router to 'n' won't make a lot of difference unless your laptop (or whatever you're trying to connect to it) is 'n' as well. Otherwose it falls back to the lowest common denominator (probably 'g').

You could try putting a wireless access point between the router and your computer to see if that boosts the signal enough.

Bill.

stormie · Jan 20, 2010

No, not really about the "n." Two laptops here are "g" and one was ancient at "b." The N router worked fine. In fact, the "b" laptop worked great afterward. Haven't had problems in two years.

RickN · Jan 21, 2010

I remember several years back when I had signal issues with my first-ever Linksys WAP (oh, the love affair I've had with them over the years -- but I digress), I looked at replacing the external antennae on the WAP. Microcenter sold a pair of replacements that claimed to boost the effective radius for a pretty cheap price. I never bought them since I decided to move my home office around and the problem went away when I got closer.

akmacca · Jan 21, 2010

Thanks for the help and information guys! I think I will buy a stronger wireless router.

Deleted member 42 · Jan 21, 2010

akmacca said:
So how do I improve the signal strength of the wireless so it is the same upstairs and down?

Cheers!

Get a second wireless router for downstairs, and create a larger network.

Wireless router - help

akmacca

Wants to get it right

Clair Dickson

A dark core to every cloud

stormie

storm central

Humourwriter

Insert witty slogan here

stormie

storm central

RickN

akmacca

Wants to get it right

Deleted member 42