Wi-Fi Coverage blues? Show your Home Wi-Fi who’s the boss!

When was the last time you were sat in that corner of your bedroom and felt like Wi-Fi was another name for devil? I did one day, and then another day and another day!! One day though I had enough. After multiple rounds of research, a few failed experiments I found a setup that works brilliantly well. Thankfully before the coronavirus crisis. Let me share with you a few tips that helped me.

Seriously consider upgrading to “Mesh Wi-Fi”

This consists of a main router and an ad-hoc number of satellite nodes as needed. These form a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password. When your device goes from one room to another, it effectively “roams” from one node to another thereby giving you hassle free coverage even in a very large area (3 Nodes typically cover about 4000 Square-feet). You need to plug in the main router into your modem, and other nodes wirelessly communicate with it and with each other. Setup is easy, and when done properly they work brilliantly. To sum up, Say goodbye to Wi-Fi Blind-Spots around your house! Ps. see my post on how my new flagship Android is better in network regard.

Do your own research before buying, however they are an easy find on Amazon – sample links are provided below. These are expensive, but worth every penny. I would recommend a basic setup – it suffices for most needs we have from working to streaming.

·       TP Link – TP-Link Deco M4 Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System

·       Tenda – Click here

Tips for better stability of your home Wi-Fi

a.       For compact houses, consider investing in a dual band router and keep all streaming devices / smart TV etc. on a 5Ghz network (faster but less reach) whereas use 2.4Ghz (slower but more reach) for mobile phones, laptops etc. 

b.       If you have a lot of IOT / smart devices e.g. Smart Switches, Alexa, etc.

consider having a third 2.4 GHz dedicated router. This additional network can be configured to work alongside your router. As a result, you will need to re-configure to ensure no interference. For Bigger houses, I would definitely recommend Mesh Wi-Fi!

c.       I am not a big fan of range extenders – they work but in my experience are inconsistent and patchy, they might work for you though!

d. For advanced users, Wi-Fi analyzer utilities can help you detect interference from other Wi-Fi networks. Above all, it can resolve any channel conflicts etc. In addition, 2.4 GHz networks are fairly crowded in an apartment complex. Similarly, overlaps sometimes reduce speed as too many networks may be using the same Wi-Fi Channel.

e. Wi-Fi routers are susceptible to interference from certain kinds of devices. Therefore, we must keep them away from Microwave ovens, Bluetooth Devices, Baby Monitors, Fridge, etc. In addition, keep standalone routers in the center of your house, and in an open area – do not hide them in a bookshelf or a cupboard

f.        If you have DIY fever this weekend, you can also make DIY reflectors to tweak Wi-Fi Coverage / Leakage – sometimes all you may need is an Aluminum foil read more here

Bonus Tip

To sum up, if you are interested in setting up without digging up your walls, or have a smaller budget, you can buy a class of devices called as Powerline adapters. For instance, it will allow you to send data over your electric lines (don’t worry it’s very safe) one “plug-in” near your router, and one or more “plug-out” in the desired room. As a result, you can connect seamlessly using Ethernet or Wi-Fi over fairly large distances.

a.       Powerline Wi-Fi adapter with Ethernet port – Link here

In addition, I also want to mention, that this is my personal experience and not a promotion.