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How to Get a Stronger Wi-Fi Signal

We are still many years away from the moment when everyone will enjoy access to ultra high speed Wi-Fi. Until then, we’ll still struggle to get higher Internet speeds in various areas of our houses or offices. And there will still be rooms – or at least areas in some of our rooms – where nobody will be able to stream a movie in HD quality.

If these problems sound familiar to you, it’s good to know that solutions are available. Read on to discover three surefire, and yet inexpensive ways of fixing your Wi-Fi problems.

 

1. Use a Wired Network

The first solution is obvious, and yet I don’t see too many people talking about it: go for wired Internet connections. As I’m sure you know, these connections are much faster in comparison with Wi-Fi.

So if you’ve always had problems trying to access the Internet in your basement, it may be time to connect that computer to your router by making use of a plain Ethernet connection. Most routers have several Ethernet plugs, so this shouldn’t be a problem.

ethernet-plugs

However, your laptop or computer may miss an Ethernet plug. If this is the case, you can buy an Ethernet card, and then install it in your computer. And if you need mobility, you can add another router in your basement, connecting it to the wired cable.

 

2. Purchase a Wi-Fi Repeater

People use repeaters to extend the range of their Wi-Fi networks. The name is self-explanatory: the device receives Wi-Fi signal, amplifies it, and then emits it in a larger area.

Due to interference, Wi-Fi repeaters aren’t as good as wired connections. Still, they are very convenient, because they aren’t expensive and will do a proper job most of the time.

They’re also easy to set up; often times, you’ll be done installing them and connecting them to the network within minutes!

wifi-repeaters

Pro tip: most repeaters come with tiny antennas. It’s a standard feature, because they’re supposed to use as little space as possible – and look lovely while doing so ;). Still, it’s best to replace their antennas with bigger ones, which have a much higher gain. Some people have managed to get the best of both worlds by placing these antennas on top of their cabinets (an option that will significantly boost Wi-Fi signal) and then connecting them to the repeaters by making use of standard cables.

Netgear and D-Link are among the manufacturers that manage to balance price and performance quite well, creating inexpensive products that are able to provide decent Wi-Fi speeds.

Don’t forget that even the best repeater in the world can’t work properly if it isn’t fed a decent signal. So if you don’t get great results, try to move your router as well.

 

3. Get a Powerline Adapter

Powerline adapters are an intermediate solution, trying to offer the best of both worlds: simplicity and performance. They increase Wi-Fi strength by making use of a wired network – the wires used by the power lines in your home.

Simply plug a device into an outlet near your router, and then its pair (they’re sold in pairs) into an outlet that’s close to the area with the weak signal. Then, pair the devices and you’ll be set – how cool is that?

powerline-adapters

Actually, powerline adapters, no matter how expensive they are, tend to disconnect from the network every now and then. Still, they may be a good solution if it’s impossible to bring a wired Ethernet connection in your basement.

Feel free to use one or more of these methods; you may get much better results by combining two of them, for example.