I have a wireless connection to one of my computers in my home but is has low signal strenth and speed. How?

Question

How can i improve this?

Answer 1

Many things can affect wireless signals, the main one being the distance between you and the router. If the router is quite far away (ie 20 metres or more) then you are going to get a very poor signal. If there are also walls in the way then these will degrade your signal even more. The thickness of the walls and material they are made of also need to be taken into account.

Wireless signals cannot pass through metal (instead they bounce off) so if your router or PC is near a radiator or metal pipes then try to place it in a better position. Also try tweaking the antenna and make sure the signal power is set to 100% in the settings.

Also, even though the signal is weak, is the connection ok? Even if your wireless drops to 5mbs, the chances are your broadband modem is only capable of 2mbps so the slower wireless speed shouldn't be a problem.

One further point - cordless phones, your microwave oven, even bluetooth adaptors all use the same radio frequency as your wireless network... not only that but any other wireless networks in range may also interefere. Try changing the channel that your wireless network runs on - channel 12 might have less interference than channel 6 for example.

Finally, I have a DLINK router at home and it's a real piece of crap. In the end I had to update the firmware to an Australian version in order to fix my appalling wireless performance and now it's running fine. Check to see if there are any firmware updates you can perform on both your router and the wireless card in your PC.

Obviously if the router isn't yours because you're leeching from your neighbour's house then just be glad he didn't encrypt his signal!

Answer 2

Have computer as close to router as possible. Position the router above everything else in the room and away from other electrical devices, Florescent lighting can cause interference. Check that the antenna connection is tight. Metal objects (i.e. filing cabinets etc) can block signal. Go to wireless manufacturers website for more.

Answer 3

Have to move the PC closer to the incoming signal.

I have the same situation. PC downstairs which is connected to the cable - I am there in an instant. PC upstairs, away from the incoming signal - runs from low to good, most always low. Sometimes it takes a second for the signal to be found.

Answer 4

You don't want to set the strength too high. You could be setting yourself up to be hit by a drive by hacker. A drive by hacker is someone who drives around until he finds a wireless connection he can access the internet by.

Answer 5

buy a fast router for the frist pc the have a good (isp)server set up your pc that has the wireless low signal strenth , put the usb adapter in the 2.0 usb port if your using a wireless card ,

you call your (isp)
GET THIS SET TO DISABLED

(GAMES & APPLICATION SHARING )
it dont matter what router you have you need to get
(GAMES & APPLICATION SHARING ) set to disable

is your router safe?
you need to call your (isp) server
they have to get you in to your router home page
then from there ..copy & paste the router home page
into a notepad then save that to a back up cd

now from there they have to take you to the part
where (GAMES & APPLICATION SHARING ) is
then you click on ( GAMES & APPLICATION SHARING) icon
then at the top of the page on the right your see
configure.. you click on configure
then you .. UN-TICK .. the box ( GAMES & APPLICATION SHARING)
that is ticked there ...
then you click look down the page your see
<<<
if you have a wireless router
and then ask them where you set up a wpa-security key dont use a 128bit wep key ask to use a wpa- security that is your router security key and you pick the wpa-security key not your (isp)server . just ask them where you set one up they will say use a wep-key ..ignore them you say your going to use a wpa.key and want to know how to set one up and remember you pick the wpa-key not your (isp)server or they will use your network

now you close off the page
and clean out your internet address bar

Answer 6

Buy a wireless router instead of stealing someone's signal from nextdoor.

Or buy a faster and better router.

Answer 7

You need to check for interference, and maybe change the direction of where it's facing etc.

Answer 8

You need a wireless booster, or extender..click here>>

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=wireless%20booster&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_14568023_1&results-process=default?tag2=amd-google-20

Answer 9

batteries are bad