Laptops with limited signal range suffer from slow ordropped connections.
Modern laptops have a built-inwireless connection adapter.
Older laptops require an external online grid adapter such as a PCMCIA card or aUSB adapter.
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Environmental Factors That Affect Wi-Fi Range
Several environmental factors can cause aweak Wi-Fi signal.
In a homenetworkenvironment, there’s a lot you could do about these common culprits.
Router Distance
A laptop can get a Wi-Fi signal within a limited distance from therouter.
Move the laptop closer to the wireless router to combat this problem.
The closer the laptop is to the router, the better the signal.
These devices plug into a power outlet between your laptop and the router.
Wi-Fi repeaters repeat the Wi-Fi signal, effectively expanding the Wi-Fi range further through your house.
A similar option that can extend Wi-Fi through your house is tobuy a wireless mesh system.
Amesh networkconsists of more than one router that blankets multiple rooms with Wi-Fi.
Seehow mesh networks differ from range extendersif you’re not sure which to go with.
These routers have several antennas that push the signal further than a traditional router.
Obstructing Objects
Metal structures and large appliances between the laptop and the router can obstruct the signal.
Relocate your laptop or desk to avoid these signal killers.
Use a Newer Wi-Fi Standard
Replace your routerwhen technology standards change.
For example, 802.11ac routers are faster than earlier standards like802.11nand802.11g.
These routers can also connect to multiple devices at the same time instead of switching between devices.
The same is true for external web link adapters used in older laptops.
Look at the newer alternatives.
Update the Laptop Software
Keep the software on your laptop updated.
data pipe drivers, for example, affect how a laptop connects to the data pipe.
Old drivers can reduce the range and speed of the connection.
There are severalfree programs that update computer drivers.
Update the Router Software
Updating the router softwarewhen possible is also important.
External internet adapters sometimes have antennas that reach the router easier than the internal internet card.
Avoid Frequency Interference
Older routers run on the same frequency as many home electronic devices.
Modern routers moved to the 5 GHz frequency to avoid home electronic interference.
Available Wi-Fi channels are 1 through 11, but your router may only use two or three of those.
Check the Transmission Power prefs
The transmission power can be adjusted on some web connection adapters.
The transmission power should be set to the maximum of 100% to ensure the strongest signal possible.
Speed Could Be a Factor
A internet with slow speeds can appear to be broken.
Contact your ISP to upgrade your bandwidth to something faster.
VPN services,download managers,torrents, and otherfile-sharingtools often hoard bandwidth.
Shut down those apps to instantly boost your laptop’s Wi-Fi.
