How to Extend Your Wireless Network's Range

Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:07PM EST

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Wi-Fi networking range is like money, candy, and free time. You can never have too much of it. Getting more range out of your wireless networking gear can be a challenge, but it isn't impossible. Here are some pointers on how to extended your Wi-Fi range, hopefully letting you cover your entire house or office.

  • Upgrade to 802.11n - OK, it's not a free solution, but it's the best one there is. The new 802.11n gear (even though it has yet to be finalized by the standards body in charge of it) has dramatically better range, speed, and stability than 802.11b or g: After simply upgrading your router to an 802.11n model, you will likely find that your signal is stronger and more reliable in every room, plus you'll experience faster throughput all around (especially if your laptop has 802.11n technology in it). I've also found that 802.11n routers crash less frequently, another big bonus. A new 802.11n router will set you back from $60 to $180.
  • Try a Range Extender or Repeater - You'll find lots of hardware like this on the market. Some of it works well, some doesn't. In general, I've had the best luck with extenders when they are made by the same company who made your router. Some vendors also offer "high-gain" antennas as a replacement for the little ones on your router. They're worth a try.
  • Move Your Router - Got DSL or a cable modem? You can attach your network hardware to any working phone line or cable outlet, respectively, in the house. Obviously, picking someplace central to connect your equipment will give you the best overall coverage throughout the house. But even if you can't move the equipment to another location, minor changes can have drastic effects. Wi-Fi signals are blocked by thick metal and concrete, so try picking the router up off the floor and putting it on a table or mounting it on the wall. Pulling the router out from behind your monster TV or entertainment center can also boost the signal dramatically. Experiment by watching your Wi-Fi client's signal meter to see if something helps.
  • Tweak Those Antennas - They're not just for decoration: Orienting your antennas (try horizontal, vertical, and/or a 45-degree angle) differently can offer decent results with minimal effort. In general, all antennas should be oriented the same way. Again, experiment to see what works best.
  • Change Channels - For this tweak you'll need to get into your router's management screen, either through an installed application or by typing the IP address of the router into a web browser. You'll find a "Wireless Channel" (or similar) setting in the wireless configuration portion of your router. Most routers default to channel 1, 6, or 11, but if your neighbors are all on channel 6, then you might be seeing slow speed and lower range due to interference. Try one of the other channels (start with 1, 6, and 11, but other channel numbers are worth a shot, too), to see if you get a better signal with them. Remember that your neighbors may also replace their equipment at some point, so if you see a sudden drop in range or speed, try a new channel.

Comments on How to Extend Your Wireless Network's Range

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  • 6 Posted by anmr_spell@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    The article itself is helpfull but it's no good to tell folks to try another channel on their router if you don't inform them of the channel options or at least how to access the information to find out how to learn about additional channels. thank you for your information. speller

  • 7 Posted by stikkbomber on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you really want to geek out, dig around in the router's firmware and see if you can find the settings to increase the transmitting power. Most SOHO routers are set to transmit at wattages much lower than they are rated to transmit at, for liability and safety reasons. Try upgrading or even completely changing the firmware on the router, too, if you're feeling experimental. Open source solutions such as DD-WRT, based off of and written for the Linksys WRT54G, offer a set of features that actually let you boost the transmitting power, set advanced router features like quality-of-service, etc. Specialized firmware upgrades for specific routers are even offered by some ISPs, such as EarthLink. Doing any of the above isn't without a price, however. In the least, doing some of these changes, like using firmware not supported by the router manufacturer, most probably will violate any warranties on the router. At worst, you can permanently damage the router, since you're not only changing its "brains", but adjusting the power generated by the router. Anything manipulating electricity, which is what computers do in simplest terms, is never a completely safe enterprise.

  • 8 Posted by fpnj102 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    My router is conected to the cable modem, and my phone modem is also conected the same way....everytime someone gets on the cordless phone i dorp internet conection. Any ideas on how to fix this?

  • 9 Posted by coreboy7 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great tips! However, I would check with your isp about moving your cable/dsl modem to move the router. I work for a phone/dsl company and we setup our dsl on something called a homerun jack. This basically is a designated jack for the modem to be plugged into. When the modem is connected to another jack that isn't the homerun jack the speeds to the modem are drastically slower than if it were connected to the homerun jack. Sometimes the dsl doesn't even work at all. As for the cordless phone interfering with the wireless internet you need to go into the router and change the frequency/channel. To get to the configuration: 1. Find default gateway- start,run,type in cmd,type in ipconfig. 2. Open internet explorer and type in the default gateway listed in the adress bar. 3 Enter the username and password for the router (Usually is admin & admin depending on the router) 4.At this step your pretty much on your own depending on the router you have. The routers have many different configuration pagesso you will have to do some exploring to find the settings. Good Luck!

  • 11 Posted by keninmich on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with n routers. After weeks of buying all the expensive upgrades, we still had compatiblity issues. If you have relatives or company with laptops, it's not going to work well depending on brand. Going back to the simply G and had no problems since....And save 100's of dollars.

  • 12 Posted by rogueist on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Personally I havent had much luck with range extenders - they are usually matched to one exact model of router and are not generic.

  • 13 Posted by surfwiththewaves485 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have my router automatically change wireless channels. It helps because when a channel becomes busy the router which switch to anthore channel.

  • 14 Posted by rodsterrj on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    wireless card versus usb & booster??? need input

  • 15 Posted by jallen1804 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    Just get yourself a Motorola wireless surfboard modem. Had one since December; is excellent.

  • 16 Posted by atreyablue on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    My Neighbor needs to get a range extender because our connection to his router always drops, and It's really upsetting. I'd mention it but He doesn't know we even use his router. I might order one anonymously and have it delivered to his house.

  • 17 Posted by sensortags on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    I want to broadcast my signal from the rooftop so that my neighbor can get the signal. I live up on a hill & he is down in the hollow but the hill is in the way. I was thinking of a small antenna on my roofline...what antenna do I hook to my linksys to extend this wireless network?

  • 18 Posted by owenl1998 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    There is a longer article with more tips here: http://www.dailywireless.com/features/10-tips-increase-wireless-range-051007/

  • 19 Posted by gle3105 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    While the article is generically okay, what's left out is the frustration of making these devices integrate seamlessly. Plus it isn't 802.11n YET. It is Draft 802.11n. If you watched Sixty Minutes about a month ago,there was a portion of the show dedicated to technology items for consumer use and how one has problems using. Try using a Dlink 625 with a 1260 print server. Doesn't work secured. I wouldn't rush out and buy any new gizmo until bugs are worked out for awhile. Then search for the product and read reliable reviews. Use a draft N wireless router? It will throttle back to 54mbs for other machines and offer security but the machine you have a DraftN NIC card will be 54 also,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,sigh. I set up wireless A/V equipment. Not even considering uying anything until they are not Draft anymore. Period. Remember this about computer products. As soon as it hits the shelf,it's outdated.

  • 20 Posted by texprof103 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was using a Belkin router and a sub-par card and got unbelievable speed. I didn't realize this until I switched out to a Linksys router and card and my connection dramatically dropped. It cost more and promised more. Now, I am digging in the closet to find my "cheapo" routing system. What the heck? Higher end does not mean higher response. Shoulda left things alone. Oh yeah, range extenders were not needed with the Belkin set up but I can't work some places in the house without them using Linksys. What's up with that?

  • 21 Posted by yeerkette on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    802.11n is the best solution.AND If you have a turbo connection (15mb/s or higher) you will not get your full speed wireless anyway if you dont have it.

  • 22 Posted by barnardbaca on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    All fair comments. Here I'll add my two/cents worth as a Ham radio operator. First, 'wireless' is radio. Yep, no mystery here, just a small radio transmitter (and usually pretty crummy Chinese quality control, too). ANTENNA. Antenna is the most important part of a transmitting setup. Therefore, it behooves you---as the article suggests--to place the radio/wireless modem up in the clear, and to adjust the pitch or angle of the antenna to improve its polarisation. Don't buy a bunch of over-priced, unneeded hardware like a repeater unless you're really, truly exceeding the range of your radio modem. Preamps, sold as "range extenders" can help, but again, try tweaking the antenna as suggested. Good luck an don't be too impressed with consumer electronics with ghetto packaging. word.

  • 23 Posted by barnardbaca on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    All fair comments. Here I'll add my two/cents worth as a Ham radio operator. First, 'wireless' is radio. Yep, no mystery here, just a small radio transmitter (and usually pretty crummy Chinese quality control, too). ANTENNA. Antenna is the most important part of a transmitting setup. Therefore, it behooves you---as the article suggests--to place the radio/wireless modem up in the clear, and to adjust the pitch or angle of the antenna to improve its polarisation. Don't buy a bunch of over-priced, unneeded hardware like a repeater unless you're really, truly exceeding the range of your radio modem. Preamps, sold as "range extenders" can help, but again, try tweaking the antenna as suggested. Good luck an don't be too impressed with consumer electronics with ghetto packaging. word.

  • 24 Posted by tryan02 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    LAME! was this some dang yahoo infomercial? Or a conspiracy to make me get rid of my perfectly working old router and buy new to stimulate the economy. If I wanted better range I would buy another $15 router then parallel another amplifier doubling the power.

  • 25 Posted by zenrage on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Correction to this article. Buying a wireless n router will not improve your performance (by distance or reliability) unless your other devices connected to it also have wireless n. Also, the single most important thing you can do to increase range and signal strength is to move your router higher. Don't put it on the floor, instead mount it on a wall as close to the ceiling as possible. Make sure your router is not only behind your TV or computer but also not in a tangle of wires carrying electricity. This includes power cords, phone wires, coaxial cable, usb cables, etc.

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