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There are few things more annoying than a weak Wi-Fi signal. But it’s not a problem without some fairly simple fixes. Consumer Reports electronics spokesman James McQueen is here with some tips on how to boost your signal strength
Location, location, location— that adage definitely applies when it comes to coaxing stronger Wi-Fi from your router. In fact, all those things that make your home, well, a house—doors, walls, windows—are impediments for Wi-Fi signals. Here are a few router placement tips to keep those signals moving along.
Higher is better. If you live in a two-story house, placing the router on the second floor promotes wider reach. The device’s antennas work something like an umbrella: The higher you put them, the more coverage you get below them. Just remember that floors slow signals down. So you may not want to put the router in the attic—especially if you want strong Wi-Fi in the basement.
Seize the middle ground. Doors and walls are trouble, too. That means the closer the router is to the center of your home, the better off you’ll be. Does that mean you have to install it in the guest bathroom? No, but if you can find a spot close by, you may improve the signal elsewhere in the house. If that requires moving wires, your service provider might be able to help.
For more info on this story, visit ConsumerReports.org.
