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Why can't I get Wi-Fi? WiFi doesn't work well - solution. Why doesn't my phone see the wifi network?

How to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal and is this even possible? The coverage area of ​​a wireless network is affected by factors such as the type of connected router, the Wi-Fi standards used, and the number and power of installed antennas. In this article, we provide tips for those who want to improve the quality of their wireless connection.

Regardless of what device you use - mobile or stationary, there are 2 ways to solve the problem with a poor signal: setting up programs or the receiving/distributing equipment itself. Most of the tips are universal: they will help improve the quality of the Wi-Fi signal both on your phone and on your computer or TV.

Changing Wi-Fi channel frequencies

If your apartment or office is located within the reach of a large number of wireless networks, then this cannot but affect the quality of the signal. Wi-Fi networks can overlap when operating on the same channel. As a result, even if you are in a good coverage area, the signal quality can be very poor. It is for this reason that if you want to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal, you need to select a radio channel on the router.

To select a channel, you can use a special program, for example inSSIDer. In the program you can find out which channels are occupied by other people's wireless networks in the accessibility area. We select and remember a free channel, now you need to set it in the router settings. Usually in the menu they are called: “Wireless settings”.

Improving the router

The available options depend on the provider and the settings of the equipment you have installed. A number of companies are more picky about their clients, and installing their own rather than third-party equipment is preferable. Often providers offer lists of devices that support their services; it’s worth checking with them too. After all, if your tariff specifies certain speed, it is the provider’s responsibility to do everything to provide you with service at the declared level.

You can buy more, which will cost a couple of hundred dollars. But why go to such extremes? Better look at what can be done with an existing device, check its characteristics. It is also possible to replace the antenna, although many models that have appeared in the last couple of years simply do not have additional connectors to allow you to add your own antenna. But if your model allows this, check the documentation for the router - you may be able to strengthen the signal in this way or redirect it.


On some routers, advanced settings allow you to adjust the Wi-Fi signal strength. In the “Advanced settings” section, look for the “Operating mode” or “Transmission power” parameter. To indicate this parameter, either percentages or abstract values ​​(high, medium, low) can be used. We recommend setting maximum value and click the “Save” button.

Transition to 5 gigahertz frequency

Most routers operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, in this frequency there are only 13 intersecting channels, of which only 3 channels do not intersect each other. In the 5 GHz frequency, which most modern routers operate on, there are 19 channels and 7 of them are non-overlapping, which means you will have twice as many opportunities to connect to an open channel. And considering that while Wi-Fi points with a frequency of 5 GHz are not a common phenomenon, there will be practically no influence of neighbors’ points on your Internet.

Using the 802.11n standard

The choice of wireless standard directly determines the strength of the Wi-Fi signal and the coverage area of ​​the router. The 802.11n wireless standard has an advantage over other standards - an increased coverage area due to the simultaneous use of multiple antennas. If you have not yet solved the problem of how to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal, then be sure to try switching to the 802.11n standard. Please note that all your connected devices must support this standard. IN otherwise the wireless network will simply not be available for these devices.

Changing the location of the modem

Since the router emits a signal in all directions, it would be ideal if it could be located somewhere in the middle of your apartment. The closer the router placement is to this option, the better. Thanks to this, you will not have remote rooms, they will all be at an equal distance. The second step is to raise the router to its maximum height. It is best to place it on a shelf near the ceiling.

Baby monitors, cordless phones and microwave ovens can also affect the signal.

Antenna interference in mobile devices

Many smartphone cases can degrade Wi-Fi signals, especially if they contain metal used to strengthen the case. To find out whether your case affects the quality of your Wi-Fi signal, run a speed test on your smartphone with the case removed. Then, while still in the same place, put the case back on the device and perform the above test again. If you see a difference in the test results when the case is on your smartphone, then you should look for a different case.

Setting up power modes on a laptop

Laptop users do not always monitor what battery operating mode is set in this moment. When the battery charge is low, the power saving mode is almost always activated, which users forget to change after connecting the computer to the network. At the same time, a lack of power can negatively affect the operation of the laptop's Wi-Fi adapter, which in turn will affect the signal quality. If the question of how to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal remains relevant for you, pay attention to the power mode.

Installation of signal amplifiers

In the case of amplifiers, there are two options. The first is retransmission of the original signal over a greater distance with a loss of speed along the road. The second is a wired device that uses your home electrical network to transmit information to and from the router. The second method is more preferable.

For those who prefer repeaters, any solution is available for any amount; you can even find programs for old routers in the public domain. After installation, all functionality is available to you, and then you should, as described above, try to avoid conflicts with other devices as much as possible.

As for connecting to the home electrical network, there are available various options. For example, you can read it on our website. Some devices provide wired connectivity in a selected room, while others create separate Wi-Fi hotspots.

For a normal use case, a repeater is enough, but if you are interested in HD video streaming, then buy wired devices. And in this case it is better to overpay for good device from a trusted manufacturer, since such a guaranteed investment will be long-term.

According to statistics, more than 80% of Internet users in Belarus connect to the Internet via a wireless connection. At the same time, many are faced with a problem when the actual Internet speed does not correspond to that stated in the tariff plan. By following the tips described above, you can improve the quality of your wireless connection and use Wi-Fi networks comfortably.

Many users are faced with the fact that the iPhone does not receive Wi-Fi well. Often, the methods for solving the problem are quite simple; you can eliminate the cause of the weak signal yourself. The main thing is to pay attention to the situation in a timely manner and determine the type of malfunction, as well as how to eliminate it.


The most common causes of a weak Wi-Fi signal

Apple technology is rightfully considered to be of very high quality, however, even new iPhones can fail. A far from uncommon type of malfunction is that the Internet is slow or the smartphone has become difficult to connect to.

The reasons that the iPhone has become worse at catching the network or does not see it at all can be quite varied:

  • incorrect router settings
  • faulty Wi-Fi module
  • software failure

To determine the problem, check your wireless network connection settings and try rebooting your device.

Signs of faulty Wi-Fi on iPhone

If your device has poor wireless network visibility or your Wi-Fi connection is completely broken, you will experience a number of inconveniences.

The main signs that the iPhone has poor Wi-Fi reception are the following:

  • the smartphone began to have difficulty catching the network at a great distance
  • the gadget only catches the network at a short distance
  • the device does not catch the network (the antenna does not see the network)
  • Internet works intermittently

If you find one of the listed symptoms when the device is operating, you can try to fix the problem yourself.

Troubleshooting methods

Before attempting to troubleshoot the problem, check your network settings and back up your data by connecting to the mobile Internet.

If you decide to fix problems with a weak Wi-Fi signal on your iPhone or a complete lack of access to a wireless network yourself, try the following steps:

  • check the settings of the router (access point at home)
  • reboot the router
  • hard reset your iPhone
  • select the wireless connection settings for your access point
  • turn on the Wi-Fi module and connect to the network
  • perform a factory reset
  • disable location services for your wireless network
  • install latest version iPhone firmware

If the software update did not help, the smartphone has become less able to see the network far away or does not pick up the network even at a short distance from the Wi-Fi antenna at home, the search function for wireless networks does not work, try a rollback operating system to the previous firmware version.

When it becomes clear that the device does not connect well to the wireless network due to the breakdown of internal elements (for example, the Wi-Fi module), it is necessary to replace the spare part. If you cannot restore the device’s functionality on your own, entrust the smartphone to experienced specialists.


Professional service for Apple devices

On the YouDo website you can easily find a certified technician specializing in iPhone maintenance. A qualified specialist will go to the specified address at a time convenient for you. The wizard will conduct a thorough diagnostics of the device, check the correctness of the network settings and restore Wi-Fi functionality.

Using the services of Yudu performers to service Apple equipment is beneficial for many reasons:

  • Our technicians install only high-quality spare parts and original software.
  • carrying out repair work carried out using special equipment that the specialist brings with him

According to official statistics, the average Russian lives in a 6-room apartment with a garden and loggia. It is not surprising that the Wi-Fi signal does not penetrate into the nooks and crannies of the living space. Moreover, in a one-room Khrushchev house and even in a communal apartment - the same problem. But fixable!

Oleg "Orange" Bocharov

Wi-Fi network performance is problematic in two ways. First: weak and unstable signal. Second: low data transfer speed. Both can be easily solved even by a person with a humanitarian mindset, if he reads our article or offers a box of beer to a neighbor who is an IT specialist.

The option with beer is, of course, better and revitalizes the Russian economy, and also provides a significant increase in GDP. But this option often has an incorrigible drawback: the neighbor IT specialist may not exist. And then, willy-nilly, you will have to read what we wrote for you here.

1

The most important. Make sure that at the center of your Wi-Fi network is a modern, full-fledged wireless router (aka router). The key word is modern. The fact is that communication equipment is developing as actively as the entire IT industry. Those standards, protocols and wireless transmission speeds that were the norm 5-7 years ago are now hopelessly behind. For example, not so long ago a channel of 50-60 Mbit/s was considered a decent option for the home, for the family, for show-offs. And now inexpensive devices for a couple of thousand rubles claim a theoretical 300 Mbit/s.

2

In their personal diaries Captain Obvious has repeatedly noted that the main obstacle to a Wi-Fi signal is walls and partitions. In addition to walls, any shielding barrier containing metal can become a serious obstacle to the Wi-Fi signal - most often a mirror, an aquarium or a steel statue of Darth Vader. Demolition of all the walls in the apartment is the optimal solution to all your problems, but it is troublesome, yes. It’s easier to think about finding the optimal placement point for the signal source. Your wireless router should be as close to the center of the room as possible and should not lie on the floor, but should be placed at least a meter from the floor.

3

When you started searching for a network, you probably noticed more than once that there were a couple or even a dozen other people’s Wi-Fi signals walking around your apartment. For some reason, few people think about the fact that other people’s networks operate in the same frequency range as yours, and there is nothing good about that. According to standards, 13 frequency channels are allocated for Wi-Fi networks in Russia. We stole a screenshot of the configuration menu from the instructions for the popular ZyXEL Keenetic Lite router - you can see how in the “Network Client” mode the router shows channels occupied by neighbors. There are also separate programs that do the same thing, for example inSSIDer. All you have to do is study the resulting list, select the freest of 13 channels and set it as the default in the router.

4

Many craftsmen manually pump up router antennas by hanging tins, foil, and so on on them. In fact, the game is clearly not worth the candle - it is better to buy a suitable high-power antenna. There is a considerable assortment of them on Wi-Fi equipment websites, and some look very exotic. Antenna gain is specified in isotropic decibels (dBi). A standard antenna from a home router has a power of around 2 dBi, but finding and buying an antenna with a gain of 10-20 dBi is not a problem, and this radically solves the situation with signal availability! But it also makes sense to tame foil - for Lately a particularly virtuosic life hack was invented with reflectors from, which arouses increased interest.

5

Very many modern models Routers are equipped with a pair of antennas, and top models may have even more. Usually this provides a good signal, but if not, then changing two antennas at once will be expensive. In such a situation, it is better to install an additional signal distribution point in the apartment - such devices are called “repeaters” (Wi-Fi repeaters). They cost about the same as an inexpensive router and are easy to set up.

6

Often the problematic element in a home network is not the router, not the apartment layout, but the receiving device itself. You need to get two things off your chest once and for all. First: if you have a powerful computer for games and multimedia, it is still better to connect it to the network via a wired connection (there are a million reasons for this, and all of them are important). Second: if you are going to receive Wi-Fi via an adapter, choose not a tiny device the size of a fingernail (it is only suitable for gatherings in a coffee shop), but a receiver with a large antenna. Buying a Wi-Fi adapter with a heavy antenna also helps when your laptop receives a lousy signal, but in some corner of the room it is much better. You can plug a Wi-Fi adapter into your laptop and place its antenna in that lucky corner.

If something can be done, it can be done easily! Telegram channel MAXIM: Lifehacks

Low Internet speed via wifi on a laptop is a problem that can really fray your nerves. Of course, if this is provided by the provider itself under the contract, then it will not be possible to increase it (except for connecting to a higher-speed tariff).

But if you suspect that there are still unused resources, then some improvement can be achieved.

How to improve wifi reception on a laptop?

Let us immediately note that almost all options for strengthening the wifi signal relate to the settings of the network, router or external devices. On the laptop itself, to improve wifi reception, you should make settings in the “Power Options” mode, namely:

  • - Depending on the installed operating system, open “Control Panel” (for XP/7) then “Power Options” and set the mode to “High performance”.
  • - Next, open the section “Setting up a power plan” - “Change Extra options nutrition." In the list, find the line “Wireless network adapter settings” and in the line “Power saving mode” set the value to “Maximum performance” when operating both “on battery” and “on network power”.

In addition, do not forget about the importance of updating the wireless adapter driver and maintaining the most current and efficient version.

The laptop does not receive a wifi signal well: what should I do?

Now about the main thing: why does a laptop receive wifi poorly, and how to strengthen the reception of a wireless network signal?

  1. 1. The quality and stability of the signal has a huge impact on the connected devices. It is logical that the greater the distance and the number of “obstacles” between the router and the device using wireless network resources, the lower the level of signal received by the laptop and, accordingly, the speed of the Internet connection.

The ideal location of the router is in the center of the network, at the same distance from all devices connected to it (or closer to those devices that consume more traffic).

An example of the correct location of the router is shown in the following figure:

In addition, you can enhance wifi reception on a laptop by installing additional antennas on the router. There are a lot of varieties of such antennas, and the choice mainly depends on the router model and the required antenna power.

  1. 2. You can significantly enhance the reception of a wifi signal on a laptop using a “repeater” or / repeater.

This is a great option for those who have an old, unused router lying around.

  1. 3. Check what signal strength level is set in the router settings.

For some router models, there is a parameter called “Wireless Transmit Power”: if it is not set to 100 percent, then, accordingly, you have an “unused reserve” of wifi signal power.

In the router settings, you only need to find this parameter - usually it is located next to the “Standard” and “Channel” parameters - and set the value to 100%.

  1. 4. It’s also worth focusing on the “Standard” and “Channel” parameters mentioned above: right choice These parameters can significantly enhance Wi-Fi signal reception on a laptop.

To begin with, about “Standards”

Currently, the protocols are 802.11a/802.11b/802.11n, which provide a maximum data transfer rate of 54 Mbps.

Today, the leader is the 802.11ac protocol, with a maximum speed of 1.3 Gbit/s, but devices that support this protocol are quite rare.

So, to improve a weak Wi-Fi signal on a laptop, it’s worth experimenting with protocols and choosing the best one for your devices (or, if possible, setting automatic detection).

Now about the “Channel” parameter

This point is most relevant for apartment buildings, where most (if not all) networks operate on the same data link. B (but keep in mind that there are devices that do not support channels greater than 10).

There are many utilities () that can “shed light” on such a moment as “Channel Occupancy”. After determining the most free channel, you need to set it in the wireless network settings on the router and check the Internet speed via wifi on your laptop.

Thus, in order to significantly strengthen a weak Wi-Fi signal on a laptop, you should use all the methods proposed above “comprehensively”, but if the Wi-Fi signal is still weak, it may be worth replacing the router with a more modern and powerful one.

If you experience an unstable and weak signal Wi-Fi router on a home network, this is more likely to indicate an incorrect organization of wireless communication than a hardware limitation or malfunction of the network device. Of course, both a hardware malfunction and crooked (crude) router firmware can lead to unstable or weak operation of the Wi-Fi wireless connection. But most often, an unstable and weak signal from a Wi-Fi router is observed due to improperly organized wireless communication in the home network.

I will tell you in this publication what basic rules you need to follow when creating a stable wireless Wi-Fi network in an apartment, house or office. So, the first thing you need to do is find a suitable place for the Wi-Fi router so that all devices (tablet, laptop, Smart TV...) participating in your wireless network can confidently receive the Wi-Fi signal within the established range.

1. When placing a Wi-Fi router, you should take into account the thickness, position, number of walls and ceilings, as well as other similar objects through which the wireless signal will pass. Because everything that is within range and stands in the way of the Wi-Fi signal can significantly reduce the range of the wireless connection.

The fact is that the coverage area of ​​the Wi-Fi zone () strongly depends not only on the distance, but also on the materials from which structures and objects (walls, furniture...) are made that are within the radius of the wireless network, as well as on the level of associated radio frequency noise in house, apartment or office.

As a rule, it is the central and elevated placement of the router that makes it possible to provide each wireless network client with a stable and reliable Internet connection without the use of various devices (antennas, repeaters...) that amplify the Wi-Fi signal. Of course, if the area of ​​your office or home is large, then you cannot do without such signal amplifying devices as a repeater.

Remember that to effectively radiate a Wi-Fi signal, the router should be installed in the center and in an elevated place, where there are fewer obstacles and obstacles to create a strong and stable wireless connection between the source (router) and clients (computers, tablets...) of the home network.

2. If possible, try to place the devices involved in wireless communication on the same line as the router. Now I will explain what I mean. For example, a wall about 5 meters thick at an angle of 45 degrees presents an obstacle to a Wi-Fi signal 1 meter thick. But the same wall, but at an angle of 2 degrees, will be a difficult barrier to overcome for a Wi-Fi signal 14 meters thick. Now you understand that for better signal reception, the device must be positioned so that the signal coming from the router passes straight through the wall (structure, ceiling), and not at an angle.


3. It should be said that structures and objects that occur in the path of the Wi-Fi signal, depending on the material from which they are made, have different effects on the range of the wireless network. That is, metal structures (doors, partitions...) made of aluminum or iron will most likely have a bad effect on the range of wireless communications in the house.

Also, for a good level of wireless communication, you need to avoid passing the Wi-Fi signal through materials and objects such as steel, glass, water (aquarium), cabinets, mirrors, as well as brick, concrete and walls covered with insulation. It is desirable that access points, wireless routers, clients (laptop, tablet...) be located in such a way that the Wi-Fi signal overcomes the barriers listed above less and passes freely through open doorways, dry masonry walls, and so on.


4. In addition to physical obstacles to the Wi-Fi signal, there are also wireless sources of interference. These include a microwave oven, a cordless telephone operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (the base distributes the signal even when the phone is not in use), your neighbors' wireless router, Bluetooth devices, a wireless baby monitor and other wireless devices operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. Also, the Wi-Fi router should be kept further (at least 1-2 meters) from electrical devices and electronic devices, which are a source of radio frequency noise.


To avoid the negative influence of extraneous radio signals (for example, a neighbor’s router) that create background noise in a wireless home Wi-Fi network that must be overcome all the time, simply select/change the channel (frequency range) where the amount of interference is least. To determine the channel with the least congestion and minimal interference, you can use a good free program for diagnosing Wi-Fi networks inSSIDer (I wrote about how to use the inSSIDer utility).

Once you determine a less congested channel for your wireless network, you need to change it. Usually to log in to the admin. panel of the router in the address bar you need to enter 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1, and in the form the data (by default Login and Password for admin login) written at the bottom of the Wi-Fi router. Click on the “Wireless Settings” tab, select the appropriate channel number and click on the “Save” button. The image below used a TP-Link router as an example.


It should be remembered that some devices do not support operation on channels above 11 and may not see the access point, and the automatic mode does not always correctly determine the most suitable channel. As you understand, it makes sense to choose a channel that is in the range from 1 to 11, but if you are sure that all devices (tablet, laptop...) participating in the Wi-Fi wireless network support the channel you selected above 11, then this In this case, any suitable channel can be used.

5. Also, a poor Wi-Fi connection may be due to outdated, crude (not modified by the manufacturer), crooked (reworked by enthusiasts) firmware on the router. To fix this, you need to update the firmware (read how to update the firmware on a TP-Link router). As a rule, if the firmware has not been finalized or is outdated, the manufacturers of this Wi-Fi router model correct the errors and post it on the official website for free access.

Before updating the firmware, be sure to (usually this is the “RESET” button), disconnect all patch cords (patch cords) from it except the computer from which the update will be performed, provide the computer and router with a source uninterruptible power supply(UPS), and also make sure that the firmware downloaded from the official website is compatible with your router model.

Do not neglect these simple rules because they will save you from going to the service center.

6. No matter how trivial it may sound, a weak router signal may also be due to incorrectly directed antennas. Now I’ll explain what I’m talking about. The fact is that antennas emit Wi-Fi signals in a circle-like shape, which are positioned in space perpendicular to the antenna. The image below shows the recommended antenna placement that will suit typical apartments, houses and offices. Depending on the features and layout of the room/building, you can try to rotate (spread) the antennas to achieve good wireless coverage throughout the entire planned Wi-Fi zone.


As you can see, for Wi-Fi router number one, in order to cover a large area, it is better to position the antenna vertically rather than at an angle of 45 degrees. Because the signal emitted by an inclined antenna will be directed to the floor and roof. And for routers number two and three (the middle antenna is vertical), the best solution is to position the antennas at an angle of 45 degrees in order to cover as much of the area as possible in different directions with wireless Wi-Fi communications.

7. If you have a large area at home or office that needs to be provided with a stable and reliable wireless network, then you can try to strengthen the signal and expand the Wi-Fi zone. If the design of the router allows, then you can try replacing the antenna with a more powerful one (5 dBi, 8 dBi...) or strengthening/expanding the existing signal using special devices.


For example, you can install a Wi-Fi repeater between the source and receiver, which can eliminate signal loss and provide good quality wireless network communications. Yes, wireless Wi-Fi has become a part of our lives, and these simple recommendations will hopefully help you create a high-quality and stable home network. Also remember not to let your neighbors use your traffic.

The peculiarity of Wi-Fi is that the signal is divided equally between all devices connected to the wireless network and, as a result, everyone’s Internet connection speed decreases. However, this is not entirely fair to the new Wi-Fi standards. For example, and.