How To Improve WiFi Network Coverage?

Weak WiFi signal, dead zones, or slow speeds are common. This guide covers practical steps to improve coverage: router placement, WiFi extenders, mesh systems, channel selection, and firmware updates.

Place Your Router in a Central, Open Location

WiFi is radio: walls, floors, metal, and appliances weaken the signal. Place the router in a central spot so the signal reaches as much of the home as possible. Avoid hiding it in a cabinet, behind the TV, or in a corner. Keep it off the floor (e.g. on a shelf or desk) so the signal isn’t blocked by furniture. Antennas should be upright; if they’re adjustable, try different angles. Moving the router even a metre can sometimes fix a dead zone. If the modem and router are separate, place the router where you need coverage, not necessarily next to the modem—you can use a long Ethernet cable to connect them.

Reduce Interference from Other Devices

WiFi uses 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. 2.4 GHz travels farther but is more crowded (microwaves, baby monitors, Bluetooth, and neighbouring WiFi use it). 5 GHz is faster and often less congested but doesn’t penetrate walls as well. Keep the router away from microwaves, cordless phones, and other strong transmitters. If you have dual-band, use 5 GHz for devices close to the router and 2.4 GHz for distant ones. In the router settings you can often see which channel is busiest and switch to a less crowded one (see below).

Choose the Right WiFi Channel

Routers broadcast on a channel (a specific frequency). If your neighbours use the same channel, you get interference and slower speeds. Log in to your router (e.g. 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) and find Wireless or WiFi settings. For 2.4 GHz, channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping; pick the one with the least traffic. For 5 GHz there are more channels; choose one that isn’t crowded. Some routers have auto channel selection—try it, but if performance is poor, set a channel manually. See TP-Link, NETGEAR, or your brand’s page for where to change the channel.

Use a WiFi Extender or Repeater

A WiFi extender (repeater) receives the signal from your router and rebroadcasts it, so you get coverage in another room or floor. Place the extender roughly halfway between the router and the dead zone—not at the far end. Configure it with the same WiFi name (SSID) and password as the main router so devices roam; or use a different SSID if your devices don’t switch well. Extenders can cut speed in half because they receive and retransmit on the same band. For better performance, use an extender that supports a dedicated backhaul or consider a mesh system (see below).

Consider a Mesh WiFi System

A mesh system uses multiple units (nodes) that work together to form one network. You place one node at the router (connected by Ethernet or as the main router) and others in different rooms. Devices connect to the nearest node and roam as you move. Mesh usually gives better coverage and smoother roaming than a single router plus extender. You can add more nodes if you have a large home. Setup is often done via an app. Mesh is more expensive than a simple extender but is a good option if you have many dead zones or multiple floors.

Use Ethernet Where Possible

For devices that don’t move (PC, TV, console), Ethernet is faster and more stable than WiFi. Run a cable from the router (or a switch) to the device. If the router is far away, you can use a powerline adapter (sends data over the electrical wiring) and then Ethernet from the adapter to the device. That way you don’t rely on WiFi for that device and free WiFi capacity for phones and tablets.

Update Router Firmware

Router manufacturers release firmware updates that fix bugs and sometimes improve performance or stability. Log in to the router and check Firmware Update, System Update, or Administration. Install the latest version. You can also download the correct firmware from the manufacturer’s support site and upload it in the router interface. Do not power off during the update. See your router brand’s page (e.g. TP-Link, D-Link, NETGEAR) for steps.

Restart the Router and Test Speed

Sometimes a simple restart (power off, wait 10 seconds, power on) fixes slow or unstable WiFi. After changing placement, channel, or firmware, test with Internet Speed Test from different rooms. Use the same device and same distance to compare. If speed is still low, check your internet plan and modem; the bottleneck may be the connection from the ISP, not WiFi.

Check WiFi Security and Connected Devices

If someone else is using your WiFi without permission, your speed and stability can suffer. Use a strong WiFi password (WPA2 or WPA3) and change the router admin password. Check the list of connected devices in the router interface; if you see unknown devices, change the WiFi password and consider blocking that device. See How to Protect Your WiFi Network for more.