Boost WiFi Signal and Speed: 8 Fixes That Work
Boost your WiFi signal and speed with 8 fixes: test, move the router, restart and update, use the right band and channel, remove hogs and add mesh.
- Test speed next to the router and in the slow room.
- Move the router to a high, central, open spot.
- Restart it and update the firmware.
- Use 5 GHz nearby and change crowded WiFi channels.
- Add a mesh system for large homes.
I have watched my WiFi bars drop to one in the back room, and it drives me mad. The router works fine up close, but at the far end the signal gives up.
A weak signal is often a placement problem, not a broken router. This guide shows you 9 fixes that boost your signal and speed, from the quickest move to a new setup. Move your router to a central, open spot to boost your WiFi signal and speed.
1. Test your speed first
In my experience, this is the part that trips most people up.
Run a speed test next to the router and again where the WiFi is slow. If speed is good next to the router but poor elsewhere, it is a WiFi coverage problem. If it is slow everywhere, check your plan and the modem, or follow our no internet guide.
2. Move the router
I have seen this done wrong more than once, so I keep it simple here.
- Place it in a central, open spot, ideally at chest height or higher.
- Keep it out of cabinets, away from the floor and away from thick walls, metal and fish tanks.
- Keep it at least a metre from microwaves, cordless phone bases and baby monitors.
- Point external antennas in different directions, for example one vertical and one horizontal.
3. Restart and update
I check this before I change anything else.
Restart the router to clear temporary faults, then log in and check for a firmware update. Updates often improve speed and stability. See how to restart a router.
4. Use the right band
I treat this as a quick check, not a deep setting.
Connect devices close to the router to 5 GHz (or 6 GHz on WiFi 6E and 7 routers) for speed. Use 2.4 GHz for devices far away or behind several walls. Read our comparison of 2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz.
5. Change the WiFi channel
I would rather confirm it now than fix it later.
In apartments, many networks on the same channel slow each other down. In the wireless settings, try channels 1, 6 or 11 on 2.4 GHz, or let the router choose automatically. On 5 GHz there are more channels and less overlap.
6. Remove bandwidth hogs
I always start with the router page for this.
Check the connected devices list. Large downloads, cloud backups and 4K streams slow everyone else. Use QoS (Quality of Service) to give priority to video calls or gaming, and remove devices you do not recognise.
7. Add a mesh system or extender
In my experience, this is the part that trips most people up.
- Mesh WiFi uses two or more units that work as one network. Best for large or multi-storey homes.
- WiFi extender is a cheap way to cover one weak room, but usually halves speed on that link.
- Powerline or Ethernet backhaul connects a second access point by cable for the best results.
8. Upgrade old equipment
I have seen this done wrong more than once, so I keep it simple here.
Routers more than five or six years old often lack WiFi 6 and get no security updates. A WiFi 6 or WiFi 7 router handles many devices far better. Older laptops and phones with WiFi 4 adapters also limit speed.
Quick fixes at a glance
I check this before I change anything else.
| Problem | Best fix |
|---|---|
| Weak signal in far rooms | Move the router or add mesh |
| Slow in the evening | Change channel, use QoS |
| Slow on one device | Update drivers, use 5 GHz |
| Drops in and out | Restart, update firmware |
| Slow everywhere | Check plan, modem and provider |
Common things that quietly weaken WiFi
I treat this as a quick check, not a deep setting.
Some WiFi killers aren’t obvious until you know to look for them:
- Mirrors and fish tanks: water and metal-backed glass absorb and reflect signal.
- Microwaves: they use the 2.4 GHz band and can cause drops while running.
- Baby monitors and cordless phones: older models share 2.4 GHz.
- Router hidden in a cabinet: wood isn’t bad, but metal cabinets and TV stands are.
- Floor-level routers: signal spreads outwards and slightly down, so up high is better.
- Neighbours’ networks: in flats, crowded channels are often the main problem.
A 10-minute WiFi tune-up
I would rather confirm it now than fix it later.
- Run a speed test next to the router and in your worst room. Note both.
- Move the router to a higher, more central spot if you can.
- Restart the router and check for firmware updates.
- Switch to 5 GHz on devices close to the router.
- Check connected devices and remove anything you don’t recognise.
- Run the speed tests again and compare.
If the speed next to the router is low, the problem is your internet plan or line, not WiFi. Contact your ISP rather than buying new equipment.
