Most homes have WiFi connection, although the signal quality is not always as good as we would like. There are many factors that influence the functioning of a wireless Internet network. In this post we are going to see how to measure wifi signal at home.
Performing this measurement will help us to Identify areas with good coverage and at the same time, detect potential dead spotsHaving the most accurate “map” possible of our home WiFi signal can help us know exactly what to do to improve coverage.
The signal strength is expressed in decibels (-dBm), on a scale ranging from 0 to -100. The lower this value, the stronger the signal. For example, a signal of -25 dBm indicates that the signal is relatively strong, while a value of -90 dBm clearly reflects a very weak signal.
One factor to take into account when measuring the WiFi signal at home is the background noise. If this is too high, it will negatively affect the signal strength. This noise is also measured in -dBm on a scale of o to -100.
Finally, the SNR (signal-to-noise ratio), measured in +dBm, is the ratio that tells us the power between the signal strength and the noise level. This is the value that we really need to know. An example: If we have a signal strength of -30 dBm and a noise level of -40 dBm, this will result in a poor signal-to-noise ratio of +10 dBm.
Let's see below what methods we have to carry out these measurements at home:
From the information of the router or a connected device
The first thing we can do to measure the WiFi signal at home is to check the configuration of our router. To do this, we must connect to the router's administration interface from the Internet. We must follow these steps:
- In the computer, we open the browser and, in the address bar, we write 192.168.1.1 (sometimes we can also try with 192.168.0.1).
- Then we introduce the username and password.
- Then we have to dive into the different sections until we find the one that refers to the signal strength for each of the devices we have connected.
Another easy way to find out the information we are looking for is to do it via a connected device. For example, if it is a smartphone, go to the Settings menu, then to the Connections section, and finally to WiFi, where information about the connection speed will appear.
Using an app
It is even easier to use the services of a mobile application specialized in measuring the WiFi signal in our homes. The three apps we have selected can offer us fairly accurate data:
- Meteor. It helps us measure the upload speed and make a fairly accurate diagnosis of the speed of our Internet connection. These are the download links for Android and to iOS.
- Speedtest. A free app (although it contains many ads), very popular and easy to use. It is also available in Android as in iOS.
How to improve the WiFi signal at home
Despite all these solutions and tools, in many cases knowing only the speed or signal strength data is not enough. And in many homes, due to the special layout of the house, The signal is weaker or less stable in some rooms than in others..
Luckily, there are some tips we can follow to improve the WiFi signal at home. Here are some ideas:
Find a better router location
Although the usual tendency is to place the router near the phone or computer that we use most frequently, it is much more convenient look for a more central location within the home. By doing this, we will achieve a more uniform signal distribution.
This tip is very effective in single-level apartments or houses, as long as there are not many architectural obstacles and hidden rooms.
Orient the antennas correctly
Although it may seem like a superfluous accessory, the router antennas are there to serve a purpose: to correctly direct the signal. By default, The most recommended position is vertical., which paradoxically ensures a horizontal diffusion of waves.
However, if we live in a house with several floors, it is better to tilt them at an angle of approximately 45º, in order to direct the signal upwards or downwards. And if we have a router with two antennas, it is more appropriate to place one vertically and the other horizontally, thus ensuring the expansion of the signal in all directions.
Use extenders
For large homes or those with solid walls blocking the signal, the use of extenders or repeaters is the best solution. For example, in a two-story house, it is best to place the router on one floor and an extender on the other.
There are countless models of WiFi signal extenders, with different capacities and specifications. Choosing the one or ones we need will depend largely on the characteristics of our home.