poor wi-fi coverage at home

[xfactor9]

I'm getting tired of dropped WiFi signals upstairs. I'm unable to move the WiFi router/modem to a different location, so it looks like I will have to get something better.

What wireless router has good range? Or should I be looking at powerline ethernet? I have a spare wifi router that can be attached to powerline ethernet to extend the range

The devices in my house are 802.11n. My currently router is 802.11n

 

[mclasser]

Why can't you move your router/modem? What type of router do you have now? If it has adjustable antennas, try adjusting those first. Also, play with the router channels to avoid interference from other networks.

 

[spk2000]

Have you looked into what is called a WIFI extender. I have not tried them but have seen them and maybe it could help.

 

[Koz1]

Nighthawk WiFi Range Extender EX7000 works great for me.
at 25% signal it gives us 100% connection everywhere.
Set channel to Auto.
How many networks are in your area ( when wifi is looking for a connection ) and house construction?

 

[Ga129]

Originally Posted By: spk2000
Have you looked into what is called a WIFI extender. I have not tried them but have seen them and maybe it could help.


These work fairly well actually. You could also wire your second router to the upstairs from the main router and just do it that way. You actually have a lot of options. The problem with wifi signals is that they don't technically go through the walls, they more or less have to go around to get to the device. In a small house that's no problem, but when you're talking another story above it, it becomes hard. Wifi extenders are popular because they connect to the main router wirelessly and give you more range, but you will still take a hit in speeds because now your devices signal is going through the extender to get to the main router. Ultimately it is up to you OP, and how much money you want to spend.

 

[xfactor9]

I can't move the modem/router because the house has only one phone jack wired for data, so the modem has to be in this room. Already played w/ the router's wifi channel settings. Didn't help.

I know about wifi extenders and don't think it would work for me due to the layout of my house, and the lack of eletrical outlets in the middle of the house. A powerline ethernet w/ wifi router is basically the same solution but more flexible

 

[Rolla07]

What model router do you have now? Alot of factors to consider as mentioned above..# of networks in ur area..construction of your home etc. Personally id rather get a stronger router and avoid powerlines etc...if possible..wont always be. Provide us more details and we should be able to make better suggestions.

 

[mattwithcats]

Modem can be moved a little, longer phone cord.
Connection to router (Cat5e or Cat 6) can be up to 100 meters (300 feet)

I like the Linksys EA2700, refurbished units are available for around $25....

Dual band, 2.4 and 5 Ghz, gigabit wired speed, and decent range

 

[xfactor9]

Originally Posted By: Rolla07
What model router do you have now? Alot of factors to consider as mentioned above..# of networks in ur area..construction of your home etc. Personally id rather get a stronger router and avoid powerlines etc...if possible..wont always be. Provide us more details and we should be able to make better suggestions.


Wood frame construction, 2 story house, slab foundation. Modem is a Pace 4111 DSL w/ built in Wifi, on the first floor. Signal is -68db to -71db in the room upstairs where the connection drops occasionally.

I found 8 different wifi networks nearby, on various channels

 

[Rand]

disable the built in router and use a better separate router

most of the gateway devices have below average wireless range.

 

[BubbaFL]

Most wifi repeaters will cut your network throughput substantially.

If you want awesome wifi signal strength and max speed, get a Nighthawk R7000 - http://amzn.to/1kxNDtm

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: xfactor9
Originally Posted By: Rolla07
What model router do you have now? Alot of factors to consider as mentioned above..# of networks in ur area..construction of your home etc. Personally id rather get a stronger router and avoid powerlines etc...if possible..wont always be. Provide us more details and we should be able to make better suggestions.


Wood frame construction, 2 story house, slab foundation. Modem is a Pace 4111 DSL w/ built in Wifi, on the first floor. Signal is -68db to -71db in the room upstairs where the connection drops occasionally.

I found 8 different wifi networks nearby, on various channels





Get a lynksys

http://www.linksys.com/us/c/wireless-routers/

 

[Nick R]

Personally I have one of these.
http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-Archer-C5-...ords=tp-link+c5

It has the best range and most consistent coverage of any router I've ever had. It's also well priced, and I've never had any issues with reliability. I've never had to power cycle it for issues before (although it only acts as a dumb AP, since I use a pfsense box for firewall/dhcp/dns/routing duties) If you still need better coverage, pick up some of these and put them on.

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Power-Antenn...ds=9dbi+antenna

 

[bvance554]

I'd start with any Linksys or Netgear router. Anything would be an upgrade from your modem/router.

 

[shinyWheels]

Use the 5.8 band if you can. The 2.4 band is very crowded.

 

[Merkava_4]

My wireless router is a Pace Model 5031NV-030. Works good.

 

[Andrew1972]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Most wifi repeaters will cut your network throughput substantially.



+1, I tried a RE1000 linksys repeater at max thruput was 5Mbps which is barely HD.

Instead I ran a long ethernet to my old WRT54G(2007 vintage!) and did some steps on internet:
1) turned off DHCP and swapped from gateway to router setting.
2) set router address to 192.168.1.2 (different from "parent" router)
3) set up wifi name and credentials(password) same as parent router
4) plugged ethernet not into WAN but into one of the 4 ports in switch piece.

The wifi thruput is similar to my main router of around 25Mbps on RE3000. Sadly the home has 80 Mbps internet speed on LAN(wire) but don't see enough benefit to spend $100+ on faster router in terms of wifi speed.

 

[Ramblejam]

Originally Posted By: xfactor9
so it looks like I will have to get something better.


Yes, and the solution here is an easy one with the routers that are available today.

Do not purchase, and additionally get rid of any range boosters/extenders, powerline adapters, etc.

Purchase this: http://amzn.com/B00Z0V2NQ8 and be happy!

 

[cat843]

The TP-Link Archer C7 seems highly rated from online articles rating routers. I just picked up one for a little over $100

My older Vizio router seems to drop and pick up sometimes, so its got to go as I work from home using a VPN into my companie's mainframe and I get knocked off the VPN when the router acts up.

 

[uc50ic4more]

If you are pathologically frugal like me, instead of throwing money at the problem you could always just Google "DIY Wifi extender" and for pennies build yourself a strange/ ugly-looking apparatus that will both direct and extend your WiFi signal. I did this years ago and no longer have the (ridiculously simple) instructions on hand but there are plans a' plenty on the internet.