Page 38 - Oxted Local April 2025

38 April 2025 • Oxted Local 
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Let’s face it – few things are more
frustrating than erratic Wi-Fi. One
moment, you’re streaming your
favourite show in 4K, the next, you
are convinced your devices are
communication using semaphore
rather than wifi. If your Wi-Fi isn’t
reaching every corner of your
home, there are some simple ways
to boost your signal and banish
blackspots.
Location, Location, Location -
Your wifi signal (and related range)
can depend greatly on where the
router is located. Wi-Fi signals will
lose strength as they penetrate
walls, furniture, fishtanks, metal
objects, people etc. If you can
position it as centrally to all the
rooms as you can, and as high up
as is practical.
Avoid placing the router near
other electronic items such
microwaves, cordless phones, baby
monitors as they can interfere with
the wireless signal.
Upgrade Your Router – If your
router is old enough to remember
dial-up, it is time for an upgrade.
The newer routers have improved
signal quality and coverage. If
you can face the menu options,
and terrible hold music, give your
service provider a call and request
a newer router. They may upgrade
you free of charge. Some may
even offer you some
T I P S
TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY
Wi-Fi Extenders – Extenders link
to your current router and boost
the signal. They are helpful for
extending to a room (or two) with
low signal. They need to have a
strong signal to “pass on” so make
sure they are located midway
between the router and where you
need the signal.
Powerline Adapters – If thick
walls are blocking your signal,
powerline adapters could be
your answer. These adapters
send internet data through your
electrical wiring – plug one in near
your router and another in the
problem room, and it is like you
have run a cable all the way from
the router to the device. Some
models include built-in Wi-Fi to
extend coverage wirelessly.
Mesh Wi-Fi – This is the current
Gold Standard for Coverage.
If you have a large or oddly
shaped home, or it is just full of
mysterious Wi-Fi black holes,
the above solutions may not be
sufficient. A number of “nodes”
are placed around the house and
they all communicate with each
other rather than directly with the
router. Unlike extenders, mesh
networks don’t require switching
between the signals from the
router or other boosters. Your
devices automatically connect to
the strongest “node”.
Wi-Fi Settings - Change your
Wi-Fi channel. Too many people /
devices on the same channel can
cause congestion for that radio
channel. Changing the channel will
involve accessing the menu and
advanced settings on the router
but there are plenty of guides on
how to do this online. Perhaps also
consider using an Ethernet Cable
for key devices if they are in reach
of the router.
Hopefully one or two of these
solutions will get you back online
with minimal effort.
© Martin Middleton - I.T.Aide (see
page 8 for contact details)
Wifi or Nofi ?