Wi-Fi Extender, Mesh System or a Better Router Position? How to Fix Weak Wi-Fi

If Wi-Fi is slow or drops out in one part of your home or office, the fix is not always a new device. Start with the free changes, then choose between an extender, a mesh system or a wired access point. This guide sets out the order we would try them in.

Step 1: the free fixes

Start with where the router sits. Put it somewhere open and central, not in a cupboard, behind the TV or on the floor. Keep it away from power cables, microwave ovens, fluorescent lights, wireless cameras and cordless phones, which can all interfere with the signal.

Walls and floors matter too. Wood, glass and plasterboard let Wi-Fi through fairly easily. Brick and water, including large fish tanks, weaken it more. Concrete and plaster weaken it a lot, and metal blocks it almost completely. A concrete floor with metal reinforcing between the router and your device can cut the signal badly, which is why the room directly above or below the router is sometimes the weakest spot.

If you can, move the router closer to the rooms where you use Wi-Fi most, then test again before buying anything.

Step 2: let the router do its job

Most routers broadcast on two frequencies. The 2.4 GHz frequency reaches further but is slower and more crowded, because Bluetooth devices and neighbouring networks share it. The 5 GHz frequency is faster over shorter distances. Many routers move devices between the two automatically, which works best when both share one network name.

Restarting the router also helps. When it starts up, it usually picks the least crowded channel, which can improve speed if your neighbours’ Wi-Fi is busy.

Step 3: extender, mesh or access point

If moving the router has not fixed the weak spots, there are three ways to add coverage.

A wireless extender, sometimes called a repeater, picks up your router’s signal and repeats it from wherever you place it. It is usually the cheapest option, but it typically gives you less speed than the router itself. It can also be fiddly to set up, and your devices may need to reconnect as you move around.

A mesh system is designed to cover a whole home or business. A main unit connects to your internet, and extra units sit around the building. They all share one network name and password, and they work together so you get good speed even far from the main unit. Mesh is simple to set up, but it costs more because you need several units.

A wired access point connects to your router with a network cable and adds Wi-Fi where you place it. Give it the same network name and password as your router, so your devices move between them smoothly. If you can run a cable, this gives the most reliable result.

How we would choose

For one weak room, move the router or the device first. For several weak areas in a larger or multi-storey property, a mesh system is usually the simplest choice and, where cost is not a concern, usually the best, although it can be more than a small home needs. Where network cabling is already in place, use a wired access point. A business that relies on video calls should plan its coverage properly rather than adding equipment one unit at a time.

Test before and after

On a Mac, run Wireless Diagnostics in the weak spot before you change anything, and again afterwards. Hold the Option key, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and choose Open Wireless Diagnostics. It lists any problems it finds, with suggested fixes, and does not change your settings. You can also choose Wi-Fi Recommendations from the same menu.

If your Mac will not connect at all, our guide to fixing a Mac that will not connect to Wi-Fi covers it.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not buy equipment before you have tried a better router position. Do not give each unit its own network name, because devices can stay stuck on the weaker signal. Keep the router and any extra units away from metal, concrete floors and other obstructions.

Need a hand?

We can check your coverage and recommend what will actually fix it. See our Wi-Fi & Home Networks service for homes, our Networks, NAS, Wi-Fi & Printers service for businesses, or contact Your Mac Tech.