7 Tips to Improve WIFI Signal for Your Garage
Tips to Improve Wifi Signal for Garage
Garages are often constructed of solid WIFI signal blocking materials such as concrete and steel (or thick walls of any kind) and so, we often have a poor or even useless coverage in the ‘project’ room.
Most of us have superb coverage in our houses, and so we expect the same even in the outlying areas of our property.
Unfortunately, the intensity of the signal is not always the desired strength in our garage. Often we might not even receive enough WIFI signal in the garage to make it even ‘useable’ never mind strong.
In this article, we are going to show you how to boost your WIFI signal so it can reach deep into your garage.
#1 Analyze the Problem
The first thing you should do before taking any action to improve the Wi-Fi connection is to analyze the situation. You should try to find out the origin of the problem.
The most advisable thing is to record the quality of the signal in different rooms of the house, paying attention to the signal and speed indicator that appears in the “connection details.”
First thing. We must understand that not all routers are equal. It is something that explains why if you change your operator and previously did not have optimal power, you will experience superior WIFI speed without having to fix anything at all.
Checking the positioning of the router and checking that the neighbor (especially his geek son) is not stealing your Wi-Fi signal is also essential. To achieve this, applications such as Wireless Network Watcher are beneficial.
At this point, it is worth mentioning that the number of devices connected at the same time dramatically influences the quality of the signal.
The simple truth is, if we need to connect with more than six simultaneously, it would be better to invest in a higher tariff. Talk to your provider or jump ship for better service.
#2 Position the Router Correctly
Although most of us are aware of some basic requirements when placing the router, the location is, too often, conditioned by the place that the technician found most comfortable.
This means that it is usually where the network termination point is located or next to the ONT (optical network terminal) for optical fiber.
It can end up installed on the opposite side of the house where we have a computer. Ideally, it should be lactated it in the central area of our home. Therefore, the connection is good from all corners of the home and possibly reaches out to remote areas such as the humble garage.
For those homes that have more than one floor, the upper ones the optimum because radio waves spread better with fewer obstacles in their way.
The position of the antennas (if there is one) is also fundamental. Although routers’ antenna appears vertically to the device, this position is not always ideal. They appear this way for merely aesthetic reasons. If there is a WIFI problem in your garage, try to adjust the antenna position as well. It is simple, but it helps!
#3 Keep Your Device Updated
When we talk about keeping our devices updated, we are referring to the router’s firmware. To know the current firmware version, you must go to the configuration page in the admin section (check the back of the router for the IP address).
Old computers and Smartphones will also have lower signal than newer ones. Upgrade if you need.
#4 Change the Antenna
Most users use the antenna that the internet provider gives them in the standard set up. However, even though these are adequate to cover most needs, they may fall short in certain situations.
If this is our case (as it must be if you are reading this), replace it with a more powerful or higher gain model, this is only possible for routers that have an external antenna. To install, unscrew the old one and place the new one in the same place.
When it comes to choosing a new antenna, we should look at the amplification level – which should exceed 8 dB. There are different types of antenna, there are omnidirectional – that distribute the signal in all directions, and others that allow directing the signal manually and these are known as directional or unidirectional.
#5 Use an Amplifier
Installing an extender or amplifier (with or without a PLC – see below) is one of the most effective solutions when it comes to improving the signal in the garage. The simplest ones detect the Wi-Fi signal, copy the most important parameters and security protocols, and create an entirely new signal.
PLC adapters use the electrical network. One of them will have to be connected to the router by an Ethernet cable. They are more expensive but do not depend on the Wi-Fi network of the main router.
Another option is to buy an extra (or use an old router) connecting it with the network cable. You should perform some modifications to make it act as a repeater network Wi-Fi router. In principle, it will double the distance covered.
We will configure the IP of the secondary router and the forwarding of the requests to the DHCP server of the main router. For example, let’s say the main one has the address 192.187.1.1, well we will assign 192.187.1.2. Enable DHCP Server Relay should include the IP of the primary router. Save, restart, and ready.
#6 Eliminate Unused Channels
Sometimes using the wrong signal channel will affect the Wi-Fi signal. Unfortunately, a common problem in large cities is the massification of the frequency spectrum that, if saturated, can lower the connection.
To avoid this and after entering the configuration of the router, you should choose an unused channel (or the least saturated in the absence of an unused channel). Then, analyze the networks that you have around. It helps you to change the channel from the configuration options above.
The most common is 6 and the 2.4 GHz band, although not all devices are created equal, so we must ensure that this is the case before changing it. Other equally useful apps to prevent our connection from “clashing with our neighbors” are Network Analyzer for iOS, Netgear Genie for Android and iOS, WiFi Analytics and WiFiCoverage for PC.
#7 WIFI Reflector
Another trick that will allow us to improve the quality of the signal is to get some type of reflector. We even have the option of making it ourselves with metallic elements that make the signal bounce and prevent it from being lost through the wall. A simple can of soda will serve to begin.
First, we will empty it, remove the top part, and make several longitudinal cuts to be able to extend the aluminum. After that, we will place it just above the router. It is also possible to make a reflector with silver foil, a metal colander, a canister, and various containers. If this is all new for you, you can browse it on YouTube how to make it. There are many people out there who are doing it to good effect (though it may look a bit crude for the house but if you garage is your den and your workplace only …. who cares?). Hopefully, these tips help you to make your garage WIFI ready.
