7 ways to improve your Wi-Fi signal at home or in the office

How many times have you been frustrated because you had work to do and the wireless connection was sluggish? Especially with so many devices connected to it… These days, even the fridge can be “on Wi-Fi.”

A stable wireless connection has become almost a must, especially since working from home became commonplace. But the same goes for the office. If you use laptops, it’s much more convenient to use the wireless connection rather than a network cable.

In this article, we’ll give you some practical tips for improving wireless connectivity, at home or in the office.

Before we blame the router and get upset and frustrated, we need to make sure the network performs as it should over a network cable… So we don’t blame the router’s antennas unfairly…

Upgrade your router’s firmware

Wireless signal problems are often caused by the router’s software. The manufacturer may already have fixed them, but not all routers update automatically.

For good wireless performance, and for better security, it’s a good idea to upgrade the firmware whenever a new update comes out.

Before you do that, though, you need to back up the router’s configuration, so you can restore it if something unexpected happens. Newer routers let you update the firmware directly from the admin interface or from the phone app, without having to go to the manufacturer’s website and download the update, as you had to in the old days. Many even update themselves if you select this option.

If the manufacturer no longer publishes updates for your model, it’s time to replace the router: a router without security updates is an open door into your network.

Place the router in an optimal spot

One of the best tips for optimizing a wireless network is to place the router in an optimal spot, so the signal can reach every point where you need it. What’s more, do your best not to cover the router and not to put anything in front of it.

Wireless network equipment should be placed in plain sight, not hidden in cabinets or other nooks. The simplest thing is to find a spot for the router in the middle of the house or the room, so it can spread the Wi-Fi signal everywhere.

If the device has external antennas, point them vertically. To find out exactly which spot is best for the router, use an app such as Heatmapper, which draws a map of the signal.

Use both frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz

Create two separate networks, one operating on the 2.4 GHz frequency and the other on 5 GHz. Connect all compatible devices to the 5 GHz network and use the 2.4 GHz network only to connect older devices.

The 5 GHz network offers better transfer speeds, but it also helps you avoid some interference, since far fewer devices use this frequency than 2.4 GHz. On the other hand, it has a shorter range and doesn’t go through walls as easily.

If the router allows it, give both networks the same name (both the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz one). This way, devices will pick the better connection “on their own.”

Newer routers, with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, also use the 6 GHz band, which is even less crowded but has an even shorter range. Only compatible devices can connect to it.

Adjust the wireless channel

Another effective way to reduce interference is to adjust the wireless channels the router uses. Modern network equipment picks the least crowded channels on its own, but we can’t say the same about old routers.

You can always use an app to identify which channels are in use near you, and if the automatic setting isn’t effective enough, you can optimize the network by choosing a less crowded channel.

Do this kind of check whenever you feel wireless performance has gotten worse.

Check for and block uninvited guests

Funny or not, your neighbors may be using your wireless network if you gave them the password at some point.

Check the router and, if you have uninvited guests, block their access. The simplest way is to change the wireless network password. That way, you get rid of freeloaders very easily.

For visitors, create a separate guest network, and protect your main network with WPA2 or, preferably, WPA3 and a long password. You’ll find more tips in the article on how to secure your office or home wireless network.

Implement QoS (Quality of Service) rules

QoS, or Quality of Service, rules let you prioritize certain types of traffic. For example, if you work from home, you’ll want your conferencing app to always take priority over YouTube streaming.

These kinds of rules help you boost performance for important services.

Extend the signal’s range with additional equipment

If there’s no way to place the router so it covers everywhere you need it, we recommend buying additional equipment to extend the network.

You can choose either an access point or a range extender, depending on the distance between the devices. APs connect to the main router by cable, while range extenders connect wirelessly.

An increasingly common option is mesh systems: several units that form a single network, with the same name, and automatically hand devices off from one unit to another as you move around. Large offices use centrally managed access points, placed after an on-site signal survey.

Which Wi-Fi standard should you choose in 2026?

For new equipment, choose at least Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 are worth it especially if you have many compatible devices and a busy office.

Wi-Fi 6 handles networks with many connected devices much better. Wi-Fi 6E adds the 6 GHz band, and Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), certified since January 2024, brings even higher speeds and can use several bands at once. But the devices matter too: an old laptop with Wi-Fi 5 doesn’t get any faster just because the router is new.

For other common problems, see also common Wi-Fi network problems and fixes.

RezolvIT is an IT outsourcing company that successfully supports the companies it works with, whether that means securing their infrastructure or enabling employees to work remotely.