How can I check my WiFi signal strength?

Lately, my internet seems slower, and I’m wondering if it’s a WiFi issue. Devices lag when streaming, and webpages take longer to load. What are some easy ways to check my WiFi signal strength to diagnose this problem?

You can definitely check your WiFi signal strength pretty easily, and it might help figure out why your internet is slow. Here’s a few methods for you to consider:

  1. Using a Built-In Tool on Your Computer or Smartphone:

    • Windows:
      Open the Settings menu, go to Network & Internet, and then Status. Here you can see your connected WiFi’s signal strength. It’s not super detailed but can give you a quick glance.
    • Mac:
      Hold the Option key and click the WiFi icon on the menu bar. This shows a lot of detailed info, including ‘RSSI’ which indicates signal strength. The closer to 0, the better.
    • Smartphones:
      Go to the WiFi settings; usually, you’ll see some kind of signal bar indicating strength.
  2. WiFi Analyzer Apps:

    • NetSpot Site Survey Software: This is a pretty solid app for checking WiFi signal. It offers a detailed heatmap of your WiFi coverage which can really help identify weak spots. One pro of NetSpot is it’s quite user-friendly even if you’re not super tech-savvy. A con, though, could be that the free version is somewhat limited in features.
    • Alternatives: There are other apps like Acrylic Wi-Fi and WiFi Analyzer, which are also good but might not offer the same depth of analysis or ease of use as NetSpot.
  3. Router Configuration Page:

    • You can access your router’s admin page via a web browser. Usually, you just type in your router’s IP address (like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1). The overview page often shows signal strength, bandwidth usage, and other diagnostic info.
  4. Command Line Tools:

    • For the more tech-savvy, you can use command-line tools to check signal strength.
      • Windows: Open Command Prompt and type netsh wlan show interfaces. Look for the “Signal” section.
      • Mac: Open Terminal and type sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I. Check “agrCtlRSSI” or “RSSI”.
  5. Mesh Network Data:

    • If you are using a mesh network, the app associated with your mesh system (like Eero, Google WiFi, or Orbi) will usually show signal strength for each node and connected devices. These systems usually provide quite user-friendly insights and visualizations.

Diagnosing WiFi issues with these methods can help you pinpoint whether your slowness is due to weak signal or if it’s an ISP issue or something else. Sometimes, repositioning your router or changing channels can alleviate issues.

Finally, if reconfiguration doesn’t cut it and your WiFi signal strength is consistently poor, it might be worth considering a mesh WiFi system or an extender to boost the coverage in your home.

Hope this helps!

So I see @techchizkid has already laid out some pretty solid methods to check your WiFi signal strength. :+1:

I’d like to add a bit more context to spice things up a bit. One quick note – while they mentioned various apps and built-in tools, sometimes we overlook the environment stuff that literally obstructs our WiFi. Walls, metal objects, and even refrigerators can be major culprits. So a physical survey of your living space can sometimes reveal hidden issues.

Okay, let’s dive into a couple of complementary tips:

  • Bandwidth Hogs: Sometimes you might not even have signal issues but plain old bandwidth jam. Check if someone in your house is downloading huge files or streaming 4K content, as that can eat up a lot of your available bandwidth. Some routers have Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritize certain devices or types of traffic.

  • Update Router Firmware: Outdated firmware can result in performance bottlenecks. Check your router manufacturer’s website for updates.

And a lil’ controversial twist here: I’d actually say some of the analyzer apps like “WiFi Analyzer” can be just as thorough as NetSpot, even though techchizkid mentioned it might not be as user-friendly. If you’re feeling adventurous and don’t mind a bit of a learning curve, these alternatives can be cost-effective.

What’s your ISP Speed?: Before you dive too deep into WiFi diagnostics, make sure it’s not your ISP bottlenecking you. Websites like speedtest.net give you a snapshot of your upload/download speeds. Compare this with what you’re paying for, and see if it matches up. Sometimes, the issue isn’t WiFi but ISP throttling or service problems.

Also, while not a diagnostic per se, a heavy dose of power cycling (aka turn off and turn back on) can sometimes literally remove the gremlins in your router. Don’t forget this simple trick.

Lastly, about that Mesh Network Solution: Again, slightly different from what techchizkid mentioned, if your signal strength is weak, consider not just any mesh systems, but specifically tri-band mesh systems. They often provide more stable and robust connections as one band is typically kept for the backhaul operations.

A note for visual learners: Check out NetSpot, like techchizkid noted. It’s capable of generating detailed heatmaps of your WiFi coverage. Imagine seeing a graphical representation of your WiFi zones; helps you see exactly where dead spots are. They provide a free version but if you’re serious about diagnosing this issue, the paid version is worth considering for more detailed features.

Happy troubleshooting!

One additional thing you might wanna consider is looking at your hardware placement. I know it sounds trivial but seriously, the placement of your router can make or break your WiFi experience. If it’s tucked away in a closet or behind thick walls, no wonder the signal’s stinking.

Make sure your router is placed centrally in your home or at least closer to where you use WiFi devices the most. Also, put it on a shelf or mount it on a wall at about waist or chest height. That helps reduce obstructions and improve signal distribution.

And let’s talk about the WiFi frequency bands for a sec. Routers usually offer 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The 2.4 GHz band covers a larger area but is slower and more prone to interference from other devices like microwaves and cordless phones. The 5 GHz band, on the other hand, offers faster speeds and less interference but covers a smaller area. So, try switching bands and see if that helps.

Now, speaking of WiFi Analyzer Apps, I gotta underline techchizkid’s mention of NetSpot Site Survey Software again. There’s solid reasoning behind this pick. You can create detailed heatmaps of your entire home and visualize strong and weak spots. It’s almost like playing detective but for WiFi. You can check it out here. Trust me, it’s pretty neat.

But hey, let’s not ignore some old-school solutions. Remember to check that your router’s antennas are properly adjusted. Routers with external antennas usually perform better when the antennas are positioned at different angles (e.g., one vertical, one horizontal).

Exploring the software side, another neat trick is to change your WiFi channel, especially for the 2.4 GHz band. Many WiFi networks operate on the same channel which can cause interference. Use one of those WiFi analyzer apps to see which channels are least crowded in your area and switch to those.

Hey, here’s something that often gets overlooked: Check if you have too many devices connected to your network. Every connected gadget, even those in standby, can leech off your bandwidth. Sometimes, it’s helpful to just disconnect devices that aren’t in use.

And yeah, a quick SpeedTest is always a good shout before diving too deep into WiFi diagnostics. This way, you can check if your ISP is delivering the speeds you’re actually paying for. Websites like speedtest.net are super easy to use.

For firmware updates, remember that old saying: “Newer is better”. Outdated firmware might be limiting your router’s performance. Almost all routers simplify this process via the router’s admin page—just make sure you’re on the latest version.

A quick note on those Mesh Network systems: If you’re considering this step, go for tri-band mesh systems like Netgear Orbi or ASUS ZenWiFi. They use one band for device communication and a dedicated one for node backhaul communications, ensuring better stability across your network.

Lastly, let’s not forget power cycling aka turning it off and on again. Sounds cliché, but it often works wonders!

Happy WiFi fixing!