I recently moved to a new apartment, and upon getting there and setting up my wireless network, I had all sorts of trouble. My wireless signal would cut out randomly, and my signal dropped out every time I walked into my living room. Normally, I would attribute this to a failing router, but since it coincided with my move, I decided to investigate.
I reset my router and modem to no avail. My signal was still abnormally faint. Then, I moved my router into a central location in my house. That resolved my living room dead spot, but I was still dropping signal randomly.
After checking that I had the most recent firmware for my router (check your router’s manufacturer’s website for instructions), I checked for environmental problems. I turned off all lights, televisions, and even my cordless phone.
Still, I was disconnecting randomly. Finally, I realized that every time my roommate used the microwave, everything disconnected from the network. I changed the channel my router worked on, and never had an issue again.
If you experience random disconnects, dead spots, and/or poor throughput with your wireless network, the issue may not be your router or device. Try taking these steps to resolve your issues.
1. Relocate your router to a central location.
Your router has a limited range, and placing it in the center of your home will ensure uniform distribution of the signal.
2. Update your firmware on your router.
Sometimes, a firmware bug on your router can cause issues with your connection. This can be very simple, or very complicated. Consult your documentation and only proceed if you are confident you have the capability to move forward.
3. Check for other wireless networks in the area, and change your wireless channel accordingly.
Other wireless networks can interfere with your network, try adjusting the channel on your wireless router to something less common (channels 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 9 generally are free). Consult your documentation for this step, and only proceed if you feel confident in your ability to do so.
4. Check for environmental issues.
Microwaves, cordless phones, wireless video transmitters, fluorescent lights, mirrors between you and the router, wire mesh, plaster walls, and many other things can cause wireless instability. Try disconnecting these devices one by one, and see if your wireless signal increases. If you live in a home with wire mesh-backed plaster walls, you may just have to rely on a wired network, because this type of house is known to seriously impede wireless networks.
If none of these steps works, consult your ISP or local computer technician, as you may have faulty equipment.