Weak WiFi connection, get a extender or ... ?? Help please!

[vaheko1990]

Hey guys!

So I need a bit of help when it comes to the range of my router's WiFI. My modem and router are set up in one room, hooked up to a gaming desktop (wired connection). Unfortunately, for the rest of our equipment (laptops, smart phones, etc) we have weak connection to our router/WIFI when we are approximately 15 or more feet away from the router.
The connection occasionally drops on smart phones and laptops because of the weak connection, and that can be annoying.

Somebody once advised me to invest into a wifi signal booster, and this is where I need help. After doing some research I am left confused because I found that there are wifi repeaters, signal boosters, range extenders, etc. So I am not really sure what I need to help solve my connection issues at home.

So, now what I am considering doing is getting one of these wifi extenders or whatever, and plugging it into a wall plug somewhere in the center of my home or towards the farthest end of the home from where the router currently is. I don't know if this is at all possible though or if there even is a device that operates this way. I would need this clarified as well please.

Also, I am on a budget so I can't really afford expensive products.

If anybody would help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

Modem = Motorola SB 6141
Router = Asus AC-1200
Speed Test results (on laptop about 20-25 feet away from router) = 35Mbps / 6.13 Mbps
ISP = Time Warner Cable

Note: I cannot move my modem/router to the center area of my home, that is not an option for me, thus why I am considering a wifi extender of some sort.

 

[das_stig]

Asus AC-1200 should be more than capable of handling a decent coverage.

Have you tried changing frequencies or like my Asus AC66, switch to Merlins Firmware found on the Small Net builders forum, fixes a lot Asus mistakes.

 

[gbb0330]

your router may be in a bad place, make sure its as high up as possible, away from reinforced concrete walls, away from large metal objects like refrigerators and microwaves.

 

[vaheko1990]

Asus AC-1200 should be more than capable of handling a decent coverage.

Have you tried changing frequencies or like my Asus AC66, switch to Merlins Firmware found on the Small Net builders forum, fixes a lot Asus mistakes.

No friend. I don't know how to do that actually =/. Further, I have no clue what merlins firmware is lol. I did try to reboot the router twice, but didn't change anything.

your router may be in a bad place, make sure its as high up as possible, away from reinforced concrete walls, away from large metal objects like refrigerators and microwaves.

Well router is in a bedroom in far corner of my apartment (not that big), and like i mentioned, I can't move it to a center location in the house.

 

[vaheko1990]

bump.

 

[gbb0330]

bump.

get a range extender

 

[vaheko1990]

bump.

get a range extender

Ok thanks, and any specific kind for my particular problem? I am on a budget. Also, is extender and repeater the same thing?

 

[kanewolf]

If you are in an apartment, your problem is probably the 20 other WIFI signals that are competing. With an AC router, you need to try using the 5Ghz band. Although 5Ghz doesn't penetrate walls as well, there are more channels and less conflicting signal. If you don't have a dual band laptop, most new phones are dual band. You can use that to test the coverage.

 

[gbb0330]

bump.

get a range extender

Ok thanks, and any specific kind for my particular problem? I am on a budget. Also, is extender and repeater the same thing?

since you have an asus router get an asus range extender

https://www.asus.com/us/networking/wireless-ap-repeater-bridges-products/

 

[JohnnyBoy05]

Kanewolf is correct, you are seeing what is known at network frequency congestion. You could try changing the wifi channel, which may help separate the frequency from the other nearby 20 router. It's part of living in an apartment.

 

[vaheko1990]

Kanewolf is correct, you are seeing what is known at network frequency congestion. You could try changing the wifi channel, which may help separate the frequency from the other nearby 20 router. It's part of living in an apartment.

Ok, but I am not sure how to do this though. I will say that I found a program that shows what channel my router was running on, and according to that program I was on channel 8 which was the channel that only I was using and 1 other person in my apartment. So that doesn't sound like congestion to me. I don't remember the name of the program I used sadly.

 

[JohnnyBoy05]

Connect to your router via Ethernet open internet explorer and enter 192.168.1.1 into the address bar then look for the wireless setting tab. Under it you will see a setting for the channles. Try changing it to channle 3. Sometimes you may have to try a few different channels to see which is best for you.

 

[kanewolf]

Channels 1, 6, 11 are the only 3 non-overlapping channels in the 2.4Ghz band. Any other choice like 3 or 8 interferes with two channels.

 

[vaheko1990]

Channels 1, 6, 11 are the only 3 non-overlapping channels in the 2.4Ghz band. Any other choice like 3 or 8 interferes with two channels.

So I changed the channel from 8 to 11, and all of a sudden my internet connection became faster. Webpages are opening quicker than before.
Thanks for your help boss