Networking
How to Improve WiFi Coverage in Your Home or Office
Why WiFi drops in some rooms and how to fix it: router placement, mesh WiFi, cabled access points, structured cabling and power backup.
By the JakShield Technologies team ·
Why some rooms have weak WiFi
Concrete and block walls, metal roofing and distance all weaken WiFi signals. A single router in one corner of a building rarely covers every room, especially across several floors.
Start with router placement
Place the router high and as close to the centre of the building as possible, away from metal cabinets and thick walls. This alone can make a noticeable difference in a small home.
Mesh WiFi or access points
Mesh WiFi uses several units that work together as one network, so devices move between them automatically. It is quick to set up and suits homes and small offices.
Cabled access points connect to the router through network cable. They give the strongest, most stable coverage and suit offices, hotels, schools and buildings with many users. The units can be powered through the same cable (PoE).
Good cabling and backup power
Use Cat6 cable for new installations and run it neatly in trunking or conduit. Label both ends of every cable so faults are easy to trace.
Put the router, switches and access points on a UPS so the network stays up during power cuts.
- Place the router centrally and high up
- Use mesh WiFi for homes and small offices
- Use cabled access points for larger buildings
- Install Cat6 cable neatly and label it
- Back up network equipment against power cuts
Common questions
Is mesh WiFi better than a range extender?
Usually yes. Mesh units work as one network and hand devices over automatically, while simple extenders often halve the speed and create a separate network name.
Need advice for your property?
Tell the JakShield team about your property and we will recommend the right equipment and installation.