The dreaded Wi-Fi dead zone: it’s a place where all wireless signal drops or becomes unstable, even though you could move three inches in either direction and you’ll have no problem. In this case, there’s usually something interfering with the signal, be it a wall or another device. We’ll walk you through some of the basic troubleshooting tips that you can use to resolve your connection troubles.

Step One: Check Yourself
Before you get started, make sure that your router is located far away from other electronic devices. This is because devices can often hamper your router’s ability to broadcast a signal. When there are devices or other obstacles between your own device and the router, like walls or floors, the signal is further weakened.

Therefore, a simple fix is to elevate the router, especially if its signal needs to reach a higher floor. This cuts down on the distance between point A and point B, allowing for both a stronger signal and a more efficient router location in general. Hopefully, this resolves the problem, as there will be fewer places where the connection can get caught up.

Step Two: Antenna Adjustments
If your router or device has an external antenna, you can try to adjust it to find the ideal Internet connection. It’s hard to suggest an optimal antenna orientation, but chances are that you’ll be able to figure it out pretty quickly with a little trial and error.

If you still can’t get out of the dead zone, you can replace the antenna entirely. You may even have to resort to a standalone antenna/extension cord combo. The idea is to extend your device’s reach to a place far beyond the dead zone. With any luck, you should be able to pick up the signal that you need, even if you technically shouldn’t be able to. If the equipment you’re using just doesn’t have an antenna, you can use USB adapters for a similar effect.

Yet, if these adjustments still aren’t helping your technology connect, it might be time to buckle down and go all-in on a Wi-Fi extender. Instead of figuring out the optimal position for a router, a Wi-Fi extender takes your signal and extends it even further, effectively repeating the signal so that any devices within range of the extender can connect to the Wi-Fi. It’s great for getting around an immovable object like a wall.

Step Three: Upgrades and Updates
The final step is to make sure that your router and any adapters are all up-to-date themselves. While you may not notice significant problems at first, there is the possibility for significant trouble down the road. Like all office solutions, it’s important that you keep your connectivity technology updated with the latest patches, firmware updates, and drivers. Doing so can help you considerably extend the lifespan of your technology.

With these best practices, you should have no trouble with your Wi-Fi connection troubleshooting. If you still have difficulty, however, let Argentum IT give you a hand. To learn more about the services we offer, reach out to us at (502) 473-6407.