by Patty King

Created on: July 18, 2010   Last Updated: July 19, 2010

The performance of your wireless network connection depends a lot on the signal strength between your computer and the access point. It may be that, you are experiencing lost of connection in some part of your home, or your connection is not as fast as it should be, then, there is something really wrong with your network connection.

This article outlines simple ways of maintaining and improving your network connectivity for uninterrupted services.

#1.  Position your wireless access point in a central location of your home. If your wireless router is by a wall, or against a wall, the signal will be weak on the side of the wall of your home, while stronger on the other side. If the wall which is an obstacle is the best option for you, then, other ways of improving your connection will help to improve your connection speed.

#2.  Move router away from walls, metal objects and floor, because they are capable of causing interference with your wireless signals. The closer your router is to an obstruction, the more the interference, and the weaker the wireless connection will be.

#3.  Add a wireless repeater: If you live in a big house, with lots of rooms, and you desire same connection speed round the house, then, you should consider adding a wireless repeater. Place the wireless repeater midway from the wireless router to the desired access area; this will give you an instant boost of connection strength without the need for wiring.

#4.  Consider changing your wireless channel:  routers can broadcast on several different channels, just as radio stations uses different channels, just tune to the one that is clear for you, through your configuration page. The computer will automatically detect the new channel.

#5.  Use equipments from single vendor only. You will always get better performance of your router and network adapter if they are from the same vendor.

#6.  Your connection may need an upgrade: if you are using 802:11b devices, you may consider upgrading to 802:11g which is faster than 802:11b.

#7.  Replace your router's antenna: the antenna that normally comes with a router is omni-directional, which broadcast signal in all directions around about it. This why router need to be kept away from wall, because once it is close to outside wall, half of the signal connection strength will be broadcasting outside your home, because the positioning of your router in your home is in the best location, just change the antenna to a hi-gain antenna that will focus on the wireless signals or only one direction aiming the signal direction in the direction you need it best.

#8.  Replace your computer's wireless network adapter: signals are sent from, and to your computer. If the router is transmitting and the computer is not responding, the problem may be from your computer's network adapter, this can be changed. Better still, you can use a USB network adapter that uses external antenna.

#9.  Try to reduce wireless interference: limit other wireless interference in your home by turning off wireless electronics like microwave, baby monitor hat operate in the frequency of 2.4GHz, so that the computer can hear the   router clearly. Another way is by avoiding purchase of devices that has 2.4GHz frequency built in. 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies at home are more preferable.

#10. Update your network adapter driver: Manufacturers of routers regularly make free updates to improve their product's performance. Once such updates are available for your product, do not hesitate on updating your device.

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