How to fix dropping WiFi connections

Posted in Communication, Computer Hardware, Technology

Time for another techy blogpost. This time about wireless networks. The most common WiFi problem — after you tried all the default solutions (WAN status, SSID name & broadcast, etc.) — is poor signal strength. Most people confuse this with a broken device and a buy a new and/or more powerful access point. But you don’t have to …

The solution in most cases is very simple, but also not commonly known; not even to your ISP = Internet Service Provider. I know cause I worked at Belkin WiFi helpdesk, was WiFi router specialist at ASUS and Tele2 callcenter agent. And if they do know about it, they often can’t help you, cause most callcenter agents lack proper network training. So let’s see what you can do about it yourself. Intermediate computer knowledge required.

Let’s first explain the problem in more detail with the following analogy. Radio 3FM is one of the most popular radio stations in Holland. It’s in the ether at 96.2FM. When you tune in at 96.15FM you will still hear some music, but you’ll also have a lot of noise. Another example; maybe you were fortunate enough to play around with Walkie-Talkies as a kid, young adolescent, police man / rescue worker? When the signal would break up, what would you do? Exactly … change the channel!

You see, in every access point you can choose from 13 WiFi channels, but by default most networks transmit at 6.

1 – 2.412GHz – best alternative
2 – 2.417GHz
3 – 2.422GHz
4 – 2.427GHz
5 – 2.432GHz
6 – 2.437GHz – default for most networks
7 – 2.442GHz
8 – 2.447GHz
9 – 2.452GHz
10 – 2.457GHz
11 – 2.462GHz – good alternative
12 – 2.467GHz
13 – 2.472GHz – best alternative

If everybody ‘drives’ on highway number 6, you get a huge traffic jam. Some Access Points use auto channel selection. Must like your SatNav uses TMC to bypass the traffic jams. That works … most of the time, but not all the time. So if you want the best results you can manually select the channel, and test which one has the best results for your particular network. But neighboring networks aren’t the only problems …

The confusion sets in especially, when things have been working flawlessly for a long time, but all of a sudden they don’t anymore. A WiFi signal is VERY sensitive to outside interference. Common interference sources are DECT handsfree sets & basestations, microwaves, TL-lights, etc. Reason for this is they emit noise onto the same 2.4GHz frequency as WiFi broadcasts data. It’s like swimming upstream. When you’ve got enough strength you will reach the top, but it’s tough. But there are more challenges … when the signal encounters an obstacle? Like a ceiling, door, person? It might go straight thru or bounce off. Either way, it will greatly reduce the signal quality and thus your range AND speed.

To change the channel of your access point you might find some instructions in your manual. Typically you havae to http://192.168.0.1. or with user/password: admin/admin. Go to Wireless settings, channel the channel ID and press save. All wireless attached computers will disconnect by default, but when you connect it, it should pick up the AP automatically again. If it doesn’t? Poorer signal. Connect wired and go back the previous channel or select a different channel. Unwritten rule? If you’re default channel is 6, then change to either 1, 11 or 13. Test stability of a connection? Ping with 8KB data packets and perform a speedtest.net

Done!