{"id":395600,"date":"2022-01-18T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-18T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/"},"modified":"2022-01-18T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2022-01-18T11:00:00","slug":"how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/","title":{"rendered":"#How to Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfb298e5b7\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3dfb298e5b7\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/#Why_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength_Matters\" >Why Wi-Fi Signal Strength Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/#Checking_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength_the_Easy_Way\" >Checking Wi-Fi Signal Strength the Easy Way<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/#The_More_Advanced_and_Precise_Method_to_Check_Wi-Fi_Strength\" >The More Advanced (and Precise) Method to Check Wi-Fi Strength<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-to-check-your-wi-fi-signal-strength\/#How_to_Improve_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength\" >How to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#How to Check Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<!-- UNCACHED CONTENT --><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"type:primaryImage size-full wp-image-779325\" data-pagespeed-lazy-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Person-using-a-smartphone-that-wont-connect-to-Wi-Fi.jpeg?width=398&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 400w, https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Person-using-a-smartphone-that-wont-connect-to-Wi-Fi.jpeg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, 400w, 1200w\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Person-using-a-smartphone-that-wont-connect-to-Wi-Fi.jpeg?width=1198&amp;trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Person using a smartphone that won't connect to Wi-Fi\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"type:primaryImage imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/no-wifi-theme-person-holding-white-1138649942?src=lc1V3UO7IUOChMOekaH52Q-1-32&amp;studio=1\">TierneyMJ\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>If your internet seems slow or web pages won\u2019t load, the problem could be your Wi-Fi connection. Perhaps you\u2019re too far from the source, or thick walls are blocking the signal. Here\u2019s how to check your precise Wi-Fi signal strength.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength_Matters\"><\/span>Why Wi-Fi Signal Strength Matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A stronger Wi-Fi signal means a more reliable connection. This is what enables you to take full advantage of the internet speeds available to you.<\/p>\n<p>Wi-Fi signal strength depends on a variety of factors, such as how far you are from the router, whether it\u2019s a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/222249\/whats-the-difference-between-2.4-ghz-and-5-ghz-wi-fi-and-which-should-you-use\/\">2.4 or 5ghz connection, and even the materials of the walls around you. The closer you are to the router, the better. While 2.4ghz connections broadcast further, they might have interference issues. Thicker walls made of denser materials (like concrete) will block a Wi-Fi signal. A weaker signal, on the other hand, leads to slower speeds, dropouts, and (in some cases) total disconnection.<\/p>\n<p>Not every connection problem is a result of weak signal strength. If the internet on your computer or phone seems slow, start by rebooting your router\u00a0if you have access to it.<\/p>\n<p>If the problem persists, the next step is to check if Wi-Fi is the problem. Try using the internet with a device connected through ethernet. If you still have issues, the network is the problem. If the ethernet connection is fine and a router reset didn\u2019t help, then it\u2019s time to check signal strength.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Checking_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength_the_Easy_Way\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_1\">Checking Wi-Fi Signal Strength the Easy Way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-426724 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Wifi-Signal.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"The top bar of an Android screen, showing a Wi-Fi Symbol, battery life, and other notifications.\" width=\"650\" height=\"296\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>To check the strength of your Wi-Fi, the first thing to do is look at the device having issues. Whether it\u2019s using an iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, or Windows PC, you should have a Wi-Fi connection indicator. Usually, four or five curved lines make up the Wi-Fi symbol, and the more that are filled, the stronger the connection.<\/p>\n<p>Every phone, tablet, and laptop is different and may indicate a different Wi-Fi strength. But it\u2019s worth consulting a second, or even third device. If you checked a phone, consider testing a tablet, too. Compare internet performance on both devices and see what they display for Wi-Fi strength. If you have similar results with both, you have an excellent baseline to use.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve determined your Wi-Fi connection is weak in a particular spot, the next thing to do is walk around and pay attention to the Wi-Fi bars on your smartphone or tablet. Keep track of how far you are from the router, and how many walls there are between it and you.<\/p>\n<p>Pay attention to when your Wi-Fi bars increase and decrease. It\u2019s a rudimentary check, but for most cases, it will suffice.<\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_More_Advanced_and_Precise_Method_to_Check_Wi-Fi_Strength\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"autotoc_anchor_2\">The More Advanced (and Precise) Method to Check Wi-Fi Strength<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-426725 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/dBm.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Access point dialog showing a Wi-Fi network with a -40dBM connection.\" width=\"650\" height=\"306\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Looking at bars in a symbol will only tell you so much. If you want to dig deeper into the strength of your Wi-Fi, you\u2019ll need to use an app or program (like the AirPort Utility app or Wi-Fi Analyzer) to measure its\u00a0decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm).<\/p>\n<p>You can measure a Wi-Fi signal in multiple ways. The most accurate measurement is milliwatts (mW), but it\u2019s also the hardest to read due to the number of decimal places (0.0001 mW). Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is another option, but Wi-Fi vendors handle it inconsistently and with varying scales. Decibels relative to milliwatt (dBm) avoids these problems, and many manufacturers convert RSSI to dBm anyway, so we\u2019ll cover that measurement.<\/p>\n<p>The first thing to know is measurements of dBm will display in negative numbers. The scale runs from -30 to -90. If you see -30, you have a \u201cperfect connection,\u201d and likely, are standing next to the Wi-Fi router. However, if you spot a Wi-Fi signal listed at -90, the service is so weak you probably can\u2019t connect to that network. An excellent connection is -50 dBm, while -60 dBm is likely good enough to stream, handle voice calls, and anything else.<\/p>\n<p>To measure Wi-Fi signal strength on your phone or tablet, you can use the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/apps.apple.com\/us\/app\/airport-utility\/id427276530\">Airport Utility App<\/a>\u00a0for iPhone and iPad, or <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&amp;hl=en\">Wi-Fi Analyzer<\/a>\u00a0for Android. Both are easy to use and show results for any wireless networks in your area.<\/p>\n<p>For iPhone users, the Airport Utility App does require you to go into your device settings and turn on the Wi-Fi scanner. Just go to your iPhone or iPad Settings app (not the app\u2019s settings), tap Airport Utility from the list, and then toggle on \u201cWi-Fi Scanner.\u201d Now, go back to the Airport Utility app and start a scan. You\u2019ll see dBm measurements expressed as RSSI.<\/p>\n<p>For Android users, Wi-Fi Analyzer is a step easier. Open the app and look for the networks found. Each entry will list strength as dBm.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-426728 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/dBm-Apps.jpg?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"Android Wi-Fi analyzer and iOS Airport Utilities showing Wi-Fi signal strength\" width=\"650\" height=\"390\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Windows 10 and 11 don\u2019t have a built-in way to view precise signal strength, although the <code>netsh wlan show interface<\/code> command gives you your signal strength as a percentage.<\/p>\n<p><strong>RELATED:<\/strong> <strong><em>How to Generate a Wi-Fi History or WLAN Report in Windows 10<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the past, we recommended NirSoft\u2019s WifiInfoView to inspect Wi-Fi channels, and it also gets the nod for checking Wi-Fi strength. The program is free, easy to use, and doesn\u2019t require installation. Just unzip and double-click the EXE file. Like on a Mac and iPhone, you\u2019ll find dBm measurements listed under the RSSI entry.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-426729 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Nirsoft-HTG.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"WifiInfoView window showing Wi-Fi scan results.\" width=\"650\" height=\"398\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<p>On Mac, you don\u2019t need to download any program or app if you want to measure the connected network. Hold the option key and click on the Wi-Fi symbol. You\u2019ll see dBm measurements in the RSSI entry.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-426731 size-full\" data-pagespeed-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mac-dBm.png?trim=1,1&amp;bg-color=000&amp;pad=1,1\" alt=\"MacOS Wi-Fi submenu showing RSSI entry measured in dBm.\" width=\"650\" height=\"400\" src=\"\/pagespeed_static\/1.JiBnMqyl6S.gif\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 role=\"heading\" aria-level=\"2\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Improve_Wi-Fi_Signal_Strength\"><\/span>How to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Once you know how strong your network is, you\u2019ll have a better idea of what to do to improve it. For instance, if you can reach the edges of your home and still see a 60 dBm signal (or most of the bars), then any issues you\u2019re having aren\u2019t Wi-Fi-strength related. Check for interference,\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/126327\/how-to-get-a-better-wireless-signal-and-reduce-wireless-network-interference\/\">consider changing channels, or upgrade to a router that supports 5 GHz\u00a0(or even 6Ghz) if your current one doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n<p>If you step a room or two away from the router and find you\u2019re quickly losing the signal, it\u2019s time to consider the age of your router and its placement. Either your walls are very thick and dense, or your router is old and unable to broadcast very far. If you have plaster walls, consider moving the router as close to the center of the home as possible.<\/p>\n<p>If your router is older, it might be time to upgrade. When doing so, look for one that supports both 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi signals. The 5 GHz signal doesn\u2019t extend as far as a 2.4 GHz, but it has more options to bypass interference problems.<\/p>\n<p>If you have a large home, you might want to consider a mesh router. They are an easy way to boost the Wi-Fi signal throughout your home and include other great features, like automatic firmware updates and guest networks. Most people probably don\u2019t need a mesh network, though, and you can find cheaper routers that also offer firmware updates and guest networks.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re not sure you need a mesh router, you might want to consider creating a Wi-Fi heatmap of your home. Heatmaps are a great way to determine where your wireless is strongest and weakest with an easy-to-understand visual. You create a sketch of the layout of your home, and then you walk around while the program measures the Wi-Fi strength. It then colors in your map to give you a general idea of Wi-Fi signal strength throughout. If you\u2019re at the center of your home and the heatmap shows weak signals everywhere, it might be time for a mesh router.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, there isn\u2019t a one-size-fits-all solution for boosting the Wi-Fi signal in every home. However, if you try each of these methods, you can get the most accurate information to make an informed decision about what to do next.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\n setTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s) } (window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n   fbq('init', '335401813750447');\n   fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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Perhaps you\u2019re too far from the source, or thick walls are blocking the signal. Here\u2019s how to check your precise Wi-Fi signal strength. Why Wi-Fi Signal Strength Matters A stronger&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":395601,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Person-using-a-smartphone-that-wont-connect-to-Wi-Fi.jpeg?height=200p&trim=2,2,2,2","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-395600","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395600","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=395600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/395600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/395601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=395600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=395600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=395600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}