How to improve WIFI router signal strength??? plz help

I moved to 17 yrs old 1400sqf 2nd story house in washington state. I set up my router to comcast high speed internet but my router signal is soooo bad. only full signal right next to router. I try with d-link dir-655 and netgear dual band router...still both of router weak signal in my home. how do i fix that? I google it but still no answer....

If you tried various routers and still get the same result, it's probably an issue with the wireless card in your laptop/computer. Do you have a USB wireless card you can plug and try?

Quote from AngryPirate : If you tried various routers and still get the same result, it's probably an issue with the wireless card in your laptop/computer. Do you have a USB wireless card you can plug and try?

I have new samsung laptop, New Ipad 3 and Galaxy S2 phone...all three devices same result...
something wrong with my house?

Quote from abc102102 : I have new samsung laptop, New Ipad 3 and Galaxy S2 phone...all three devices same result... something wrong with my house?

Doubt there is anything "wrong" with your house. Do you know if your walls are made of brick? (doubt it)

How old are these access points you are using? after a while they tend to loose their range.

lastly where is the modem in your house? you should try to keep it near the center of the house and in the open. Keep it away from things like microwaves and any solid walls (or brick chimneys).

edit: the dir-655 should not be that old.

Check out the Engenius ENH202 access point. It has given me great results!

Quote from mrbobhcrhs : Doubt there is anything "wrong" with your house. Do you know if your walls are made of brick? (doubt it) How old are these access points you are using? after a while they tend to loose their range. lastly where is the modem in your house? you should try to keep it near the center of the house and in the open. Keep it away from things like microwaves and any solid walls (or brick chimneys). edit: the dir-655 should not be that old.

no brick on my house...I can not think of anything interfering my router signal...maybe home security system interfering my signal? or i have motorola modem SBG901 router/modem together...is this interfering with router?

Have you tried channels 1, 6 and 11? These are the only unique channels available, and interference on any of them will limit your signal. Give the others a shot if you've only tried one.

Have you tried to connect directly to modem and/or router to see if it's a problem before the wifi?

Quote from abc102102 : Galaxy S2 phone...all three devices same result...

try checking the wifi channels with a wifi analyzer app - see where your signal drops off a cliff, or if a neighbor's wifi is interfering

Is there any cordless devices (especially 2.4Ghz phones) near the router? If so, changing the channel on the router to either 1 or 11 may remedy the problem as someone mentioned. Also, do you have any larger metal objects in front of the routers location? You will always get the best signal when you're in directly line of sight with a wireless device. The more objects (walls, appliances, furniture, etc.) the wireless signal has to penetrate to get to your device, the weaker the signal will be...the material the objects are made of will also have a big impact. Signals will obviously penetrate a hollow drywall interior wall easier than one made of brick or poured concrete. And large areas of metal are especially hard to penetrate...if you set your router behind a washing machine (just for example's sake), you would have a very difficult time getting a good signal on the opposite side of it.

Also, have you tried G only? N doesn't propagate as well through walls in my experience.

Quote from redmaxx : Have you tried channels 1, 6 and 11? These are the only unique channels available, and interference on any of them will limit your signal. Give the others a shot if you've only tried one.

Yes I try all different channels...

Quote from dollarbill : Have you tried to connect directly to modem and/or router to see if it's a problem before the wifi?

Yes I did direct speed about 20-23 mbps...with wireless 2 or 3 mbps and dropped

Quote from AngryPirate : Is there any cordless devices (especially 2.4Ghz phones) near the router? If so, changing the channel on the router to either 1 or 11 may remedy the problem as someone mentioned. Also, do you have any larger metal objects in front of the routers location? You will always get the best signal when you're in directly line of sight with a wireless device. The more objects (walls, appliances, furniture, etc.) the wireless signal has to penetrate to get to your device, the weaker the signal will be...the material the objects are made of will also have a big impact. Signals will obviously penetrate a hollow drywall interior wall easier than one made of brick or poured concrete. And large areas of metal are especially hard to penetrate...if you set your router behind a washing machine (just for example's sake), you would have a very difficult time getting a good signal on the opposite side of it.

i dont have cordless phone only i can think of home security alarm GSM services and motion detecter...

Run netstumbler to see whats going on with all the neighborhood wi fi signals.

http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/

Pick the channel that's less congested.


Also move the router to a more central location