What’s the use of a smartphone that can barely connect to the Internet?
There are many factors that can reduce the Wi-Fi performance of an Android device. But don’t give up yet. You can strengthen the Wi-Fi signal to make the Internet connection on your Android device more stable.
Home users
Are you having problems with your home Wi-Fi? Here are some things you can try. The first thing you need to do is look at the frequency and channel of your router.
Frequency and channels
Older WiFi routers use the same 2.4 GHz frequency band. If you and your neighbors are using the same frequency, signals will overlap, resulting in a weaker Wi-Fi connection.
If your router is marketed as a dual band router, it supports 5 GHz frequency band. Switching to 5 GHz can improve your Wi-Fi power. This particular frequency is less crowded and supports more channels. However, it has a shorter range.
Choose another channel
Each frequency has smaller ranges. These are the so-called channels. There are 11 channels on average at 2.4 GHz, and 45 channels at 5 GHz.
Ideally, you want to be on a channel that has no one else on it. You can use free Wi-Fi scanning software to detect channels that other networks around you are using.
This can be tricky for anyone using 2.4GHz as there are fewer options. Some routers have an automatic ideal channel selection feature. But you can select one channel manually and stay on it indefinitely.
However, people operating at 5 GHz have a variety of channels to choose from. At this frequency, there really is a small chance of colliding with someone else.
How to change the frequency and channel
- Using a laptop or desktop computer, connect to a wireless network.
- Open a web browser and enter the IP address of your router.
Note. If you don’t know your IP address, open a command prompt and enter IPCONFIG. Your IP address will be displayed under the default gateway. Also read our post on how to find the IP address of your WiFi hotspot.
- Enter your login information to enter the router settings.
- Router settings vary by brand. But you should find a way to change both the frequency (if 5 GHz is not supported) and the channel.
Some premium routers have apps that can be downloaded to access these settings remotely.
Channel selection
With so many channels, how do you choose which one to use? One way is to use a Windows PC and Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Open one of the two programs and enter NETSH WLAN SHOW NETWORKS MODE = BSSID
This command will show you all broadcast networks, their SSID and the channel they are using.
- Select the channel with the lowest traffic. In the example above, you can select channel 1 to 6 and it should not interfere with your neighbor’s signals.
You can also download one of the many Android apps available on Google Play, such as WiFi Analyzer, to analyze the WiFi signal strength in your area.
Buy a Wi-Fi repeater
A Wi-Fi Repeater – as its name suggests – repeats a Wi-Fi signal to expand its range. If you live in a large house, using a repeater can boost the Wi-Fi signal enough to reach your Android phone.
Update your WiFi device password
If you have not updated the router password, do so immediately. Strangers can steal your WiFi connection, causing your internet speed to drop.
Enter the Wi-Fi settings page and find the section where you can update the SSID and password.
Update your SSID and password accordingly. Be sure to use WPA2, the latest in network encryption technology.
Call outside your home
Are you having problems with Wi-Fi outside your home? Unfortunately, your options are limited. Here are some workarounds.
Updating Android and Firmware
The first thing you need to do is make sure the Android OS has the latest version for your device. Also, don’t forget to update the browser app on your Android phone. Google is constantly releasing new updates for Chrome and this might fix your problem.
Also, depending on which Android phone you have, make sure there are no firmware updates available for your device. If yes, please update the firmware to the latest version.
Remove your phone case
Cases are great for protecting your phone, but they can sometimes interfere with your Android smartphone’s antenna. If you have a solid case or a case with a metal object, your signal may deteriorate. Try using your device without a case and then test your speed.
Use the Signal Booster App
As Android has a more open ecosystem than iOS, you can download WiFi Booster or Signal Booster app to speed up WiFi or 3G / 4G / LTE.
Be sure to download an app with a rating above 4 stars and over 100K downloads.
Other simple measures
Skipping Bad Connections – Avoid networks with poor Wi-Fi power. The further you are from the router, the worse the signal will be.
Stop moving – you will bounce from one hotspot to another if you walk. This will interfere with your connection. Stay where you are until you finish browsing the Internet.
Remove / Avoid Obstacles – If a wall gets in the way, go around it. It is difficult for Wi-Fi signals to come into contact with structures. Walls, doors, and other obstructions will reduce Wi-Fi performance.
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