In today’s connected world, we are seeing an increasing focus on internet-enabled devices. From refrigerators that order groceries when they’re running low to light bulbs that can be controlled from anywhere, the IoT (Internet of Things) is here to stay. And with this increased adoption of internet-connected devices comes a rise in WiFi usage. But for many people who live in apartment buildings – especially those that were built during the Great Depression – things aren’t so rosy. If you live in an apartment building, you know how challenging it can be to get reliable Wifi in your home. This article will explain why Wifi is so bad in so many apartments, what you can do to improve the situation, and if it’s even possible to fix the problem.
Why is my wifi so bad?
There could be a number of reasons why your wifi is so bad. One possibility is that you live in an area with a lot of wireless interference. This can be caused by things like cordless phones, microwaves, and other electronic devices. It’s also possible that your router isn’t adequate for your needs and isn’t broadcasting or receiving a signal properly. Finally, it’s possible that there’s something wrong with your network card or adapter. If you’ve tried everything and still can’t seem to get good wifi coverage, it might be time to invest in a new router or network card.
Why Is Wifi So Bad In Apartments?
1. The building was built during the Great Depression.
During the Great Depression, many people could not afford to live in single-family homes. Instead, they lived in apartment buildings. Unfortunately, apartment buildings were not required to be wired for phone service until the Telecommunications Act of 1996. But even then, many apartment buildings never bothered to get their wiring updated or modernized. This means that many older apartments are still wired for phone service only – and that means no internet service at all!
2. The building’s wiring is old and outdated.
Even if your apartment building is wired for internet service, it might be using old wiring that’s difficult to run new cables through. This can make things difficult when you’re trying to run a new cable from your router to your rooms or apartments in the building.
3. The building’s owner doesn’t want to spend the money.
This is especially true if your building is an older one, or if it’s a complex of small apartment buildings that have been combined into a single entity. The building owner may have invested a lot of time and money into getting the apartments up to code, and they don’t want to invest in internet service unless they absolutely have to.
4. The walls are too thick.
Walls in apartment buildings are typically much thicker than walls in single-family homes, which can make it more difficult for your router to broadcast or receive a signal within the building.
How To Fix Your Bad Wifi?
Change Your WiFi Channel
First, let’s talk about WiFi channels. If you have an old, unmodifiable router, you may want to change your WiFi channel to prevent interference with other nearby networks. For example, if your neighbor has a 2.4 GHz network, you should change your WiFi channel to avoid interference that can slow down or disrupt your network. Your WiFi network’s channel will also affect how far it reaches. The more crowded the 2.4 GHz band gets, the more you’ll have to adjust to avoid interference. If you’re experiencing slow speeds and WiFi drops, switching channels could help. The thing is, you may not know which channels are open. Your router’s manual or support page should have a list of available channels so you can select one with less interference.
Check for Router Issues
Bad WiFi can be the result of faulty hardware or software issues. Before you jump to conclusions and start replacing or adding WiFi devices, you may want to check for router issues first. Bad WiFi can result from a bad network configuration, WiFi signal strength issues, a hardware malfunction, or even a broken Ethernet cable. If you’re lucky, there may be a quick solution to your slow WiFi problem. All you have to do is reset your router and reconfigure it with the WiFi settings again. You may also want to check your router’s firmware for updates and patches. Sometimes, router manufacturers release software updates that fix WiFi issues. You can also reboot your router and see if the network issues go away.
Adjust Your Router’s Position
Since bad WiFi can result from a bad network configuration and signal strength issues, you may want to check for WiFi blind spots and adjust your router’s position. Bad WiFi can result from having too many walls and objects blocking your router’s WiFi signal. While you can’t eliminate all obstructions, you can check for WiFi blind spots and adjust your router’s position accordingly. For example, if you’re getting a WiFi signal strength of -80 dBm on your laptop and your router is located in the next room, you should check for WiFi blind spots. If you have a WiFi signal strength of -80 dBm at multiple locations, there’s a good chance that you have WiFi blind spots.
Try a New Router
If all your troubleshooting fails, it’s time to try a new router. It’s best to start with the easiest solution first. If you’ve spent hours trying out all the tips below with no luck, you may have to bite the bullet and upgrade to a new WiFi router. The easiest way to find out if your current router is bad is to borrow or rent a new router from a friend or family member. If you get better signal strength with the new router, you know what the problem is. If you still experience poor WiFi performance with a new router, there may be another underlying issue with your home WiFi network. You can use WiFi analyzer software like WiFi Explorer to discover network issues and help you troubleshoot your WiFi.
Add More WiFi Access Points
If you’ve tried all the tips above and you’re still experiencing slow WiFi, the problem may be your network’s broadcasting strength. WiFi signals lose strength as they travel through walls and other obstacles. There are two ways to increase your network’s broadcasting strength: You can add access points and expand your network, or you can use WiFi repeaters to strengthen your signal. Access points are basically WiFi routers you can connect to your main WiFi router. They boost signal strength, extend your network, and work as mini WiFi routers that you can place in weak spots.
Check Your Network’s Broadcasting Strength
You may have excellent WiFi coverage in your home, but your network may not be strong enough to reach all the rooms. If your WiFi signal is too weak to reach all your devices, you’ll experience slow WiFi everywhere.
To check your network’s broadcasting strength, you can use WiFi analyzer software like WiFi Explorer. The software will show you where your WiFi signal is strong and where it’s not. Ideally, you want a signal strength of over 90% in every room.
If your signal is weak, you can use tools like WiFi extenders and WiFi repeaters to strengthen your signal. WiFi extenders work like access points, but you can plug them into any power outlet. WiFi repeaters work like extenders, but they boost your signal strength instead of creating a new network.
Reboot Your Router and Change Its Position Again
Sometimes, bad WiFi can be traced to a hardware issue. If you’ve tried every tip above with no luck, it may be time to open up your router. You may find dust or other debris inside that has caused overheating and reduced WiFi signal strength. Be careful when opening up your router. You don’t want to get shocked by the high voltages inside. You can also check your router’s fan and make sure it’s not clogged up with dust. If you find any dust, clean it out thoroughly. Bad WiFi can also be the result of a loose power connection. If the power connector is not plugged in tightly, your router may overheat and lose WiFi signal strength.
Install a Network Extension Cord
If all else fails, you can always install a network extension cord to boost your WiFi signal. If you want to extend your network without adding access points or installing WiFi repeaters, you can use a network extension cord. You can either buy a network extension cord or make one yourself. To make one, you just need to connect two Ethernet cables or network patch cables with a network splitter.
Conclusion
If you live in an apartment building, you’ve probably experienced bad Wifi at some point. This is because apartment buildings were mostly constructed before wifi existed. – One of the biggest reasons for bad wifi in apartments is that apartment buildings are a lot denser than other types of buildings. Since apartments tend to have more people living in them (and each apartment might have up to 5 people!) than single-family homes, there is going to be more interference on your wifi network.
