If you’re dealing with weak wifi signals in certain areas of your home, you’re not alone. Dead zones, slow speeds, and dropped connections can be incredibly frustrating—especially if you’re trying to work, stream, or game. The good news? With the right tools and setup, you can ensure a strong, reliable connection throughout your house.
Here’s how to troubleshoot, upgrade, and invest in solutions that deliver whole home Wifi coverage.
Start by Troubleshooting Your Wifi Router
Before making any major changes, evaluate your current wifi setup. Sometimes, a few simple adjustments can significantly improve performance:
- Check placement: Your router should be in a central, open location for the best coverage. Avoid placing it near walls, metal objects, or electronic devices that can interfere with the signal.
- Restart your router: A quick reboot can resolve temporary connectivity issues.
If these steps don’t fix the issue, it may be time to consider upgrading your equipment.
Upgrade Your Wifi Router
If your wifi performance is lacking, the router provided by your internet provider may be part of the problem. Fiber and 5G providers like AT&T, Frontier, Verizon, and T-Mobile generally offer the latest wifi equipment, including devices that support at least Wifi 6, a recently released standard designed for better speeds and reliability.
However, cable companies such as Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum, and Cox often recycle older routers with outdated technology. These older devices can lead to slower speeds, weaker coverage, and a frustrating wifi experience.
To improve your connection, consider upgrading your router. You can:
- Request an upgrade from your internet provider: Many providers offer to swap your wifi equipment, especially if you’re experiencing wifi connectivity issues.
- Buy your own router: Investing in a Wifi 6 router ensures you have the latest technology. Options from brands like Eero and Netgear are widely available and designed to improve coverage and speed.
Invest in a Whole Home Wifi Solution
If upgrading your router doesn’t solve your connectivity issues, a whole home wifi solution might be the answer. These systems use a central router and satellite devices (also known as extenders or mesh points) to eliminate dead zones and provide consistent coverage throughout your home.
Examples of Whole Home Wifi Options:
- Verizon Whole-Home Wifi: Available as part of their Home Internet services, Verizon offers wifi extenders that pair seamlessly with their router to improve coverage throughout your home. Their add-on costs $10-15/month depending on the number of extenders.
- Frontier Whole-Home Wifi: Frontier provides a mesh wifi system designed to cover every corner of your house. Their add-on costs $10/month for up to 2 extenders.
Standalone Systems:
If you prefer to purchase your own system, options like Eero Mesh Wifi (starting at $150) and Netgear Orbi (starting at $200) are excellent alternatives. These systems are easy to set up and can handle the demands of larger homes.
Avoid Upgrading Your Internet Speed
While it might be tempting to increase your internet speed to fix weak wifi, it’s not unnecessary. Most households are completely fine with entry-level speeds, as common tasks like gaming, streaming, and video calls require moderate speeds. Instead, focus on improving your setup: upgrade your router, invest in a whole home wifi system, or switch to a wired Ethernet connection in your home where possible. Addressing these issues delivers better performance than simply paying for faster speeds—and saves you money in the long run.
The Bottom Line
Weak wifi doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. Whether it’s upgrading your equipment, investing in a whole home wifi system, or optimizing your router placement, there are plenty of ways to strengthen your connection and eliminate dead zones.
If you’re frustrated by your wifi experience, it’s worth knowing that you have more internet options than ever before.
Ready to optimize your home internet? Visit Wifi Shark today to explore your options and find the best solution for your household.
