Networks and Wi-Fi
Fixing Wi-Fi dead spots
The signal is fine at the front desk and gone in the back office. That is a design problem, and it can be fixed.
1 min readExplainer
The short version
Some rooms always have weak Wi-Fi. The fix is usually where access points are placed, how many there are and what is in the way.
Why dead spots happen
- Distance. Wi-Fi gets weaker the farther you are from the access point.
- Walls and materials. Concrete, brick, metal, glass with coatings, elevators and filing cabinets all block or weaken signals.
- One device covering too much. A single router in a closet rarely covers a whole office.
- Interference from neighboring networks and other equipment.
What helps
- More access points, placed well. Business Wi-Fi uses several access points mounted on ceilings or high on walls, spread out to cover the space and connected back by cable. Devices move between them as people walk around.
- Cabled connections where possible. Access points connected by network cable perform better than those that relay the signal wirelessly.
- A site survey. Measuring signal around the space shows where coverage is weak and where access points should go.
- Avoid plug-in extenders for business use. They often cut speed and create a separate network that devices handle poorly.
Quick checks
- Is the access point hidden in a cabinet or behind equipment? Moving it into the open can help.
- Is the problem one device or everyone? If only one laptop struggles, the laptop may be the issue.
- Has the office layout changed? New walls or furniture can change coverage.
Talk to us about your technology
Tell us what you run today and what is getting in the way. We will get back to you about how we can help.