What a dead spot is
A dead spot is a part of your home where WiFi is slow, keeps dropping out or does not work at all, even though it works fine next to the router. It is almost always a coverage problem, not an internet problem.
The usual causes
- Distance. Signal weakens quickly the further you are from the router.
- Dense materials. Concrete, brick, tiles, mirrors and metal absorb or reflect signal. Foil-backed insulation and metal roofing or cladding are especially bad.
- Extra floors. A router downstairs often struggles to reach rooms upstairs.
- Poor router position. Routers in cupboards, on the floor, behind a TV or in a corner of the house lose much of their reach.
- Interference. Neighbouring networks, microwaves, baby monitors and cordless phones can all crowd the same airwaves.
- Too many devices. Phones, TVs, laptops and smart gadgets all share the same capacity.
- The router itself. The box supplied with an internet plan is built for small spaces, not larger or multi-level homes.
Things to try first
- Move the router. Put it somewhere central, off the floor, in the open and away from metal objects and other electronics.
- Restart it and update it. Switch it off and on, and check for a firmware update in its settings.
- Check the two bands. Most routers offer a 2.4 GHz band, which reaches further but is slower, and a 5 GHz band, which is faster but weaker through walls. Try connecting to each in the problem room.
- Test near and far. Run a speed test next to the router and again in the problem room. If it is fast near the router and slow far away, the issue is coverage and not your internet plan.
Why a plug-in extender often disappoints
A typical plug-in extender picks up your WiFi and repeats it, which often cuts the speed available and leaves gaps. It can help in a small case, such as one weak corner. In larger or multi-level homes, a planned layout works better: extra units placed in the right spots and, where possible, connected back to the router by cable.
When it is quicker to call someone
A home survey is worth it if:
- you have tried the steps above and rooms are still weak
- your home has several levels, thick walls or a long layout
- you need a reliable connection for working from home or video calls
- you want WiFi in a sleepout, garage or shed (see WiFi for sleepouts, sheds and decks)
We walk your home with test gear, map where the signal falls away and explain why. You then get a plan and a clear quote. We cover Queenstown and the surrounding suburbs and Glenorchy.