How to improve Wi-Fi speed by reducing coverage

This guide will explain how to optimize your Wi-Fi network to achieve a faster and more stable connection, even when the signal seems strong in every corner of the house.

The problem is common: having a five-bar Wi-Fi signal does not necessarily guarantee a fast connection. The bars on your phone only indicate the signal strength between the device and the nearest access point, but they do not consider crucial factors such as the number of connected devices, interference, or the choice of the optimal node.

This guide is useful for those who have a slow Wi-Fi network despite apparently optimal coverage, especially if using mesh systems with multiple nodes. By following the indicated steps, you can improve the speed and stability of your connection.

If you need further insights, you can consult the article on how to change the channel width in the router.

Prerequisites

• A Wi-Fi mesh system with multiple nodes
• Access to the router or mesh nodes configuration interface
• Devices connected to the Wi-Fi network (smartphone, laptop, etc.)

Procedure to Optimize the Wi-Fi Network

At the end of this guide, you will have a faster and more stable Wi-Fi network, reducing interference and optimizing coverage.

• Step 1: Check the Radio Channels
  • Select the 2.4 GHz band and ensure that the channels used by the nodes are 1, 6, or 11.
  • For the 5 GHz band, verify that the channels are not overlapping.
• Step 2: Lower the Transmission Power
  • In the router configuration panel, look for the transmission power option.
  • Reduce it by about 20-30% from the default value.
  • Save the settings and restart the router.
• Step 3: Remove a Node (if necessary)
  • Evaluate the current network coverage.
  • If a node is too close to the others, remove it physically.
  • Check the stability and speed of the connection in different areas of the house.

Verification and Troubleshooting

At the end of this guide, you will be able to test the efficiency of your Wi-Fi network and solve problems of slow connection despite a strong signal.

Verification Test

• Check the signal strength: Use your smartphone or computer to check the number of Wi-Fi signal bars in different areas of the house. Note the areas with weak signal.
• Measure the connection speed: Use online tools like Speedtest to measure the download and upload speed in different positions. Compare the results with the theoretical speed of your connection.
• Check roaming: Move around the house and observe if the device automatically connects to the nearest node. If the device remains connected to a distant node despite the proximity to another, you might have a problem of slow roaming.

Practical Solutions

• Check the Radio Channels:
  • Access the administration panel of your router.
  • Check the channels used by the Wi-Fi nodes.
  • Ensure that nearby nodes do not use the same channel, especially on the 2.4 GHz band (use channels 1, 6, or 11).
  • On the 5 GHz band, try to avoid channel overlaps.
• Lower the Transmission Power:
  • Reduce the transmission power of the Wi-Fi nodes.
  • Check the coverage after the changes and adjust further if necessary.
• Remove a Node:
  • Physically remove a node and check if the coverage and speed improve.
  • If the coverage remains adequate, keep the simplified configuration.

Further Insights

Educational Summary and Practical Invitation

At the end of this guide, you will have understood how excessive Wi-Fi coverage can paradoxically slow down your connection and you will have learned to intervene concretely to optimize your network.

• Key Points to Remember:
  • The signal bars only indicate the strength of the connection between the device and the access point, not the actual speed of the network.
  • Mesh systems can create interference if the nodes are too close to each other.
  • Slow roaming can keep devices connected to non-optimal nodes.
  • Reducing coverage, rather than increasing it, is often the most effective solution.
• Practical Actions to Perform:
  • Check and adjust the radio channels to avoid overlaps.
  • Consider removing a node to improve network stability.

Apply these solutions step by step and verify the improvements in the speed and stability of your Wi-Fi connection. For further insights, consult the guide on how to change the channel width in the router.