With the pandemic, we are all forced to make our livelihood over the internet. From schools conducting classes online to offices working through zoom meetings, we are constantly in need of the internet. We have realized that just any internet is not helpful and need our network to be constantly good.
Wi-Fi signals travel all around the place and we can try a few steps to make sure we are not cheated out of the network or if there are any other reasons as to why our Wi-Fi strength is not good. We measure the signal strength of Wi-Fi in dBm Decibels in relation to milliwatt or milliwatts both expressed in negative values.
Each activity that we perform over the internet requires a different level of Signal strength. That is why we notice that at times when the Wi-Fi is slow only we can receive text messages on apps like Watsapp but the other media like pictures or videos take forever to download.
We can only understand the approximate strength by looking at the bars of Wi-Fi on our devices. The exact strength expressed in dBm and which is good and which ones are very low are all explained in the table below.
| SIGNAL STRENGTH | QUALITY TO EXPECT | REQUIRED LEVEL FOR |
| -30 dBm | Maximum signal strength, you are probably standing right next to the access point/router. | |
| -50 dBm | Anything down to this level can be regarded as excellent signal strength. | |
| -60 dBm | This is still good, reliable signal strength. | |
| -67 dBm | This is the minimum value for all services that require smooth and reliable data traffic. | VoIP/VoWi-Fi Video streaming/streaming (not the highest quality) |
| -70 dBm | The signal is not very strong, but mostly sufficient. | Web, email, and the like |
| -80 dBm | Minimum value required to make a connection. You cannot count on a reliable connection or sufficient signal strength to use services at this level. | |
| -90 dBm | It is very unlikely that you will be able to connect or make use of any services with this signal strength. |
So in this table, we have seen that if your signal strength is lowest if it is around -90 or -80 and it will not let you connect or perform any tasks. Then we have -70 dBm which is enough only to send out emails and browse some of the websites. -67 dBm lets us stream videos online on Youtube, Daily Motion, and other Video Streaming Apps. And then network ranges from -60 to -30 are all good strength and are excellent for downloading large files, video calls, zoom meetings, and so on.
The Rule of 3s and 10s highlights the logarithmic nature of dBm:
3 dB of loss = -3 dB = halves signal strength
3 dB of gain = +3 dB = doubles signal strength
10 dB of loss = -10 dB = 10 times less signal strength (0.1 mW = -10 dBm, 0.01 mW = -20 dBm, etc.)
10 dB of gain = +10 dB = 10 times more signal strength (0.00001 mW = -50 dBm, 0.0001 mW = -40 dBm, etc.)
How to check Wi-Fi Signal Strength
There are different methods of checking signal strength in Windows and Mac.
Steps to check signal strength in Mac:
- Mac devices have a very easy way of checking the signal strength.
- Start by clicking on the Wi-Fi icon and hold it in the menu bar
- This will show you the Signal Strength in decibels.
- Wi-Fi’s signal strength is shown in RSSI or the received signal strength indicator.
Steps to check Wi-Fi signal strength in Windows
- Windows do not have any specific shortcut specifically for checking the Wi-Fi signal strength.
- Start by downloading any App made for checking the signal strength.
- There are several Apps available for free like “inSSIDer”, and you can download other apps as well which are paid.
- After installation is completed login to the App and then follow the steps as guided to check the Signal Strength.
How to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Now that we know how to check the signal strength, we find several instances where the signal strength is very low and now you need to boost it.
- Ensure that your router is placed in a very centralized area.
- Move around the obstacles like furniture or huge electronics like a refrigerator so that it does not cause any obstruction to the network.
- Use a dual-band router with 2.4 GHz and 5Ghz channels so that any moment one channel gets more traffic on it you can switch to the other one.
- Check with your internet service provider and ask them to check your server.
- Use Mesh networks as they are great to provide constantly good Wi-Fi networks in large areas like apartments or offices with multiple floors.
- Check all the connected devices to your Wi-Fi network and if you find any device that does not belong to anyone you know block it.
Endnote
Check your Wi-fi signals strength by using the apps and if required boost it using the steps above. Let us know how you what generally helps you to instantly boost your Wi-Fi in the comments.
