Knowing how to check a WiFi signal strength is essential, especially if you are into playing online games or working from home. Sometimes, the connection might show “full bars,” but the internet still feels sluggish. There are some ways you can check the strength of WiFi signal. Let’s go through them.
What is WiFi Signal Strength
WiFi signal strength is how well your device can “hear” the WiFi signal coming from your router. This is usually expressed in dBm (decibel-milliwatts). Unlike the WiFi bars you see on your phone or laptop, which are just rough indicators, dBm gives you a precise measurement.
The dBm scale is negative, which can feel confusing at first. The closer the number is to 0 dBm, the stronger the signal.
Here’s a simple breakdown of dBm ranges:
| Signal Strength (dBm) | Quality |
|---|---|
| -30 to -50 dBm | Excellent |
| -50 to -67 dBm | Good |
| -67 to -70 dBm | Fair |
| -70 to -80 dBm | Poor |
| -80+ dBm | Unusable |
If you notice your two devices have different signal bar strength, this is because bars on your WiFi icon aren’t always accurate. That’s why relying on bars isn’t the best way to judge signal strength.
How to Check WiFi Signal Strength
Here are the main ways to check WiFi signal strength depending on your device and operating system:
For Windows:
If you’re a Windows user, checking your WiFi signal strength is simple. You can check the signal just by looking at the WiFi icon in the taskbar. If you have full bars that means strong connection; fewer bars mean weaker signal.
You may also check by using Command Prompt (CMD). To do this:
- Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
- Type the command: netsh wlan show interfaces
- Look for the “Signal” percentage. For example, 80% means you’re getting a reliable connection.
For Mac:
Mac users have some powerful built-in tools for checking WiFi signal strength. You can check it by using the WiFi Status Menu. When you click the WiFi icon at the top menu bar, you can see the information about your WiFi. The RSSI is the signal strength of your WiFi.
For those who rely on phones more than laptops, heres how you can check the signal strength:
For Android:
- Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WiFi.
- Tap your connected network.
- It will usually display signal strength as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Weak.
- Some Android versions also show the frequency band (2.4GHz or 5GHz).
For iOS/iPhone:
- Open Settings > WiFi.
- Look at the network you’re connected to, it shows signal strength with bars.
However, as mentioned above, signal bars are not accurate sometimes. You can try some WiFi analyser app, to see the accurate WiFi strength. Here I tried one and test my signal.
As you can see, the signal strength is available which is -49dbm. The excellent signal strength is from -30dbm to 50dbm which means I have an excellent signal.
Factors Affecting WiFi Signal Strength
If you wonder why does your WiFi still feel weak, the answer lies in several environmental and technical factors.
- Thick walls, especially concrete or brick, can absorb signals.
- Large furniture, mirrors, or metal appliances also weaken WiFi.
- The distance from the router.
- The band of the router. 2.4GHz WiFi travels farther but is slower, while 5GHz WiFi is faster but has shorter range.
- Microwaves, cordless phones, and even baby monitors that operates on similar frequencies.
- Neighboring WiFi networks on the same channel also cause interference.
- Router placement can also affect your WiFi signal.
Tips to Improve WiFi Signal Strength
Weak WiFi doesn’t always mean you need a new internet plan. In most cases, small adjustments to your setup can improve the signal strength. Here are some tried-and-true methods you can use right now.
1. Optimize Router Placement
Place your router in a central location of your home or office so the router can provide even coverage in all directions. You may also keep the router elevated by putting it on a shelf or mounted on a wall. Also, do not hide the router inside your cabinet or behind furniture, as obstructions absorb signals.
2. Switch Frequency Bands
If your router supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz, try switching between those when you face a weak WiFi signal. The difference between 2.4GHz and 5GHz is that 2.4GHz is better for long-range coverage but slower speeds, while 5GHz is faster but weaker at long distances.
3. Use WiFi Extenders or Repeaters
You can fix dead zones at home by installing a WiFi extender. It extends your existing signal so it is perfect if you have a large house that have multiple floors.
4. Upgrade to Mesh WiFi
You may also upgrade to Mesh WiFi as it supports multiple nodes that work together as a single network. It is great for you home especially if you have many devices to be connected at once.
5. Keep Your Router Updated
You should also update your router’s firmware as it can improve performance and security. You can perform it in the router’s web user interface or in the app.
6. Consider an Upgrade
If your router is old, something like 5+ years it may not support the latest WiFi standards like WiFi 6. You may consider opting for some of the best gaming routers in the market.