How can I Boost my Cox Wi-Fi Signal?
Internet connection has become very crucial in society today and more so having a strong Wi-Fi signal at home. My family uses our home internet to work from home, stream shows/movies, control smart devices, and so much more. Just in the event you have CoxWi-Fi but are experiencing a weak signal or losing connectivity in some parts of your home, then the following are actions you can take.
First, find which frequencies and channels have dead zones and interferences. Move around your house with your phone or laptop connected to the Wi-Fi and then jot down the areas that are receiving a low signal. This is usually done from a different floor level from a distance from the router, or from places that have thick walls or other electronic devices that interact with the router. The identification of these areas is useful because it helps you to focus signal-boosting solutions in the right areas that are most problematic. Contaminating signals can be generated by cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, etc., so, note down the position of the devices.
Secondly, it is recommended to verify the router location. The position of the router can be considered as one of the critical factors affecting Wi-Fi signal coverage. It should be as central as possible in the home and placed in an area that is free from obstructions or walls. Raising the router can also assist the signal to expand outwards in a better manner so that it can reach for more areas that it needs to cover. If moving the router is impossible, then there are two ways to deal with it: Wi-Fi extenders or mesh networks (described below).
Also, review the properties of the router for example transmission power, Wi-Fi bands, and channels. It is recommended to use the router admin interface to adjust the settings which can impact the signal strength, including the transmission power, channels, and Wi-Fi bands. It may be useful to switch between the different channels in a while to minimize interference from other networks that might be nearby. Even the current routers that are being produced have 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands for dual-band activities so one can try both bands and see which works best in which areas and with which devices.
To save power, users should disconnect from Wi-Fi when they do not need the connection. It can also increase Wi-Fi coverage for other far more important devices as a result of basic device management. Switch off Wi-fi on IoT gadgets, smart home devices, laptops, and other hardware peripherals that are not in use. This takes pressure from the router and the extra bandwidth is then provided to the active devices that require connectivity.
Flash to a new AC or AX router. If your router is over 3 years old you will find the newer AC or AX models provide a significant leap in performance. The current standards offer higher capacity for the dual bands, more coverage, larger connection for the simultaneous devices, and the beamforming mode that helps to direct the bandwidth to the client devices. Just ensure that your internet plan speeds are commensurate with the capability of the router so that there are no bottlenecks.
Wi-Fi repeaters can help you expand your existing network area. Perhaps the least complicated method by which dead zones may be eradicated is through the use of Wi-Fi extenders, also commonly known as signal boosters. These capture a specific Wi-Fi signal and then boost and repeat the signal to the areas of poor or weak signal reception. Devices like the Netgear Nighthawk X4 can be plugged into an outlet anywhere and generate a completely new access point. For larger homes, it can cover every area in the house when using 2 or more to offer strong WI-FI signals.
The next step is to migrate to a mesh network system. If the issues are more severe and you have dead zones that cannot be eliminated through extenders then whole home mesh networks are the ultimate solution. In mesh systems, there are router/satellite modules that are integrated in a way to form one system. While extenders have a limit to how far they are from each other, devices can switch between the access points and satellite nodes for a stronger signal across the home. Google WiFi and Netgear Orbi belong to the mesh kits that come with 2 or 3 modules.
Place Wi-Fi extenders and mesh satellites deliberately. If you’re putting up any type of range extender or satellite, it is recommended that you place them approximately halfway between your main router and the area with poor signal connectivity. It is also important not to plug them right next to the router and if you do you’re going to get very little. Take note of the placement advice and the feature making use of device linking that assists in enhancing the expansion.
Check and upgrade, if necessary, the router and the extender firmware. It will also be important always to check the firmware on the router and extender and install the latest firmware when available. Updates to firmware commonly solve problems with performance, and security openings and enhance connectivity. Installing old firmware can be a sure path to weak or patchy coverage and frequent network instability. Generally, the routers have the option to check for updates, and they also download them, all through a simple process that only requires the user to click on some buttons.
Let me take the example of a Wi-Fi signal booster antenna. Of course, if the problem is that the signal does not go very far as opposed to going through barriers, you should consider installing a high-gain directional antenna to the router. TrendNet, Alfa, and Asus have models with antennas for increased signal gain of 9 dB to 15 dB which can increase Wi-Fi coverage to up to 150% of a standard router’s coverage area.
Tune your antennas in a way that they can receive signals with minimal interferences. It also permits you to tilt the router antennas in any manner that best suits the floor arrangement of your house and Wi-Fi coverage. The majority of current router antennas are omnidirectional and collapsible, which means that they can swivel and turn to where internet access is required.
Dial-up should be replaced by broadband if the current connection is slow. Ensure that the Cox internet speed is indeed commensurate with your network equipment capabilities. When you receive Gigabit fiber speeds but your home only has an 802.11n router, then changes are required. Any interruption along the line of modem, router, or Wi-Fi-enabled devices will hurt the coverage as well as the throughput of the Wi-Fi connectivity.
Examine options on client computers. Client devices can also influence the quality of Wi-Fi signals received and this can affect the network. Please make sure that the settings of the Wi-Fi adapter on your laptop are set to have the best connection range. Smartphones that are currently on the latest Android or iOS can also require updates for compatibility with the latest Wi-Fi technology. Occasionally, the USB Wi-Fi adapter has a superior range than the connected terminal laptop radios.
Remove the clutter to improve the view.! For instance, shifting the location of cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves and other objects of interference could help clear paths for Wi-Fi signals. Moving furniture, mirrors, or shelves that previously hindered or reflected signals is also helpful. Also, shutting some doors to prevent the router as well as the satellites from interference in specific rooms may help in enhancing the signal.
Change the Wi-Fi router from 20 to 40 20 to 60 or 40 to 60, etc. If the router administration setting is on a wider channel width, then more bandwidth can be attained which reinforces the wireless signal. Try switching down from the 20Mhz channel and up to 40Mhz or 80Mhz to check whether throughput is increased or not. Just know that higher channels may cause more interference with the other networks in the vicinity.
Aluminum foil boosts signal strength and is easy to use. What might look like an absurdity, using aluminum foil to focus and amplify Wi-Fi signals is sometimes beneficial since it helps manage the broadcast field. Be very cautious while placing the foil at the back of routers, extenders, or antennas with foil placed at a45 45-degree angle to kind of bounce or amplify what’s coming out.
Change Wi-Fi router antennas to higher gain antennas. If the Wi-Fi antennas that came with your router are weak in terms of signals, there are aftermarket replacements that plug directly into the standard antenna connectors for better directional transmission. There are high-gain examples like the 9dBi model that offers a 25%+ farther range than the typical 2-4dBi stock antennas.
Upgrade to a more robust router that supports the bridge mode function. On the other hand, encourage bridge mode on another more powerful router capable of wirelessly connecting and boosting the signal from the main Cox entry point. This one serves as a wireless access point that is great for Wi-Fi signals as it does not run the second NAT network but uses all the processing power for that purpose only.
Consult with Cox support if there is a need for further configuration of a gateway. Visit Cox and get in touch with their experts who will assess your equipment, account speed, and the layout of your home to suggest adjustments for the optimum settings. They have inside knowledge of where the ideal channel, band, and compatibility concerning these devices are concerned.
More often than not, just minor tweaks such as moving around sources of interference or purchasing a mesh system for the whole house integrated Wi-Fi solution. With boosting signals, one has to make sure that they take time to assess the surroundings and frequency of their usage. But by methodically applying fixes from this list, you can ensure that common dead zones do not get in the way of your success. Feel free to stream, game, and smart control your home environment wherever you are in your house!
Ready to upgrade your internet experience? Call us now at +1 844-349-7575 to explore the best Cox Internet plans for your needs!