If Windows ever notifies you about a weak signal, it probably means your connection isn't as fast or as reliable as it could be. Or, you might lose your wireless connection entirely in some parts of your home.

Below are some tips for extending your wireless range and improving your wireless network performance to prevent these issues.

1. Position your wireless router (or wireless access point) in a central location.
   When possible, place your wireless router in a central location in your home. If your wireless router is against an outside wall of your home, the signal will be weak on the other side of your home. This may involve using a different phone jack in your house.
   
   



2. Check you have line filters in place
   Most New Zealand broadband connections are implemented over a standard phone line using a small filter on each of the phone jacks to split the phone calls and the broadband data out. Ensure that you have filters on every jack point in your house. Although this won't help your wireless connection directly it may increase your broadband connectivity.



3. Move the router off the floor and away from walls and metal objects (such as metal file cabinets).
   Metal, walls, and floors will interfere with your router's wireless signals. The closer your router is to these obstructions, the more severe the interference, and the weaker your connection will be.



4. Replace your router's antenna.
   The antennas supplied with your router are designed to be omni-directional, meaning they broadcast in all directions around the router. If your router IS near an outside wall, half of the wireless signals will be sent outside your home, and much of your router's power will be wasted. Most routers don't allow you to increase the power output, but you can make better use of the power. Upgrade to a hi-gain antenna (available at electronics retailers) that focuses the wireless signals only one direction. You can aim the signal in the direction you need it most.
   
   



5. Replace your computer's wireless network adapter.
   Wireless network signals must be sent both to and from your computer. Sometimes, your router can broadcast strongly enough to reach your computer, but your computer can't send signals back to your router.
   
   To improve this, try replacing your laptop or PC's wireless network adapter with a USB network adapter that uses an external antenna. Note: Laptops with built-in wireless typically have excellent antennas and don't need to have their network adapters upgraded.



6. Add a wireless repeater.
   Wireless repeaters extend your wireless network range without requiring you to add any wiring. Just place the wireless repeater halfway between your wireless access point and your computer, and you'll get an instant boost in wireless signal strength.
   Wireless repeaters are available from electronics retailers.



7. Change your wireless channel.
   Wireless routers can broadcast on several different channels, similar to the way radio stations use different frequencies. And like radios you'll sometimes get interference on particular wireless channels if you or your neighbours have other wireless devices (such as wireless phones).
   Try changing your router's wireless channel through your router's configuration page to see if your signal strength improves. You don't need to change your computer's configuration, because it'll automatically detect the new channel.



8. Reduce wireless interference.
   If you have cordless phones or other wireless electronics in your home, your computer might not be able to "hear" your router over the noise from the other wireless devices. To quiet the noise, avoid wireless electronics that use the 2.4GHz frequency. Instead, look for cordless phones that use the 5.8GHz or 900MHz frequencies.



9. Update your firmware or your network adapter driver.
   Router manufacturers regularly make free improvements to their routers. Sometimes, these improvements increase performance. To get the latest firmware updates for your router, visit your router manufacturer's Web site.
   
   Similarly, network adapter vendors occasionally update the drivers that Windows uses to communicate with your network adapter. These updates typically improve performance and reliability. To get the updates, visit Microsoft Update, and then under Select by Type click Hardware, Optional. Install any updates relating to your wireless network adapter. It wouldn't hurt to install any other updates while you're visiting Microsoft Update, too.



10. Pick equipment from a single vendor.
    While a Linksys router will work with a Netgear network adapter, you often get better performance if you use a router and network adapter from the same vendor. Some vendors offer a performance boost of up to twice the performance when you choose their hardware, and many also have wireless networking product bundles allowing you to get both the router and the network adapter together at the cheaper rate.



11. Upgrade 802.11b devices to 802.11g.
    802.11b is the most common type of wireless network, but 802.11g is about five times faster. 802.11g is backward-compatible with 802.11b, so you can still use any 802.11b equipment that you have. If you're using 802.11b and you're unhappy with the performance, consider replacing your router and network adapters with 802.11g-compatible equipment. If you're buying new equipment, definitely choose 802.11g.
    Wireless networks never reach the theoretical bandwidth limits. 802.11b networks typically get 2-5Mbps. 802.11g is usually in the 13-23Mbps range. Belkin's Pre-N equipment has been measured at 37-42Mbps.