Five low-cost Wi-Fi adjustments are worth trying: move the router to an open central spot, raise it, check antenna orientation, choose a band suited to the device’s location, and update firmware or test a less congested channel. A foil reflector is a less certain experiment. Results depend on your router, home layout, and devices, so check coverage where you actually need it rather than expecting a guaranteed speed boost.
1. Put the router in an open, central location
A router tucked in a corner, cabinet, or behind furniture has a harder time serving distant rooms. TP-Link recommends placing it centrally and notes that walls and cabinets can weaken signal. Try an open spot that is as close as practical to the areas where you use Wi-Fi; avoid hiding the router for appearance’s sake. TP-Link’s router placement guidance explains the trade-off.
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Check reception in the room that matters before and after moving it. Placement can improve coverage, but it cannot increase the speed supplied by a slow internet plan or fix every cause of buffering.
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2. Raise the router and adjust its antennas
TP-Link recommends putting a router on a table or shelf rather than directly on the floor. Its guidance also suggests changing antenna orientation to suit the home: vertical antennas for coverage on one floor, and an angled position when serving multiple floors. These are starting points, not universal rules; antenna design and building layout vary. Follow the router maker’s antenna guidance, then check signal in the locations you use.
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- 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 - Enjoy extended coverage with strong performance powered by Adaptive Path Selection and simple setup using One-Touch Connection. Perfect for everyday users looking to eliminate dead zones.
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- 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐒𝐪. 𝐅𝐭 - Two adjustable external antennas provide optimal Wi-Fi coverage and reliable connections and eliminating dead zones for up to 32 devices.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
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3. Choose the Wi-Fi band for the room
If your router offers separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, try 5 GHz for nearby devices and 2.4 GHz for devices farther away or behind walls. The best choice depends on distance and obstacles, so a band that performs well beside the router may not be the best choice in a back room. Depending on your router and device, you may need to select the network yourself; some systems manage band selection automatically.
Test the connection where you use the device rather than assuming one band is always faster throughout the home. TP-Link’s weak-signal guide covers band selection alongside other troubleshooting steps.
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4. Update firmware and check channel congestion
Router firmware updates can address problems in the router’s software, while changing a congested Wi-Fi channel may help when nearby networks compete for airtime. Router menus differ, so use the manufacturer’s instructions for checking updates and channel settings; many routers offer an automatic channel option. Make one change at a time and check the affected room again. These steps are troubleshooting, not a guaranteed remedy for an overloaded internet plan or every cause of slow service. TP-Link’s guide recommends checking both firmware and channel congestion.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches5. Treat aluminum foil as an experiment, not a fix
A curved sheet of foil placed behind a router may redirect some signal toward a chosen area, rather than increasing coverage everywhere. Tom’s Guide describes trying this approach and recommends checking the problem spot before and after. That report is one household’s experience, not controlled evidence that foil produces reliable results across homes. If you try it, keep the router and device in the same positions for both checks and remove the foil if it makes other rooms worse. Tom’s Guide’s account describes its setup.
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- 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐡-𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 - Easily expand your network for seamless, whole-home mesh connectivity by connecting the RE715X to any EasyMesh-compatible router.* Not compatible with mesh WiFi systems like Deco.
- 𝐃𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 - Please note that all Wireless Extenders are designed to improve WiFi coverage and not increase speeds. Actual speeds will be 50% or less from current speeds. However, improving signal reliability can boost overall performance.
When a hardware fix makes more sense
If one isolated area remains weak after placement and settings changes, a range extender may be a better-targeted option. For gaps across several rooms or floors, compare mesh systems instead. Neither is automatically necessary: the floor plan, building materials, node placement, and connection between nodes all affect the result.
Use an extender for a limited dead zone
An extender receives the existing Wi-Fi signal and repeats it, so it needs to be placed where the router’s signal is still usable. TP-Link recommends starting roughly halfway between the router and the weak area. Concrete, metal, and microwave interference can affect reception, so adjust placement and check the result in the dead zone. TP-Link’s guide to extenders, powerline, and mesh explains the options.
Consider mesh for broader coverage
A mesh system uses multiple nodes to spread coverage through a home, making it a candidate when weak spots span rooms or floors. Compare how many nodes you need and where they can go, as well as whether their backhaul—the connection carrying traffic between nodes—uses shared wireless, dedicated wireless, or Ethernet. Wired Ethernet backhaul requires cabling; ASUS says it can provide the best performance. More nodes do not automatically mean better performance, and mesh may be unnecessary for a single weak room. TP-Link’s router-versus-mesh comparison and ASUS’s mesh overview describe these trade-offs.
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