Weak apartment Wi-Fi: how to find the cause
Check internet access, wireless coverage and network load before buying a new router.
First distinguish internet access from Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi connects a device to the local network; the internet connection links that network to the internet. A slow speed test in a bedroom does not identify the cause on its own. Record the location, time, device and whether the connection is slow or disconnects.
Make comparable checks
- Test the same computer over Ethernet if a port is available, then compare Wi-Fi close to the router.
- Repeat the test on the same device in the affected room and record the result.
- Temporarily pause your own large downloads. Compare quiet periods with busy periods.
- Record video-call quality and disconnections as well as peak download speed.
What do these comparisons show?
If Ethernet works well but Wi-Fi is poor next to the router, review settings and compare another device. If Wi-Fi works nearby but fails in a distant room, coverage may be the issue. If Ethernet is also poor, investigate load, the router and the provider connection. These are diagnostic directions, not a final diagnosis from one measurement.
Plan access-point placement before buying equipment
Avoid hiding an access point behind a television or inside a cabinet. Position, walls and room layout affect coverage. An additional wireless point also needs a good connection to the network. Where possible, plan an Ethernet connection to the extra access point and check equipment compatibility.
What to send for an assessment
Send an approximate floor plan, router model, number of floors and affected rooms. Mention existing Ethernet cables and the usual number of connected devices. There is no need to send your network password with the first inquiry.
Wi-Fi and networks in Zadar and nearby