How to Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength

Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength

This article will show you how to check Wi-Fi signal strength on various platforms. These instructions apply to current versions of Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.

How to Test the Strength of Your Wi-Fi Signal

The strength of the radio signal impacts how well a Wi-Fi wireless network connection works. The signal strength in each direction determines the data rate available on the link between the wireless access point and a connected device.

Use the methods listed below to measure the signal strength of your Wi-Fi connection and discover strategies to optimise Wi-Fi reception on your connected devices.

Different tools may provide different outcomes. These disparities are due to differences in how utilities accumulate samples and when they provide an overall grade.

Make Use of the Built-in Operating System Utility

Microsoft Windows and other operating systems have a tool for monitoring wireless network connections. This is the quickest and most straightforward method for determining Wi-Fi strength.

Select the network icon on the taskbar in later versions of Windows to view the wireless network you're connected to. Five bars represent the signal strength of the connection—one bar represents the most damaging connection, and five bars represent the greatest.

In current versions of Windows, open Control Panel and navigate to Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center, then select the blue Wi-Fi link to check the Wi-Fi strength.

On a Mac, the Wi-Fi signal is situated in the menu bar in the upper-right corner of the screen. One bar represents the worst connection, while three represents the greatest.

To display the signal level in the terminal window on Linux computers, run the following command:

iwconfig wlan0 | grep -i --colour signal

The terminal output is shown as a dB value. The greater the minus sign, the weaker the signal. Signal strength ranging from -50 dBm to -70 dBm is rated excellent to good.

Make Use of a Smartphone or Tablet

Any internet-capable mobile device includes a section in the settings that displays the strength of the Wi-Fi networks in range. On an iPhone, for example, launch the Settings application and navigate to Wi-Fi to view the Wi-Fi strength of the network you're on and the signal strength of any networks in range.

On an Android phone or tablet, a similar strategy may be utilised. Look for a menu that says Settings, Wi-Fi, or Network. For example, on a Google Pixel running Android 10, go to Settings > Network & internet, pick the Wi-Fi you're using, and then tap the gear icon next to the network you're connected to. The signal strength is displayed there.

Another alternative is downloading free software like Wi-Fi Analyzer for Android, which graphically displays the Wi-Fi power in dBm compared to other adjacent networks. Similar solutions exist for additional systems.

Launch the Utility Program for Your Wireless Adapter

Some wireless network hardware or notebook computer vendors offer software apps that check wireless signal strength. These programs report signal strength and quality as a percentage ranging from 0% to 100%, as well as extra information relevant to the device.

The operating system utility and the vendor hardware utility may present the same information in different forms. For example, a connection with an outstanding 5-bar rating in Windows may appear in the vendor software as good, with a percentage rating ranging from 80 to 100 percent. Vendor utilities can frequently use additional hardware instrumentation to compute radio signal levels of decibels (dB) precisely.

Another Option is to Use Wi-Fi Locators

A Wi-Fi discovering gadget examines radio frequencies in the surrounding environment for the signal strength of nearby wireless access points. Wi-Fi locators are little hardware gadgets that may be attached to a keychain.

Most Wi-Fi locators, like the Windows application, use a series of four to six LEDs to display signal strength in bars. Wi-Fi locator devices, on the other hand, do not test the strength of a connection but rather predict the level of a connection.

FAQs

How can I Improve the Strength of my WiFi Signal?

To avoid interference, try relocating your router to increase your Wi-Fi signal. You may also modify your Wi-Fi channel numbers, update your router firmware, enhance your router's antennas, add a signal amplifier, utilise a wireless access point, or try with a Wi-Fi extender.

How can I Re-Establish WiFi?

Restart your router and modem to reset your Wi-Fi. Wait around 30 seconds after unplugging the router and modem. Then, connect the modem and turn it on. Please wait 60 seconds before plugging in the router and turning it on. Allow approximately two minutes before testing or utilising the gadgets.

What is the Password to my WiFi?

To discover your Wi-Fi password in Windows 10:

• Go to the Network and Sharing Center, Connections, and finally, your network.
• Navigate to Security under Wireless Network Properties, then choose Show characters to reveal the Wi-Fi password.
• Open the Keychain Access program on a Mac and navigate to System > Passwords; double-click the network > Show password.