Slow or dropping Wi-Fi in certain rooms is one of the most common home tech complaints. The cause is usually physics — distance, walls and interference — which means many fixes cost nothing.

1. Move the router

Routers broadcast in all directions. Placing one in a cupboard, behind a TV or at floor level wastes much of its signal. Aim for a central, elevated, open spot in your home, away from thick walls, mirrors and large metal objects.

2. Use the right band

Most modern routers offer 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands (and some add 6 GHz). The lower band travels further through walls but is slower and more crowded; higher bands are faster but have shorter range. Devices far from the router may do better on 2.4 GHz.

3. Reduce interference

  • Keep the router away from microwaves, cordless phone bases and baby monitors.
  • Let the router choose the least congested channel automatically, or pick one manually using a Wi-Fi analyser app.
  • Restart the router occasionally and install firmware updates.

4. When to add hardware

If your home is large or has several floors, a mesh Wi-Fi system usually works better than a single powerful router or a basic range extender. For a fixed device such as a desktop or TV, a wired Ethernet connection or powerline adapter can be the most reliable option.

Test before and after

Run a speed test in each problem room before making changes, then again afterwards. It shows what actually helped.