Suddenly getting disconnected when you go outside can be a frustrating experience, especially when you have important emails to reply to. It is great to have a change of scenery while watching videos and streaming your favorite films. That is why strong Wi-Fi is a plus in this area, even when you are on your lawn.
Suppose you have problems with Wi-Fi connectivity in your backyard or even issues with the signal. In that case, this article will answer your problems while offering practical tips on how to make Wi-Fi reach your backyard.
Table of Contents
What are the prerequisites for Wi-Fi?
Before we dive into the concern, it is important to know the basics of Wi-Fi. Routers, like modems, are essentially stand-alone computers that relay internet connections to and from the internet. While standard Wi-Fi connections do not need much setup, you will need, at the very least, a router to plug into the telephone socket.
A router may simultaneously link several computers to the internet since it eliminates the need for multiple individual modems. Although these are the very minimum requirements for Wi-Fi, you may discover that they are insufficient to get a connection while relaxing on your lawn. It is also important to understand how wireless internet works.
How does wireless internet work?
Wi-Fi communicates through radio waves. While the ranges for Wi-Fi are distinct from those of other technologies, the concept remains the same. Consider the visual representation of Wi-Fi as a calm body of water.
When a drop of water strikes calm water, the ripples gradually spread from that point. The waves are greatest around the center point and diminish in strength as they spread away. Like water ripples from its source, Wi-Fi transmits frequencies from the position of your router.
That is why several factors can affect your Wi-Fi connection. Here are some of the following:
Top Reasons why your backyard’s Wi-Fi has a bad connection
Wi-Fi coverage that is inconsistent in your garage and other areas of your house and yard may arise for a variety of reasons.
Network hardware factors:
- Network hardware placed in an inconvenient position
- Out-of-date network hardware
Signal interference
- caused by other electronics
- extra-thick walls and flooring in the residence
- Signal blockage from certain materials used in house building (such as metal, concrete, and brick walls)
Another factor:
- Your network and router settings are incorrect.
Is it possible to extend my Wi-Fi outdoors?
Before implementing any solution, determine if expanding your Wi-Fi makes sense. Take notice of outdoor outlets, alternative power sources, and the closeness of internal areas such as garages and sheds to the area where Wi-Fi is desired.
Equipment located next to external walls will have an extended range. If your deck has a socket close to the entrance, you may need one device in that outlet to provide enough coverage.
Humidity, temperature, and precipitation all have the potential to interfere with Wi-Fi transmissions. These weather events drain the battery and decrease the range of any gadget you use.
Choose equipment with sufficient power and weatherproofing characteristics to compensate for these variables.
- Utilize a Wi-Fi signal testing app to determine your current range and strength.
- Look for natural and artificial obstructions to Wi-Fi, such as thick walls or metal fences.
How to get Wi-Fi in the backyard: Tips on how to get a better signal outdoors
Here’s how to get Wi-Fi in the backyard. Tips and steps you can try to make your Wi-Fi signal reach your lawn.
1. Place the router in a more convenient location
One of the easiest and least expensive options is to relocate your router closer to where you’ll spend most of your time utilizing Wi-Fi.
Ensure you have a suitable location for your modem, router, or modem/router combination. You will still need to connect it to the house’s internet connection, and the router will need an Ethernet connection from the modem.
Why you should place the router in a high location:
Where you may relocate your router is mostly determined by how your home is connected. Because routers transmit signals in a lateral direction, putting the router in a high place may enhance coverage.
If your router is on the ground, the signal will flow horizontally down the floor, reaching fewer locations in your house and garden. Consider displaying it on a bookshelf or hanging it on the wall in a concealed place.
Why you should be wary of large objects and other impediments
You may conceal your router under a shelf or in a closet if you do not want it out in the open. While this may improve the appearance of your space, it may degrade your signal.
Consider the water ripple analogy; adding obstacles may effectively block your signal. Similarly, if a wall is near the water drop that produces the ripple, the ripple will come to a halt at the wall, regardless of its proximity to the center.
If you can see your router, you should have a strong signal. If you cannot see your router, the signal has been weakened at the source.
A big barrier may already block your router, and just relocating it farther out in the open may significantly enhance your Wi-Fi in your garden. While a brick wall is a well-known Wi-Fi jammer, any physical item has an effect. This includes walls, shelving, and even your television.
Why you should test indoor and outdoor signal
Once you’ve located a suitable site that is devoid of obstructions, do a test to see if you get a signal in your garden. Even if your Wi-Fi connection improves in your backyard, you’ll want to ensure that it remains functional throughout your house.
If you intend to spend most of your time outside using Wi-Fi, you may not mind if the signal is weaker inside. However, if you discover that it is impeding your ability to connect to the internet in the areas of your home where you need it, you may want to consider one of the other choices below.
2. Update your hardware and software
Hardware/equipment update
Your Wi-Fi router is not indestructible. As with any other electronic gadget, technological advancements will eventually render it outdated.
If you’re experiencing problems with bandwidth or dead spots, contact your ISP for assistance, or you could opt to purchase your own. Bear in mind that if you resort to DIY, your ISP may not guide you through the setup procedure or subsequent problems.
Software update
Manufacturers are always attempting to stay up with technological advancements, which means continually releasing changes, updates, and upgrades. These changes may be performed in a matter of seconds through your online connection.
If you’re experiencing trouble with your Wi-Fi connection, ensure that all of your equipment’s firmware is up to date, whether it’s your router, smartphone, or computer. Certain goods even allow for automatic configuration.
You should consult the device’s settings or manual to see if you can adopt a set-it-and-forget-it strategy.
3. Double-check configuration settings
It is conceivable that your gear is working properly but is set incorrectly or needs a firmware upgrade. Adjust the parameters until you’re happy with the performance. Most modern routers operate on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands.
Alternate between the two frequencies to see if you obtain better results. If you are not technologically skilled, troubleshooting your internet network problems may seem daunting. Contact your ISP’s technical assistance if you’re having difficulty sorting anything out.
Additionally, if technical assistance is ineffective, request that your ISP send a technician to your house to resolve your network problems. Another option is to employ a home network expert to assist you in optimizing your setup.
4. Purchase a wifi extender
If you’ve tried relocating your router and discovered that the signal is weak elsewhere in the home, a Wi-Fi extender may assist.
What is a Wi-Fi extender?
As the name implies, a Wi-Fi extender amplifies the Wi-Fi signal generated by your primary router.
You may even be able to keep your router in place and then relocate the extension to a more convenient location in your garden. Wi-Fi extenders can help you extend the signal, thus, the name itself, but there are still factors to consider before purchasing one.
Pros
A wifi extender will eliminate interfering signals and cross talk and will help you get ample signal range. Aside from that, it is also affordable and simple to assemble.
Cons
Some models require repeated login for relocation. For the less expensive versions, you may also experience frequent router interference and issues with compatibility with some routers. And still, distance matters as range and signal strength dependdepende the router’s distance.
Wi-Fi extenders are only functional within a relatively limited range (about 30m). If your position is more than 30m distant, you may need several repeaters, like one placed in the garden area, to bounce the signal from one point to another.
It is critical to understand that the signal degrades the farther it has to go. As a result, if your garden structure is located a significant distance from your house, you may want to explore another approach.
Consider a traditional Wi-Fi extender
A traditional Wi-Fi extender resembles a little router equipped with antennae. It may be connected wirelessly or through ethernet to your primary router.
It’s purpose-built to extend your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to get a strong signal without having to be directly next to the primary router. A Wi-Fi extender may be connected wirelessly or through ethernet to your primary router.
Consider purchasing a mesh Wi-Fi system
If you have a big yard or a large home or are concerned that Wi-Fi extenders are insufficient for your needs, consider investing in a mesh network. While they are comparable to Wi-Fi extenders, they are usually more powerful, dependable, and successful at establishing a network of numerous Wi-Fi sources across your house and yard.
What is a mesh Wi-Fi system?
A mesh network is a collection of devices collaborating to form a single Wi-Fi network. Rather than enhancing a single router’s signal, they all serve as different sources or points of Wi-Fi around the home and interact wirelessly.
It is recommended to check with your internet provider before purchasing a standalone device to see whether they provide a mesh network option.
While mesh networks are usually quicker and have a stronger connection, they may be difficult to set up. They can also be more expensive than the traditional ones, and the price could be overkill.
However, the built-in redundancy alleviates certain configuration problems without requiring you to log in each time you move it. Connections will also become faster and more consistent, and built-in redundancy minimizes signal blackout.
How to buy a mesh Wi-Fi system?
Google and Amazon dominate the industry when purchasing mesh networks independently of an existing web provider. And, besides cost, Google’s Wi-Fi Mesh network is somewhat less expensive than Amazon’s eero one. Furthermore, it is likely to rely on your other smart home devices.
5. Add another router
Similarly to the preceding approach, you may set up a second router to serve as a Wi-Fi extender. This is an excellent choice if you already have an extra router in your house. This method requires a little more setup but may be less expensive than buying a separate Wi-Fi extension.
Here are the steps you need to follow if you decide on going this route.
- Connect the older router’s WAN port to the newer router’s LAN port and the older router to a device.
- Open the settings menu on your older router and search for anything similar to “access point mode,” as it is most often referred to.
- Restart your router and connect your Ethernet wire to the LAN port instead of the WAN port.
- To get the new IP address for the older router, open the settings of the newer router and go to the area where your router displays the connected devices. One of these should be your older router.
- Find an appropriate spot for your router. Ensure you have a sufficient length of Ethernet wire and a suitable location for the older router.
- Configure the wireless networks on the old router. You may use the old router’s SSID and password but give them different names to distinguish them. You may choose between a newer or an older router when you connect to the internet.
- Double-check that you are connected to the best Wi-Fi network while switching between the two. Although manually switching between the two may be inconvenient, you’ll know you’re always receiving the greatest signal.
- Verify the connection. Connect your phone, computer, or tablet to each router and do a connectivity test.
6. Consider an ethernet extension
Although it would need more effort, connecting an Ethernet underground from your house to your garden is the last option to explore. This choice may be the best fit if you have a designated space in your backyard, such as a separate small home on the other side of your yard.
If you choose this option, we recommend hiring someone to do the work for you rather than collecting supplies, digging a trench, and doing the labor yourself.
On average, ethernet cable has a maximum length of 328 feet, which is longer than a football field. This trailing wire must be shielded from the elements or installed professionally, e.g., underground. However, the advantage is that it provides a more stable and secure connection.
Conclusion
That’s how to get Wi-Fi in the backyard. Placing the router in a more strategic location, updating your software and hardware, double-checking your configuration, and buying a Wi-Fi extender, a new router, or an ethernet extender are some tips you can do to get a better Wi-Fi signal on your lawn.
Choose one that suits your needs and budget. Be sure to double-check and configure first before you proceed with purchasing new equipment.
Last update on 2024-05-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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