Why is my Wi-Fi signal bad?

If your Wi-Fi signal degrades as you move away from your u-mee fibre router (e.g. in other rooms, possibly in a large home), you may need to look at some possible reasons for this and also at the various available solutions. 

Unfortunately, speed issues aren’t always easy to diagnose. So we’ve listed a brief explanation of what possible things might be causing the slowdown. It is important to realise that the list below is not exhaustive and they are linked to both Wi-Fi speed and also Wi-Fi signal distribution. 

Router Positioning:

• Many people underestimate the importance of picking the right spot for a Wi-Fi router. Even a small shift in positioning could end up causing slow Wi-Fi.

• Higher is better than lower - Leaving your router on the ground or behind other objects usually results in noticeably worse performance.

• Materials like concrete and metal are usually the biggest blockers of Wi-Fi signals.

• Other materials can also impede your wireless network’s performance, too. Make sure any other large or notable objects don’t block your router.


• The further away from your router you get, the weaker the Wi-Fi signal.


• Wi-Fi broadcasts in 360 degrees, so it doesn’t necessarily make sense to put the router at one end of the house.

Wireless Interference & Noise:

• You may not be aware, but there are wireless signals all around you wherever you go. These signals come from our electronic devices, Wi-Fi routers, satellites, cell towers, TV's and more.

• Although Wi-Fi is usually on a different frequency than most of these devices, the amount of radio noise can still cause interference

• Microwaves and Bluetooth devices operate at the same frequency as Wi-Fi routers. Keeping routers away from Bluetooth devices is always recommended. 

• Background noise from other routers in close proximity to your own router. Simply searching for your Wi-Fi on a smartphone/tablet will show you how much competition there is in your area. 

• If two or more routers in the vicinity are broadcasting on the same channel of Wi-Fi they will interfere with each other. Modern routers can choose channels for you automatically, but sometimes it’s better to investigate and find the best channel available in your area: Change your Wi-Fi channel
  

• Other people using your network – Downloading of large files, using Torrents, Netflix or other streaming services. 

Identifying the cause of your slow Wi-Fi can be a challenge. From router placement to the people in your home, there are a lot of possibilities. Having checked your router's configuration and established that there is no fault, then we can only suggest the investment of an AC Access point or Wi-Fi booster depending on your requirement.