Ever walked into a corner of your house and suddenly your phone or laptop refuses to connect to Wi-Fi? That’s not just bad luck — it’s what’s known as a Wi-Fi dead spot.
These “no-signal zones” are frustrating, especially when they affect areas you actually need to work or relax in. The good news: most dead spots are fixable with a few simple adjustments.
“[Dead spots] usually occur due to distance from a Wi-Fi router, obstructions from walls and furniture, interference from other devices, poor router placement or a combination of all these factors,” explains smart home and networking writer Dhruv Bhutani.
With internet costs rising (a recent CNET survey found 63% of US adults report higher monthly bills), it’s worth making sure you’re getting every bit of value from your connection. Here’s how to diagnose and fix those weak zones once and for all.
Step 1: Diagnose your Wi-Fi dead spots
Run a Speed Test
According to Joe Supan, senior broadband reporter at CNET, the easiest way to confirm a dead zone is by running a speed test:
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Walk around your home and test your speeds in different areas.
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If you notice dramatically lower speeds compared to the rest of your house — or lower than what your plan promises — you’ve found a dead spot.
Popular apps include Ookla (Speedtest), Fast, and M-Lab.
Map Your Network
For more precision, use a Wi-Fi analyzer app like Netspot or Fing (available on iOS and Android). Check the signal strength (RSSI, measured in dBm):
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-30 dBm: Strong signal
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-70 to -80 dBm: Weak signal
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Anything worse than -80 dBm usually means no usable connection.
Step 2: Try the easiest fixes
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Reposition your router: Keep it in a central location, off the ground, and away from walls or heavy furniture. Ceiling mounting (if possible) gives even better coverage.
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Adjust antennas: Position one vertically and one horizontally to improve reach, especially in multilevel homes.
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Reboot the router: Unplug it for 30 seconds and plug it back in. This clears glitches and solves most issues.
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Reset if needed: If rebooting doesn’t help, restore factory settings via the reset button or your router’s app.
Step 3: Consider upgrading your equipment
Sometimes old gear just can’t keep up.
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New Router: Experts recommend upgrading every 5 years. Modern routers with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 offer faster speeds and access to the 6GHz band (less crowded than 2.4/5GHz).
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Wi-Fi Extenders: A budget-friendly way to expand coverage in smaller homes. Models like Linksys RE7310 ($80) or TP-Link RE220 (<$15) can help.
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Mesh Systems: For large or multilevel homes, a mesh system like the Eero 6 Plus (covers 4,500 sq. ft., supports 75+ devices) spreads your Wi-Fi evenly using multiple access points.
Step 4: Fine-tune your network
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Switch Channels: If neighbors are on the same Wi-Fi channel, interference slows you down. A Wi-Fi analyzer app can help you find a clearer channel.
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Band Steering: Let your router automatically connect devices to the best band (2.4GHz for range, 5GHz for speed).
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Keep Firmware Updated: Regular updates boost performance and add security patches.
