Reliable wireless connectivity is essential for day-to-day operations, especially for businesses with distributed networks. A 2025 survey found that 25% of people say slow internet is the most frustrating workplace problem1 – directly impacting productivity and your bottom line.
If you're wondering how to boost your WiFi signal across your organization, these practical tips will help you strengthen coverage, eliminate interference, and improve overall performance.
What Affects WiFi Signal Strength?
Understanding what weakens your WiFi signal strength can help you create more effective solutions. Some common causes include:
- Physical obstructions like concrete walls, doors, and metal fixtures
- Outdated or misconfigured equipment
- Improper placement of access points
- Competing signals from other wireless devices
Identifying these issues early is a must for gaining a clear path toward an optimized network.
How To Improve WiFi Signal
WiFi signal strength often suffers from simple issues that have straightforward solutions. Here are our top tips you can follow to address the most common wireless network problems businesses face:
1. Optimize Access Point Placement
One of the most effective ways to boost WiFi signal is simply placing access points (APs) in smarter locations. Ideally, you should install APs centrally within the coverage zone, above any obstructions, and away from thick walls, electrical panels, and metal structures.
Many businesses unknowingly place APs in utility closets or corners, which limits range and creates unnecessary dead zones throughout the office space. Instead, mount them on ceilings to ensure they’re away from obstructions and easy to access for maintenance.
2. Update Firmware and Adjust Settings
Performance issues sometimes come down to outdated firmware or suboptimal configurations. Make it a habit to:
- Regularly update your access point firmware
- Enable features like band steering to automatically shift devices to less congested bands
- Disable legacy protocols (like 802.11b) that slow down your network
These backend tweaks can have a big impact on signal stability and speed across your entire network.
3. Reduce Interference
Electronic devices like microwaves, cordless phones, and even Bluetooth gadgets can interfere with WiFi signals. Switching from the crowded 2.4 GHz band to 5 GHz – or the emerging 6 GHz band if your devices support it – can reduce that interference.
You might also consider performing a spectrum analysis to uncover unexpected interference sources. After an analysis, you can change channels or move devices for a more stable connection throughout your workspace.
4. Boost WiFi With Wired Backhaul Connections
If you’re using multiple APs, consider using Ethernet for wired backhaul instead of relying on wireless meshing. Wired backhaul preserves wireless bandwidth for your users rather than consuming it for inter-AP communication. This approach reduces latency between access points, creating a snappier experience for everyone connected.
This setup can be particularly helpful for large buildings or environments with multiple floors where the WiFi signal might otherwise degrade between APs.
5. Upgrade Equipment to Support WiFi 6 or WiFi 7
Old hardware can't keep up with modern demands. If you're struggling with slow speeds or frequent disconnections, it might be time to upgrade.
Newer standards like WiFi 6 and WiFi 7 offer:
- Higher speeds and capacity
- Better support for simultaneous device connections
- Lower latency for real-time apps like video and voice
- Advanced power management features
- Enhanced security protocols
Upgrading your hardware can give your entire wireless network a major performance boost and future-proof your infrastructure for upcoming technologies.
6. Secure Your Network to Prevent Bandwidth Drain
If too many devices – especially unauthorized ones – are accessing your network, your WiFi signal strength can take a hit. Protect your bandwidth by:
- Using strong, unique passwords
- Enabling WPA3 encryption (or WPA2 at minimum)
- Regularly auditing who and what is connected
Segmenting your network into employee, guest, and IoT zones can also help prioritize performance for business-critical functions.
7. Run a WiFi Site Survey for Clear Visibility
If you’ve tried multiple fixes but still deal with weak signal areas or inconsistent performance, a professional WiFi site survey makes sense.
WiFi site surveys use advanced tools to map your actual coverage, reveal interference, and recommend the best placement for APs. Whether you’re designing a new network or optimizing an existing one, a WiFi survey takes the guesswork out of wireless planning.
8. Add Access Points Strategically
More isn’t always better – but sometimes, it’s necessary. If your building layout or user count has changed, you may need to install additional APs.
Make sure new APs are:
- Properly spaced to avoid channel overlap
- Connected via wired backhaul (when possible)
- Configured consistently with the rest of your network
Avoid placing APs too close together or duplicating old layouts without a new site survey, as this can create signal conflict rather than improvement.
9. Implement Quality of Service (QoS) Controls
Many businesses overlook the power of QoS settings when trying to improve WiFi performance. QoS controls let you prioritize certain types of network traffic so that critical applications receive bandwidth priority over less important activities.
Most business-grade routers and access points include QoS features that let you categorize traffic by app type, device, or user group. Taking the time to configure these settings can improve the speed of your WiFi, especially during busy periods.
10. Monitor and Maintain Your Network
Even after improvements, networks will degrade over time due to factors like environmental changes, new equipment, or increased device usage. Maintain a strong WiFi signal by regularly monitoring your network with real-time analytics tools that catch degradation before it impacts productivity.
You should also revisit your layout if you renovate or expand your office space, since new walls or rearranged work areas can create unexpected dead zones. Wireless networks require ongoing attention – regular maintenance helps them evolve alongside your business needs.
Increase WiFi Signal Strength With TailWind
When employees have reliable connectivity, they experience fewer disruptions, maintain higher productivity levels, and can focus on meaningful work rather than troubleshooting connection issues.
If you're still not sure how to increase WiFi signal strength across your business locations, TailWind can help. We offer WiFi surveys, access point planning, network design, and ongoing IT support tailored for multi-location enterprises – so you can rest easy knowing poor coverage and connectivity issues won’t slow down your business.
Let’s boost your WiFi signal together. Contact TailWind today to schedule a WiFi survey or learn more about our enterprise wireless services.
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