Weak Wi-Fi Signal

Wi-Fi works best when the signal can travel easily around your home. In some properties, certain rooms may have weak or no signal. This guide explains how to identify Wi-Fi dead zones and the most effective ways to improve coverage.

What is a Wi-Fi Dead Zone?

A Wi-Fi dead zone is an area where your device receives very little or no wireless signal. 

In these areas you may notice:

• Slow speeds
  
• Frequent disconnections
  
• Difficulty connecting at all

You can find dead zones by walking around your home with a connected device and noting where the signal drops.

For a more accurate check, you can use a Wi-Fi analyser app, which shows signal strength around your property and helps identify problem areas.

Common Causes of Poor Coverage

• Distance from the router: 
  The further away you are, the weaker the signal becomes
  
  
• Thick walls or floors: 
  Concrete, metal and brick reduce Wi-Fi strength
• Interference: 
  Microwaves, cordless phones and baby monitors can disrupt Wi-Fi
  
  
• Poor router placement: 
  Routers hidden in cupboards or behind TVs perform badly
  
  
• Old equipment: 
  Older routers may not be powerful enough for modern homes

Option 1: Reposition Your Router (Best First Step)

Moving your router can make a noticeable difference. A more central or open location reduces the number of walls the signal must pass through.

If you have Ultrafast Broadband with data sockets, you may be able to relocate your router using your existing internal cabling.

See: Ultrafast Broadband – Data Sockets

Benefits:

• Free or low cost
  
• Often improves coverage in small or medium homes

Limitations:

• May not solve problems in large or multi-storey homes
• Ideal locations are not always practical

Option 2: Install a Mesh Wi-Fi System (Recommended)

A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple units that work together to spread Wi-Fi evenly throughout your home.

Each unit relays the signal to the next, creating whole-home coverage rather than relying on one router to do everything.

Mesh systems provide far more reliable coverage than simple boosters, especially in larger or complex properties.

Vfast offers a supported mesh solution:

See: V-Smart Mesh Wi-Fi

Benefits:

• Best and most consistent coverage
  
• Ideal for larger homes or thick walls
  
• Seamless roaming between rooms
• Supported by Vfast

Limitations:

• Higher cost than boosters
• Larger homes may need more than one unit

Option 3: Use Powerline Adapters

Powerline (HomePlug) adapters send your connection through your home’s electrical wiring.

One adapter plugs in near the router, and another plugs in near the area with poor signal. Some models also provide Wi-Fi or Ethernet ports.

Benefits:

• Not affected by walls
  
• Provides stable wired connections
  
• Good for rooms far from the router

Limitations:

• Performance depends on house wiring
• Higher cost than basic boosters
• May need multiple adapters
• Does not provide seamless Wi-Fi roaming 

Option 4: Use a Wi-Fi Booster or Repeater

Boosters extend Wi-Fi by repeating the signal from your router.

They must be placed halfway between the router and the weak area. If placed in a dead zone, they cannot improve coverage.

Benefits:

• Easy to install
  
• Low upfront cost

Limitations:

• Speeds are reduced
• Still affected by walls and interference
• Less reliable than mesh systems
• Does not provide seamless Wi-Fi roaming 

Choosing the Right Solution

For most homes:

• Small homes: 
  Router repositioning may be enough
  
  
• Medium to large homes: 
  Mesh Wi-Fi is the best solution
  
  
• Very distant rooms: 
  Powerline adapters may help
  
  
• Temporary or light use: 
  Boosters may be acceptable

Summary

• Dead zones are caused by distance, walls and interference
  
• Move your router first where possible
  
• Mesh Wi-Fi provides the most reliable whole-home coverage
  
• Powerline works well for distant rooms
  
• Boosters are the least reliable option
  

For supported equipment and guidance, see:

• V-Smart Mesh Wi-Fi
• Improve Wi-Fi Performance