Common Wireless Router Problems

I am having problems maintaining a usable signal to my wireless router.

This is most likely due to problems with noise, interference, distortion and echo. Most wireless routers operate best within a range of 4 meters; however this can vary depending on the environment.

There are a number of steps that you can take to improve the signal:

• Firstly, try changing the channel that is used to transmit the signal may improve the connection if there is interference in the area. Instructions on how to do this can be found in your router user manual.
• Wireless speakers, cordless earphones, some Bluetooth devices and similar systems can be the source of interference. Some systems do not conform to wireless regulations and may cause interference. Shut off suspect devices or remove them from the area.
• Range is highly dependent on the physical environment. For example, thickness of walls, presence of radiators in the line of sight, etc.
• Range also depends on the electronic environment. If other equipment that could cause interference is nearby, the range of your transceiver could vary widely and could change suddenly when the other equipment activates. Frequencies are shared with microwave ovens, cordless phones, wireless hi-fi speakers, electronics toys, baby monitors, walkie talkies, and similar devices. Try to keep your system away from other transmitters, and from other sources of electrical noise, such as large motors, spot welders, and similar electronically noisy devices.
• Avoid mounting the wireless router close to fluorescent light fixtures - the lamp glow appears constant, but inside the lamp tube, ionization appears and disappears 120 times a second. This can modulate or chop an incoming signal and interfere with reception.

How do I extend the range of my wireless signal?

Improving a wireless signal is an inexact science that's part luck, part trial and error. No two locations are alike and no two solutions will work for everyone but here are some common guidelines. First, position your antenna on a high perch clear of obstructions. (The wireless signal radiates down). Keep in mind that certain things will interfere with the signal: Objects with high water content, metal, and dense building materials such as brick, stucco, and concrete. So avoid blocks of liquid (fish tanks and water coolers), and metal pipes and construction.

How do I automatically connect to a Wi-Fi network without having to manually connect the first time?

If you just want to connect fast to any available network, you can set your notebook to do so automatically. Go to Control Panel > Network Connections and right-click your current wireless network. Then click Properties > Wireless Networks > Advanced. Make sure the radio button next to "Any available network (access point preferred)" is on, then check the box "Automatically connect to non-preferred networks."

Which wireless channel should I use?

Wireless 802.11b and 802.11g routers have at least 11 channels, and most routers come set to channel 6 as the default. If you experience interference -- from a neighbor's router, for instance -- you can change your channel to solve the problem. Channels 1, 6, and 11 are non-overlapping channels; other channels overlap a bit. So if your neighbor's network uses channel 6, change your router to 1 or 11. You'll typically find channel settings on the router's basic wireless settings page. Just click the drop-down menu and select an alternate channel, then save the settings.

How do I share files on a wireless network?

First, you'll need to set up a workgroup and make sure that all PCs / Laptops are assigned to the same workgroup. Next, enable file sharing in Windows. First, right-click on the folder you want to share, choose Sharing and Security from the right-click context menu, then click the Sharing tab. Put checks in the boxes labeled "Share this folder on a network" and "Allow network users to change my files" to enable others to modify the documents. Finally, click OK.

What is a hardware firewall? If my router has one, do I need to run the Windows firewall or other third-party firewall software?

Most wireless routers have a hardware firewall that safeguards the network by providing both incoming and outgoing protection. A hardware firewall will include network address translation (NAT) capabilities that make your PC invisible to anyone trying to attack it. If you enable the hardware firewall, you probably don't need a third-party software firewall. You should still run the Windows firewall, however, because it keeps a low profile and will stop basic worms if your PC gets hit by a drive-by downloader.