Will Wi-Fi really pass through the walls? This is what the experts reveal

It is a simple question, but it is raised a little: he does Wi-fi Traveling through the walls? Yes, but not completely. I did not completely understand myself, so I talked to many experts, including a CNET Technical LaboratoryTo find answers.

With an insertion Wi-Fi 6and Wi-Fi 6e The latest standard, Wi-Fi 7Wi-Fi has improved steadily in recent years. Having a Wi-Fi connection is sufficient, but many people are still fighting with home internet. In a recent CNET scanning42 % of the respondents complained about the presence of unreliable connection.

Many of the factors that play in it, but when it comes to Wi -Fi, there are quick reforms Enhance Wi-Fi Communication All over your home. To improve your Wi-Fi connection, though, we must return to the question: Will Wi-Fi travel via the walls? To better answer this, helps to start by looking at how Wi-Fi technology works.

Wi-Fi 101 technology

Wi-Fi, also known as Fireless Fidelity, is a wireless technology that allows your router to exchange data with multiple devices. This data is transferred through radio waves. According to the Institute of Electricity and Electronics EngineersThe first version of Wi-Fi was released in 1997 under 802 families of local region networks. IEEE Wi-Fi is appointed as 802.11.

In the first place, you will see three Wi-Fi standards when shopping for routers: Wi-Fi 6and Wi-Fi 6e and Wi-Fi 7. most Smart home devices In Dark is compatible with Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e technology. However, Wi-Fi 7 will produce the fastest speeds and be proud of the minimum response time for the three. Wi-Fi 7 depends on features of previous standards. If you have Wi-Fi 6, you will have 2.4 and 5 GHz difference. Wi-Fi 6e added 6 GHz band, Wi-Fi 7 has doubled the size of his channel.

According to Netgear“Wi-Fi 7 helps to ensure your home is ready for 10 GB internet when available.”

How do Wi-Fi go through the walls?

Your router exchanges data wirelessly with other devices close to radio waves, which use electromagnetic radiation. As shown from the image below, Wi-Fi works on these radio waves through the electromagnetic spectrum.

According to ScienceabcElectromagnetic waves can pass through the surface; This process is called refraction. This is what allows Wi -Fi to pass through the walls. It should be noted that all forms of electromagnetic radiation can be permeated. Take Li-Fi TechnologyFor example. Li-Fi uses visible light, which is another form of electromagnetic radiation, to connect to the Internet. Light signals can not pass through the walls and other solid objects such as Wi-Fi signs.

Wi-Fi can pass through the walls, but …

The thickness of the walls and the type of materials used can obstruct or hinder Wi-Fi signals. According to MistraCertain materials, such as bricks, plaster, cement, minerals, stone and double glass, can obstruct Wi-Fi signals. Depending on the size and planning of your home, you may face dead areas (areas where your internet signal is almost not present) or very slow internet. When testing routers and their signal power points in our CNET laboratories in Louisville, KentuckyGianmarco Chumbe Escalante lists materials that can affect your Wi-Fi signal.

“As with any radio signal, the attenuation occurs when the waves pass through materials such as bricks, concrete, or metal – or simply an increasing distance,” Escalante said.

Fortunately, the CNET LABS team decided that the wall thickness did not significantly affect the strength of the router signal after the tests. In fact, they noticed that the distance from the router was a greater factor. However, changing your home ground plan may not be an option, but there are simpler things you can do to enhance the Wi-Fi connection at home.

How to improve Wi-Fi

Several factors can affect the Internet connection signal, such as walls, large shows and even electronics near your router.

Choose the right router

The first step to improve your connection is to determine if you use the correct router. In most apartments and smaller homes (less than 1500 feet), the traditional router must have one wireless access point. The best choice for CNET for the best wireless router is Asus Rog Rapture GT-Ax6000. After testing on more than 30 routers, we decided that one would provide the fastest possible speed across Wi-Fi. It was the only router that got the 5 best points of our productivity tests on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz teams. However, if you have a multi -storey house and want to give priority to cover the Internet all the time, think about upgrade to a Network router.

In some cases, you may need to take out the old router and upgrade to a new device. Ideally, You should replace your router every five years. If you are on the market to get new equipment, think about upgrade to a new router or Wi-Fi 6 or the latest Wi-Fi 7 network. Phonesand LED computers Games from Wi-Fi 7 can benefit.

The Wi-Fi band used by things

If your priorities are to make sure that your internet connection reaches all areas of your home, choose a router with a 2.4 GHz tape. This is the reason.

CNET SUPAN has recently visited CNET LABS to help test the routers. The tests provided measures on speed, reliability and performance at the distance. Our laboratory team has also measured the strength of the signal of each router and broadcasting capacity, showing the extent of transmission of data via the walls and about other electronics. The team was distinguished by more than 61 sites around the laboratory to measure the performance of the frequency ranges of each 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz router. Although 5 GHz may provide you with faster speeds, the test results show that the 2.4 GHz range has a better range.

“Most routers will automatically direct your traffic to the optimal range, but you can also set up separate Wi-Fi networks for each band if you want to set the priorities of the devices such as the gaming unit or a 5GHz work computer faster,” Soban said.

“The important thing to know is if it has 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz,” said Supan. “Most routers will automatically direct your device to the best device.”

The average of all data from the tests in a summary table. Then they merged the grades for a single production scale for each frequency range. Data shows that 2.4 GHz routers outperform the 5 GHz routers on long distances. Keep in mind that the typical internal broadcast range of the router ranges between 150 to 300 feet, according to The preparation team for computer dialogue in the United States.

Read more: How to test Wi-Fi routers

The router mode is the key

In some cases, you may not need to take an exciting step such as getting rid of your router. There are possibilities, you may put it in the wrong place.

According to two techniciansHere are five of the worst fields to place your router:

• On the ground
• Behind the sofa
• In the lower floor
• Inside the tanks
• Near the Wi-Fi router

The perfect place for your router should always be Central site in your home. Keep in mind that placing your router in an area with large metal bodies, close electronics or many walls can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. If you can, try installing your router on the wall or uploading it to the book shelf.

Wi-Fi antennas adjust

If you have an antennas router, putting these antennas properly can improve the signal. If there are one or more antenna on your router, do not put them all in the same direction. The antennas should be perpendicular to each other – one must be horizontal and the other must be vertical. If that still does not make a difference, try to try putting antennas in several different angles. During this process, run several Internet speed tests To indicate the differences with each air formation. The best choice for CNET for the best speed test in general Owokla Its consistency and reliability. (OKLA is owned by the mother company itself as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

Invest in Wi-Fi

A Wi-Fi expanded It will usually be a cheaper alternative to the network router if you are still suffering from late internet and dead areas after re -placing your router. Like the network router system, Wi-Fi will help enhance your speeds throughout your home. The best choice for CNET for the best Wi-Fi is Linksys R7310. Upon testing, you delivered a lot of speeds, supports Wi-Fi 6. You can either connect your expansion to your router or in your wall on your wall. If you live in a larger house and face problems with your connection, the network router will be a better choice.

Yes, Wi -Fi can travel through the walls, but it is not magic

Yes, Wi-Fi technology allows home internet connection to pass through the walls, but still needs to take steps to improve the Wi-Fi connection. The wall thickness can interfere with your internet signal, leaving you with dead areas in your home. Other factors, such as large objects and nearby electronics, can also cause a broad space connection.

With regard to walls, of course, your home layout may not be a choice. And before making a hasty decision like Cancel your internet service or Switching Internet service providersYou can first try to improve your Wi-Fi connection with the advice shown on this page. If you are still having a problem, then it’s time to consider whether you are facing a bigger problem, like Strong speeds from your ISP.

Common questions: wi-fi against your walls