Are you wondering how to get a stronger WiFi signal from my neighbour? It’s worth nothing that signal barriers such as microwaves, walls, and Bluetooth signals could interfere with signal strength.
When the router is damaged, you will also receive a weak signal on your devices connected to the network.
Its signals will not be strong enough to go through walls or such obstacles.
One sure way to get a stronger signal from your neighbor’s WiFi is using a network extender. It will amplify the signal and let it reach your house easily. You can also get a better router with a stronger signal for your installation.
Using a weak WiFi connection will interfere with your activities and even reduce productivity.
With most home devices needing an internet connection a bad connection can significantly inconvenience you and your loved ones.
Why you are Getting a Weak WiFi Signal from your Neighbor
Before we dive into how to get a better WiFi signal from a neighbor on Android, first let’s get into why you are getting the weak signal in the first place.
The reasons could range from your installation to your neighbor’s ISP.
Here are some of the possible reasons:
Outdated WiFi drivers on your Device
If you are accessing the WiFi connection through your mobile devices, the problem could result from outdated wireless drivers on the device.
Signal Obstructions
WiFi signals are affected by interferences by other wireless signals such as microwaves or Bluetooth signals.
Thick walls and thick wood could also be obstructions to WiFi signals.
Distance to the Router
When the distance between your connected device and the WiFi router is large, you will receive a weak signal on your device.
A Poor Router
When using a router with a small bandwidth, you will not receive a strong signal over long distances, and thus the WiFi signal from your neighbor will be poor.
Another possible cause could be a poorly installed and configured WiFi router.
Now that you know the possible causes, let’s get into the specific ways of getting stronger WiFi signals from your neighbor.
How to Get A Stronger WiFi Signal From My neighbor – Methods
Right off the bad you should always ensure that your router is plugged in and configured correctly before proceeding to any methods or solutions.
If the problem persists, you can use these methods;
Method #1 Choose the Best Band
The distance between your houses will determine the right broadband to use for a better signal. The options available are a 2.4GHz and a faster 5GHz alternative.
Since your neighbor is closer to the router, they prefer the latter due to its speed. It is, however, unreliable since it has a shorter range and poorer signal stability owing to its higher frequency.
You can thus choose to get a 2.4GHz broadband connection for reliable performance.
Since it transmits signals under lower frequencies, it will remain stable for longer and reach longer distances. You can thus connect to it from your home and get a better WiFi signal.
Method #2 Install a Network Extender or Wifi Repeater
Network Extenders or WiFi Repeaters are a reliable solution to weak WiFi signal reception.
They will receive a signal from the router and broadcast it into your house for an easier and stronger connection. Ensure you get a proper network extender with speeds of over 1200Mbps for the best signal reception.
Here’s how to set up a WiFi repeater:
- Power on the repeater and plug it into a power source.
- Keep it as close as possible to the router.
- Access its account through your computer.
- Configure your neighbor’s WiFi network.
- Enter a password and wait for it to connect.
- Identify the WiFi signal from the repeater and connect to it on your devices.
Once a repeater or Network extender is connected, it will often show a solid light.
Note: You should ensure the repeater is placed in a central location in your house.
This will ensure the repeated signal is received widely and remains strong on all connected devices.
Method #3 Clear Obstructions
WiFi signals are affected by any obstructions between the router and the connected device.
This is a major consideration when determining how to get a better WiFi signal from neighbor to iPhone. Interruptions could come from thick walls, wood or a generally large distance.
Here’s what to look out for:
- The router should be in a central location.
- Beware of wireless signal interruptions such as Bluetooth and microwaves.
- Ensure kids don’t play around your WiFi router.
- Get the router from reliable approved manufacturers.
Removing these obstacles will help strengthen the WiFi signal from your neighbor.
You can also turn off wireless connections that aren’t used around your house. These measures will reduce interference and ensure a stronger signal reception from the WiFi connection.
Method #4 Install the Latest Adapter Drivers on Your Device
Making upgrades on your devices helps fix existing problems and improve efficiency.
An outdated adapter could cause poor signal reception on your device or poor signal transmission from the router.
You can check for driver updates if you are accessing the WiFi connection through a computer or laptop. You can also check for updates on your router through its web platform.
Here’s is how to check for drivers updates on your router:
- Access the router’s online platform on your neighbor’s account.
- Click on the Settings option and click on Updates.
- Select Check for Updates and download them.
- Wait for the installation to complete.
- Restart the router to complete the process.
Note: Upgrades help improve connectivity and ensure a wider WiFi range.
You should also ensure the Auto-update option is activated to ensure you never miss out on important updates in the future.
Method #5 Use a Good WiFi Adapter
You should always ensure that you are using a good WiFi adapter model. The latest options offer strong WiFi signal transmission and accommodate the WiFi 6 option.
You can ask them to get these top-of-the-line routers, and they will always ensure you get a strong signal from your neighbor’s WiFi.
Additionally, they are easier to configure compared to older models, and you can easily improve their range and alter the broadband settings.
Method #6 Change the Router Location
Depending on the distance between you and your neighbor’s house, you can ask them to change the router position.
Ask them to bring it to the closest common wall in case you live in an apartment.
This lets you connect to the network easily, and in case you have a repeater, it too can connect to the WiFi signal conveniently.
Still Getting a Poor Signal from your Neighbor’s WiFi
You have tried all these methods, and you are still getting a weak signal from your neighbor’s WiFi.
What should you do?
The only alternative left is to contact their internet service provider for assistance. They will help identify why the signal is still poor and get you a technician to assist. The provider can also check for possible problems from their end in case the WiFi signal remains weak.
Read Next: Does WiFi Calling Drain Battery?
Conclusion
Having a good internet connection is an important part of modern living. It’s not uncommon for neighbors to use the same WiFi network.
It not only reduces cost but also ensures a router serves more people in a neighborhood.
This guide should help you on how to get a stronger WiFi signal from my neighbor.
Enjoy the strong WiFi connection!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.