Wi-Fi, like all other radio waves, is interrupted by obstacles. The best way to get a clear, strong Wi-Fi connection is to stand right next to the router and modem, but that’s almost never likely going to happen. Walls, doors, fences, and garages are all thought to limit Wi-Fi signals, but do they actually have an impact?
So, does Wi-Fi go through walls? Yes, wi-fi can travel through walls, but dense materials such as solid metal and concrete can limit the frequency. It all depends on what’s inside the wall. In most cases, the hollowed nature of walls around houses doesn’t have too much of an effect on the strength of your Wi-Fi.
Throughout this article, you’ll also learn the following info:
- What affects Wi-Fi strength through walls?
- How can you boost the signal through walls?
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Can Wi-Fi Signals Travel Through a Wall?
Wi-Fi is much more efficient than we give it credit for. It’s always annoying when you can’t get a solid signal to your devices, but as you learned above, walls aren’t always the culprit. Your Wi-Fi signal won’t be disrupted by hollow doors and walls, especially if you’re sitting close to its source.
Here are five factors that can impact the strength of your Wi-Fi signal when it’s traveling through a wall:
- What’s inside the wall? Is it made out of metal, wood, drywall, etc.? Knowing the material will help you to figure out if it’s causing any problems. Wood is hard for a signal to pass through due to its density, while metal is known for reflecting Wi-Fi signals in the opposite direction. Drywall is pretty much never an issue.
- Do you have anything stored in or around the walls? If you’re storing clothing or other belongings in a closet, you’ll definitely add to the barrier. Much like a hollow wall, clothes don’t add much of a blockade on their own. However, paired with a wall and other objects, the signal might fade a bit.
- Is your Wi-Fi’s router or modem blocked? It might seem convenient to put them inside of an entertainment center or under your desk, but every little barrier builds up to make it harder and harder for the signal to go to you. Add a wall in between you and the source, and you could imagine the challenges.
- Remove bulbs, lamps, microwaves, and anything else that could distort the signal on its way to you. These obstacles can cause a quick disruption, so place them away from the wall that sits between you and the router and modem. By limiting the objects, big or small, that separate yourself from the source, you can greatly enhance the signal.
- Finally, if your walls are porous, then you shouldn’t have an issue. Non-porous materials prevent your signal from finding a way in, causing it to slow down instantly. There’s not much that you can do other than open a door or completely replace the wall in this situation, unfortunately.
How to Improve Your Wi-Fi’s Signal Through Walls
Even if there’s a slight disruption, it can be infuriating to deal with malfunctioning Wi-Fi signals. The good news is that you can try out a few suggestions to boost its strength and improve your chances of uninterrupted connection.
For example, you can point the antennas toward the room that’s having trouble. It might not change too much, but it definitely improves the direction and concentration of the signal in your favor.
Another thing that you could try is to remove any trees or other plants in between you and the Wi-Fi’s source. Trees can limit Wi-Fi signal since they’re made out of solid wood. Think about how hard it is to get a radio station to work in the middle of the forest!
Lastly, consider getting a Wi-Fi booster to enhance the signal in the direction of your room. This will give it the boost it needs to travel through walls and doors without a problem. The NetGear Wi-Fi Range Extender is one of the most popular and effective models on the market, and it’s not too expensive either.
Whichever solution you choose, there’s no denying that most walls have little to no impact on your Wi-Fi signal. Instead, you should try to remove other obstacles to limit the number of disruptions in service.
Final Words
Wi-Fi can travel through most walls as long as they’re hollow. However, distance, the wall’s material, and a few other factors can ruin the signal completely. Before you go and rip out your wall, try some of the tips provided throughout this article.
Wi-Fi boosters, new antennas, and removing trees can be enough to get rid of your frequency problem. You might even need a new router or modem. Unless your wall is non-porous, made of metal or wood, or it’s an elevator door (highly unlikely), then it won’t cause too many problems.
