Anyone who has ever tried to stream a video or do some online shopping from the comfort of their bed knows, a weak WiFi signal upstairs can be a major inconvenience. If you’re struggling with a spotty connection on the upper floors of your home, you’re not alone.

But fear not! There are some simple steps you can take to boost your weak WiFi signal and enjoy a faster connection. In this post, we’ll share some tried and true tips for improving the WiFi signal upstairs, so you can surf, shop, game, and stream as much as you wish.

Run the WiFi Analyzer App

Before you do anything to improve the weak WiFi signal upstairs, you first need to analyze where your WiFi signal is strongest and weakest. You can test signal strength by using a WiFi analyzer app.

To use a WiFi analyzer app, download the app on your smartphone or tablet and run it while connected to your WiFi network. The app will show you a graphical representation of the WiFi signal strength in your home, allowing you to see where the signal is strongest and weakest.

Based on this information, you can then proceed with the troubleshooting process. See the solutions below to make the most sense for your home network according to the WiFi analyzer’s insights.

Source: NetSpot

2. Move the Router Closer to the Upstairs

The placement of your router is one of many factors that can influence the performance of your WiFi network. The strength of the signal, the distance between your devices and the router, and physical obstacles that can block the signal can all play a role in WiFi quality. For example, if your WiFi signal is weak upstairs, you can try moving your router to a different location or adjusting the antennae to see if that helps improve the performance of your network.

In addition, moving your router closer to the ceiling, or to a higher location, can y help improve your WiFi network’s coverage and performance. Remember, WiFi signals spread out horizontally, rather than vertically. Therefore, placing your router higher up can help the signal reach further.

3. Change the Wireless Channel to a Less Congested One

If your WiFi is slow or unreliable, interference could be the problem — especially in crowded areas like apartment buildings or neighborhoods with lots of wireless networks.

Most WiFi routers broadcast on two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

2.4 GHz has a longer range but fewer channels and more potential interference. It’s more prone to congestion because many common devices (like microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and older routers) also use this band.
5 GHz offers faster speeds and more available channels, but with a shorter range. It’s less likely to be affected by interference and is ideal for streaming, gaming, and high-bandwidth activities—especially in close proximity to your router.

If you’re experiencing interference or slow speeds, changing your router’s wireless channel can help. Routers usually auto-select a channel, but in busy environments, it may choose one that’s already overcrowded.

To manually change your wireless channel:

Log in to your router’s admin dashboard (usually via a web browser or network app).
Locate the WiFi or Wireless Settings section.
Select a less congested channel (1, 6, and 11 are common for 2.4 GHz; 5 GHz has many more options).
Save your changes and restart the router if needed.

Check your router’s manual or use the manufacturer’s app if you’re unsure where to find these settings.

improve weak wifi signal upstairs

4. Install a Wi-Fi Extender or WiFi Repeater

One of the best ways to boost the weak WiFi signal upstairs is to use a WiFi extender or repeater. Both devices can amplify the WiFi signal and extend its range, making it more robust and reliable upstairs.

A WiFi extender connects to your existing WiFi network and “extends” its range by rebroadcasting the signal. This means that the extender receives the WiFi signal from your router and then broadcasts it at a higher power, allowing it to reach further distances.

On the other hand, a WiFi repeater receives the WiFi signal and then creates a new, separate network that you can connect to. This new network will have a different name and password than your original WiFi network, so you’ll need to reconnect to the new network to access the internet.

In general, a WiFi extender is a better choice because it allows you to extend your existing WiFi network without disconnecting and reconnecting to a new network. However, a WiFi repeater can be useful in some situations, such as creating a separate network for guest access.

5. Install Mesh WiFi System

Like WiFi extenders and repeaters, mesh WiFi is a type of WiFi system that uses multiple devices, called nodes, to create one seamless WiFi network. Each node connects to the internet and each other, creating a mesh network that covers your entire home. The mesh system allows you to move freely around your home without losing internet connectivity.

Compared to extenders and repeaters, a mesh WiFi network offers some added benefits, such as seamless connectivity and the ability to easily add more nodes to expand the coverage area. You can start small and build the best version of your home network from there.

6. Set Up Extra Access Points

An access point is a device that connects to your existing WiFi network and creates more hotspots, allowing you to expand your network coverage without using a WiFi extender or repeater. Access points work by connecting to your router and broadcasting a separate WiFi signal, so you can connect to them just like you would to your regular network.

Access points can be either wired or wireless. A wired access point connects to your router using an Ethernet cable, while a wireless access point connects to your router using WiFi. If you have a large home or need to extend your Wi-Fi signal long distances, a wired access point may be the better way. On the other hand, if you have a smaller home or want to move your access point around easily, a wireless access point will be more convenient.

While they work similarly, access points have fewer features than a mesh network. For example, your devices won’t automatically switch between access points like they would between the nodes in the mesh WiFi network. Consequently, you might struggle with an internet connection that keeps disconnecting.

7. Upgrade to WiFi 5 or WiFi 6

If your router is old, consider upgrading to a more powerful router. Upgrading to WiFi 5 (802.11ac) or WiFi 6 (802.11ax) can also improve the quality of your WiFi signal upstairs as well. These newer WiFi standards offer faster data rates and more efficient operation, which can lead to better home internet performance.

It’s worth noting that in order to take advantage of the faster speeds and improved performance of WiFi 5 and WiFi 6, all the devices on your network will need to support these standards as well. If you have older devices that don’t support these standards, they may not see any benefits from upgrading your router.

weak wifi signal upstairs

8. Use a Wired Connection

If you have a weak WiFi signal upstairs, you can use an Ethernet cable. This will provide a faster and more reliable connection than WiFi.

If you want to use an Ethernet cable to improve the Wi-Fi signal upstairs, you’ll need to run the cable from the router downstairs to the device upstairs. This can be done by following these steps:

Locate the Ethernet ports on your router and the device you want to connect upstairs (such as a computer or game console).
Using an Ethernet cable, connect one end of the cable to the Ethernet port on the router and the other end to the Ethernet port on the device upstairs.
If the device upstairs is not within reach of the Ethernet cable, you may need to use a longer cable or a cable extension.
Once the cable is connected, the device should be able to access the internet via the Ethernet connection.

But be warned. Running an Ethernet cable from downstairs to upstairs can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you must navigate around walls, floors, and other obstacles. If you’re uncomfortable doing this yourself, hire a professional to help you run the cable and set up the connection.

9. Use a Powerline Adapter

A powerline adapter and Ethernet are similar in that they both can provide a wired internet connection to devices in your home.

An Ethernet cable is a physical cable that connects devices to a router or modem. But on the other hand, a powerline adapter uses your home’s electrical wiring to extend the internet connection to devices located further away from the router or modem.

It consists of two units: one unit connects to the router or modem using an Ethernet cable, and the other connects to the device you want to connect to the internet. The units communicate with each other using the electrical wiring in your home, providing a wired internet connection to the device.

You should be able to set up a powerline adapter yourself. It’s relatively easy to install. Follow the instructions that should break it down step by step.

Typically, setting up a powerline adapter involves the following steps:

Plug one powerline adapter into a wall outlet near your router and connect it to your router using an Ethernet cable.
Plug the other powerline adapter into a wall outlet where you want to extend your WiFi network (in this case, upstairs).
Press the pair or sync button on both powerline adapters to set up a connection over the electrical wiring in your home.
Connect a device to the powerline adapter using an Ethernet cable to extend your weak WiFi signal upstairs.

If you stumble upon any difficulties during the setup process, you can consult the instructions that came with the powerline adapter. You can also reach out for professional help. For example, an electrician can help with the installation, while an ISP technician can help you increase your WiFi speed.

Say Goodbye to the Weak WiFi Signal Upstairs

In conclusion, a weak WiFi signal upstairs can be a major annoyance, but there are some simple steps you can take to improve your connection. From moving your router to a central location to investing in a WiFi extender or mesh network, there are plenty of solutions to consider.

And finally, the solution could also lie in choosing a reliable ISP. Race Communications provides fiber internet with no data caps to communities throughout California. If you’re interested in our services, call us at 877-722-3833 or order online.

With a little effort and experimentation, you can enjoy a better WiFi signal upstairs. And say goodbye to buffering and connection drops forever.