FIX the Windows 10 Weak WiFi Signal [Quick Tutorial]

A weak WiFi signal means you’re connected to a wireless network but the connection isn’t very strong or stable. If the signal drops while you’re using your Windows 10 PC, you can experience lag in games, failed uploads/downloads, and constant buffering or reloading of audio or video. It’s hard to work with and most troubleshooting fixes are for establishing connections, not for fixing their strength or stability.

Windows 10 weak WiFi signal [FIX]

Before you start trying the fixes on this list, you need to make sure there isn’t a physical barrier that is causing the weak signal.

1. Make sure the router isn’t sitting next to anything that’s metallic.
2. Make sure there is no metallic barrier between the router and the computer e.g., a door.
3. Make sure there isn’t anything around your PC that might be causing a weak signal.
4. You should be sitting at a reasonable distance from the router. If you’re sitting too far from it (on a different floor or outside your home), the signal is going to be weak.

Check the signal strength that you’re getting, and if it is indeed weak, try the fixes below.

Update WiFi drivers

Updating drivers is always a good idea, even if you aren’t having trouble with your system. If the WiFi signal is weak, check if the WiFi driver needs to be updated.

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network Adapter group of devices.
3. Right-click your network card, and select Update Driver from the context menu.
4. Allow Windows 10 to search for updates, and install any updates it finds.
5. Restart your PC.

In contrast, if you find there is no driver update to install, you can try rolling back to an older version if the signal strength problem is new. An older version might work better on your system than a new one.

To roll back a driver;

1. Open Device Manager, and expand Network Adapters.
2. Right-click your adapter/card, and select Properties from the context menu.
3. On the Driver tab, click Roll Back Driver.
4. Restart your PC after the roll back.

Change network adapter power management

Windows 10 can power down certain devices to save energy. It does this when the system has been idle but will power them back on when you wake it. This feature doesn’t always work well. Try disabling it for your network adapter.

1. Open Power Options.
2. Click ‘Change plan settings‘ next to your active power plan.
3. Click Change advanced power settings.
4. On the advanced power settings window, expand Wireless Adapter Settings.
5. Open the On battery and Plugged In dropdowns, and select Maximum Performance for each.
6. Restart your PC.

Note: It is possible this option isn’t present on your system. If it isn’t, that means your hardware doesn’t support this feature. Move on to the other solutions.

Change MTU

The default MTU is set to 1500 and it doesn’t always work well for all systems. Changing it might result in your network adapter being able to get a better signal.

1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
2. Run the following command to find the name of your adapter.

netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces

3. Note down the name of your network card. You will need it for the next command. You will also see the MTU value for it which will likely be 1500.
4. Run the following command, and enter your network adapter’s name in place of Wi-Fi. The 1400 is the new MTU value. Restart your system.

ipv4 set subinterface Wi-Fi mtu=1400 store=persistent

Run the network troubleshooter

The network troubleshooter can help fix a weak Wi-Fi signal.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the Update and Security group of settings.
3. Select the Troubleshoot tab.
4. Select and run the Network Adapter troubleshooter.
5. Apply any changes that it recommends.
6. You should also try running the Internet Connections troubleshooter.

Change Sensibility value

Changing the Sensibility value may help get a better signal, and it might keep the one that is more stable.

1. Open the Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network Adapter group of devices.
3. Right-click your network card, and select Properties.
4. Go to the Advanced tab.
5. Under the Priority list of properties look for Roam Tendency or Roaming Aggressiveness. Select it, and open the Value dropdown.
6. Select a higher setting than the current one.

Reset Network adapter

Resetting the network adapter can also fix a weak Wi-Fi signal. We have a detailed tutorial on how to reset it but one quick method you can follow is as below;

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to the Network and Internet group of settings.
3. Go to the Status tab and click the Network Reset button at the bottom.
4. Restart your PC.

Conclusion

A weak Wi-Fi signal can also be a hardware limitation. Some laptop manufacturers use hardware that is weaker or less capable. You will find that a Dell is better at keeping a strong, stable signal than an HP in some low or mid-range systems. There isn’t much you can do other than move closer to your router.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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