laptop needs to be in line with router to connect to wifi?

[618]

Hi,

Recently my laptop has been getting very weak signals or doesn't connect to the wifi.
However, when you look at the signal it is full..
I need to be in the bedroom (where the router is currently placed) in order to get internet, and if there is something in the way it won't work either.
Moreover though, all other devices work with the same router perfectly fine anywhere around the house.

Please help, its extremely annoying

[Steven]

Its not your laptop, but your router. Each router has something called a radio frequency in which it deals out the signal. It is called 802.11

it can have many different forms such as 802.11A 802.11n 802.11g 802.11ac, SO with this being said your router may be giving a full signal but it cannot operate to your needs.

[dan]

Your laptop's WiFi network adapter may have lost it's range. Some have a internal antenna connection that may have come loose.

As far as wireless range goes,

Wireless signals are affected by many factors including distance, wall density, electrical interference, directional antenna range, etc.

All of these factors will affect your actual wireless range. As wireless connection quality varies the connection speeds are renegotiated. The connection may start at 300 Mbps and end up at less than 20 Mbps or drop entirely.

Just because a particular wireless router model works good at one location does not guarantee that it will have similar performance in a different location due to variances in the factors listed above.

You should try to centrally locate your wireless router or gateway up high and away from dense walls and electrical and 2.4 GHz wireless interference such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, etc.

If this doesn't help you have a couple of options,

1. Buy a external USB WiFi adapter for the laptop. These are relatively inexpensive ($10-$20). Some are high gain with adjustable antennas, some are ultra small, and can be left in a laptop's USB slot.

2. Buy a WiFi Extender. These plug in and regenerate WiFi signals to increase the wireless range of your router. The TP-LINK TL-WA850RE is the least expensive at around $30.

Good Luck.