How to boost Wi-Fi signal with aluminum foil

For most households, a single router can route internet connection throughout the entire house while maintaining the signal strength. However, for others, the signal can’t reach the dead zones.

If faced with such a challenge, then you must have considered boosting your Wi-Fi signal. When considering this, there are many ways to boost the signals including purchasing a stronger router or a Wi-Fi extender. However, these options aren’t cheap and require you to spend. Good routers and Wi-Fi extenders can cost in excess of hundreds of dollars. Even after buying them, you aren’t guaranteed that they’ll meet your expectations. The alternative solution however might just be lying in your kitchen. But did you know that you can boost Wi-Fi signals in your house using aluminum foil?

You can boost your Wi-Fi signal with aluminum foil by sticking the foil into a box’s surface, then place the box on besides the router’s antenna and check the Wi-Fi signals.

Does it really work?

Wi-Fi signals are transmitted through radio waves and an aluminum foil with its shiny nature reflects these radio waves making them travel over a longer distance.  Besides, the aluminum foil also acts by blocking the signals from traveling in one direction and directs them to another increasing not only the range but also the signal strength. Also by blocking the signals from a certain direction, the aluminum foil prevents hackers from attempting to access your router and steal data or carry out illegal activities. This is very useful in an office setting since they can’t get any signal. This gives you faster internet speeds in dead zones around your house at a lower or no cost.

Before you start

Several things might weaken your signal before we begin. Placing the router in a hidden place like under the table or in a corner will reduce the signal strength significantly.  Also, if your Wi-Fi is not password-protected, then anyone in range can connect Which minimizes the strength. There are a few guidelines concerning setting up the router to help you get the best results out of the aluminum foil. Make sure the router is not surrounded by obstacles such as masonry or even walls. Place your router in the highest place for easy detection by most devices. Don’t put it in low-lying places like under the table.

You need a router/modem, aluminum foil, box, tape or glue, and a pair of scissors only to extend your Wi-Fi signal.

Procedure

Using the pair of scissors cut a piece of the aluminum foil in a rectangular shape that you can measure using a box like the one that came with the router. For a strong and firm foundation, ensure it has two to three layers. Form a curved shape by folding the cut aluminum surrounding edges. You can use a bottle to achieve this. Since the aluminum foil needs to stand on its own, for stability, use tape/glue to stick it into the box’s surface and place it besides the router’s antenna. Ensure that the antenna’s end is in the box’s corner which you can achieve by cutting a small hole on the box for the antenna to pass through. If the router has two antennas, then make two holes and then pass them through. Now go to the dead zones and check the Wi-Fi signal strength.

 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 Can Wi-Fi signals go through a wall? 

Yes, Wi-Fi signals can go through walls but it depends on the thickness of the wall. Wi-Fi signals can easily penetrate materials like drywall, plywood, glass, etc. However, if the walls are made of reinforced concrete, then some signals might be blocked making the weak.

Can an AC fan unit interfere with my Wi-Fi signal?

Yes, it can. If it’s a new AC unit with Wi-Fi capability, and your router is near it while both of them are on, then it will interfere with the signals and weaken them.