How to Get Better Wi-Fi?

You know that moment when you’re trying to watch a YouTube video, and it’s loading so slow, like you’re back in 2005 with dial-up? Or when a Zoom call cuts out right in the middle of something important, and you look like an old TV with bad reception? Well, guess what? A lot of those problems can be fixed if you approach it the right way. I ran into this issue myself and found a solution using NetSpot. Let me walk you through it.

Speed issues can happen for all sorts of reasons: overcrowded channels, weak signals, or maybe your router’s stuck behind a wall and barely reaching your device. But it turns out, you can fix all these issues in just a few steps. Let’s break down exactly how you can do it with NetSpot. What hooked me right away with this app wasn’t just a list of networks but a bunch of graphs, metrics, and even heatmaps. I thought, why not give my network a “checkup?”

How Rebooting Your Router Can Instantly Improve Wi-Fi Speed

The first thing I did was follow the classic advice: just reboot the router. As weird as it sounds, sometimes that simple trick really works. Routers, especially when they’ve been running nonstop for a long time, can start acting up and getting “clogged,” which makes the signal unstable.

So, I just turned off the router for about 10 seconds and then powered it back up. And, funnily enough, the internet quality got better right away! This simple action often helps “reset” the router and get your network back to normal. Of course, it’s not a magic bullet, but before diving into more complex settings, it’s definitely worth trying this first.

How to Choose the Best Wi-Fi Channel with NetSpot Inspector Mode

Now let’s get into how you can really optimize your network with NetSpot. I tried out three main methods and will tell you what worked for me, so you can find the best solution for your network.

First, I launched the Inspector mode in NetSpot.

The first thing that caught my attention was the signal level graph. In some areas of the apartment, the signal barely reaches! Right near the couch, where I usually sit with my laptop, there was basically a dead zone. And here I thought the signal from the router in the other room would be enough to cover the whole place.

In Inspector mode, you can quickly scan all available networks and check who’s hogging which channel. I pulled up the channel overlap graph, and it was immediately clear that the whole building was sitting on the same channel.

Looks like my neighbors have no clue they can switch to a different channel, so they’re all just blasting on the default settings. The interference is insane. I decided to fix the situation. Went into the router settings and switched to a less crowded channel (shoutout to NetSpot for the tip).

The result? The internet speed shot up like crazy. Zoom calls finally stopped lagging, and YouTube videos load without a hitch. I wouldn’t say it’s 5G fast, but the difference is seriously noticeable. So, if your Wi-Fi’s acting up, the first thing you should do is check which channel your network is on.

Improve Wi-Fi Coverage by Optimizing Router Placement with NetSpot Survey Mode

But that’s not the whole story. In some rooms, the signal was still weak. This is where the Survey mode came to the rescue.

This mode lets you scan your network and create a Wi-Fi coverage map. Here’s how it works: you walk around your place with your laptop or phone, and NetSpot builds a slick heatmap that shows exactly where the Wi-Fi is solid and where it’s basically dead.

After I did a quick lap around the apartment with my laptop, it turned out most of the issues were because the router was stuck in a bad spot - right next to a thick wall that was killing the signal. The fix? Super simple: just move the router.

I moved the router closer to the center of the apartment, right where the signal spreads out evenly. The new coverage heatmap made it super obvious that things got way better. Now the Wi-Fi reaches spots that used to be complete dead zones.

That’s what proper tech placement does for you! This trick works for offices too, especially if you’ve got a bunch of rooms and need the signal everywhere. So, if you’re dealing with dead zones at home, try moving your router, and you’ll see the difference right away.

How to Set Up a Mesh Network or Add a Router Using NetSpot Planning Mode

But I wanted to take it a step further. I was aiming for maximum coverage, with fast internet everywhere, all the time. So I started thinking, what if I added another router? Or set up a Mesh network to make the coverage flawless across the whole place? That’s where Planning mode came in clutch.

This mode lets you plan where to place new access points. I tried out a bunch of options: tested different routers, looked at extenders, and even played around with how a Mesh system would work. There were a ton of choices, but honestly, I didn’t just want to patch up those dead zones - I wanted full, stable coverage across the entire apartment. Plus, my old router was kinda outdated, so an upgrade was definitely in order.

After running all the tests and weighing my options, I realized Mesh was exactly what I needed. It would give me the level of coverage I was looking for and fix all my network issues. So, I decided to take the plunge and invest in a small Mesh system to finally fill all those coverage gaps for good.

After setting up the Mesh system to replace my old access point, everything worked like a charm. Now the internet’s rock-solid in every corner of the apartment.

Mesh systems are a game-changer if you've got a big apartment or house. NetSpot lets you test how the network will perform before you even buy new gear. You can virtually place the routers, check out the heatmap, and figure out where you'll get the best coverage. For me, this was the perfect solution, and now my Wi-Fi is just flying. Sometimes, upgrading your hardware is the only way to go, but with NetSpot, you don’t have to worry about wasting cash on the wrong stuff. The app helps you pick the best setup and place your new device right, so you’re not throwing money down the drain.

Bottom line

Boosting your Wi-Fi isn’t as hard as it sounds. It really comes down to your needs and budget. You could just switch the channel if overcrowding is the issue. Moving your router helps if walls or other devices are blocking the signal. And adding extra gear will give you the best results.

Sure, NetSpot’s not the only app for the job, but I liked it for its simplicity and functionality. So if you’re dealing with similar Wi-Fi issues, I’d definitely recommend giving it a shot. How you go about it is up to you - it all depends on how deep you want to dive and what you’re willing to invest.