Razerbadjan,
The firmware update is purported to be the fix for a weak signal issue from this router. After the firmware update, the change in channel is supposed to help -- as long as your next door neighbor is not on that channel.
Other than that, and this is not my list as much as it is "what's out there":
Position = location, location, location
High on a book shelf is better than placing the router lower, closer to the floor. We actually finally did this with our own router when it did not perform well enough for our needs. The router was not providing the promised long range service until I broke down and moved it from the nice, neat data closet to sit in the open atop the cabinet. It doesn't look as nice; it does work much better.
Your router MIGHT benefit from replacing the antennas - this is a subject worth exploring but larger than this thread to cover. Remember that the type of antenna makes a difference -- if you replace an omni-directional antenna with a focused directional antenna, you may get better service - as long as you are within the signal beam - if you wander upstairs or go elsewhere than where the signal is focused, you will lose the signal.
DYI - Signal Boosting
You could use one of the DYI methods to increase signal strength - the "cantenna" is an odd looking homemade antenna booster made from a soda or beer can. One does have to use the metal can type available in most stores and not a hybrid plasti-can. Example: How to Improve Your Wi-Fi Signal Using a Soda Can in 6 Steps
If you really want to make this into a fun project, check out the following older post: Boost Your Wireless Signal With a Homemade Wifi Extender . The information at the site is worth reading and the results might be worth the hour it takes to make the booster. ? At the least, you will learn something. Smiling.
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You said in the beginning that the issue is recent -- it is likely related to changes on the router, on the computer, or in the environment.
- Changes on the router are easily tracked -- you have control over the router. Automatic updates aside, routers do not change themselves.
- Changes in the local environment are somewhat easy to control -- as long as you have control over the physical space in which you live: If furniture, mirrors, cabinets for the office, computers, or phones (on the same wave length) have been moved recently, it could affect the signal between your system and the router.
- Changes in the general environment are a bit harder to control -- you cannot control whether your neighbor is blasting his wifi all over your house. You can set your computer to deny instrusive wifi networks, you cannot control whether they exist.
- Changes on the computer are somewhat predictable if you have Automatic Updates turned off. If the system is prone to updating on its own, then it is harder to track EXACTLY what might have changed unless you know the date on which the signal quality changed.
If you "had" better reception and now you do not
AND
the router environment is the same as before the issue started
AND
the physical environment is the same as before the issue started
THEN
Something might have changed in the computer - updates, drivers, "something".
- You might try using System Restore to "go back in time" to when this worked as expected. System Restore works best if you first drop the system into Safe Mode .
- If you get desperate, and you are running Windows 8, you can try backing up everything, and Refreshing the system.
Refresh Your System
The Refresh is similar to the Windows 7 "Repair" in that Refresh overloads the OS back onto the system without disturbing your account and personal data files.
IMPORTANT:
Before you complete the standard Refresh, READ about the procedure. Refresh does not remove your personal files and data; it does remove anything from the Start Screen except those applications purchased from the Windows Store.
You might consider:
- Create a Custom Refresh backup in case you do end up wishing to get back to where you are NOW. The Custom Refresh creates a Refresh Image -- if you decide you need to come back, you can use the Custom Refresh Image to do that.
- Then, make sure you also have personal backups done JUST IN CASE stuff goes sideways. Make two backups of your files – and make sure you have the ability to reinstall any of your personal programs, too… just in case.
- After you are fully backed up, run a Standard Refresh on the system.
HP PCs - Backing Up Your Files (Windows8)
Refresh Your PC to Resolve Problems (Windows 8)
Custom Refresh Image Option
- The nice thing about a Custom Image is that it is “customized” to your installed programs. Most of us tweak and change our computers after we set them up the first time; one of the main changes many of us make is to add our favorite programs. The Custom Refresh Image allows you to keep those programs when you decide to use the Refresh option on your Windows 8 Computer.
How to reinstall Windows 8 without losing your files and programs
There are a number of other options, some of which I am probably missing and some of which are just “yeah, could work, but should not be necessary”.
If I think of anything else useful, I will post back.