Everyone wants the best Wi-Fi speed, but a powerful Wi-Fi router is not enough to get it. Though there are many bands, your device should have sufficient Wi-Fi signal to work correctly. But how do you check the Wi-Fi signal strength? Depending on the device you want to use, there are a few ways to check the current WiFi signal strength. You can use one of them to rearrange your device for better speed.
Importance of Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Wi-Fi signals are as important to your computer as cellular signals are to your mobile device. Because Wi-Fi uses radio signals, your device should have enough signals to keep things working. When your device does not receive sufficient Wi-Fi signals, you will face a noticeable decrease in speed.
More importantly, if your device feels there aren’t enough signals, it may disconnect from the Wi-Fi network. These Wi-Fi dead zones can be a nightmare.
The solution? You should check whether your workspace gets enough signals before you set things up. It will be better to check Wi-Fi signal strength and place the devices accordingly than to use extenders later. When you ensure decent signal strength, you can benefit from speed and stability.
Understanding the WiFi signal strength may also help you plan necessary upgrades. For instance, your Wi-Fi router may not be powerful enough to cover a larger area. In this case, you can check the Wi-Fi strength situation before going for another router. This way, you will have an estimate.
How to Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength
We have already established that you need to have sufficient Wi-Fi signal strength for a smooth experience. How do you measure the signal strength, though? Depending on your purpose and the level of accuracy you require, multiple options are available. Below, I will talk about five methods you can try on Windows PCs and smartphones.
#1 On Taskbar Corner
There is a control panel that you can launch by clicking the right side of the Windows Taskbar. In this control panel, you would find a Wi-Fi icon next to the button to toggle it. However, if you look closely, you’ll see that the Wi-Fi symbol is dynamic. It shows the current signal strength through the number of lines.
You can also go to the Network page of your computer to see the same icon, which will change according to the current Wi-Fi signal strength.

If you use a Mac, you should check the Wi-Fi icon on the menu bar to understand the current signal strength. It is a quick way to know how strong the Wi-Fi signal is.
#2 With Task Manager
Task Manager on Windows is also a convenient way to check Wi-Fi signal strength. This method will offer an excellent in-depth understanding of the network. To use this method, you can open Task Manager on your PC and head to the Network tab.

You can spot the current signal strength against an entry that says Signal Strength. This interface allows you to monitor the current speed and bandwidth of the network connection as well.
#3 Using Command Prompt
The Command Prompt utility on Windows can also give you plenty of information regarding your network. It includes Wi-Fi signal strength. To use this method.
- Open Command Prompt on your PC
- Enter the following command and press the Enter key
netsh wlan show interfaces
- Now, the Command Prompt will list all the network interfaces connected to your PC
- Locate the Wi-Fi adaptor and look for an entry named Signal.
In this method, you can see more accurate information about Wi-Fi signal strength. For instance, it shows a percentage-based marker for signal strength, not bars.
#4 In Network and Sharing Center
Windows PCs also have a dedicated interface named Network and Sharing Center. This place is also a great way to find out the current signal strength of the network.
To access this option, you can navigate to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center. You can see a list of available network options. You need to locate the Wi-Fi adaptor and choose Properties from the right-click menu.
Here, you can see a variety of information about the Wi-Fi network, including the Wi-Fi strength. However, this option will represent the signal strength through bars.
#5 Using Smartphone or Tablet
You can check the Wi-Fi signal strength using your smartphone and tablet as well. You can choose between a few options:
- You can check the control panel icon to see the current signal strength. This should give you some basic idea.
- You can go to Settings > Wi-Fi to see the Wi-Fi icon next to the network name. Once again, you will have an overview.
- Advanced Wi-Fi network analysis tools are also great when you want to check Wi-Fi signal strength. You can use one of these options to check the current strength and plan your arrangement.
There are even apps that help you scan your entire home for Wi-Fi coverage. You can use these apps to get rid of Wi-Fi dead zones.
How to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength
Here are a few tips to improve Wi-Fi signal strength on your device. You must understand that the Wi-Fi signal strength you see is specific to that location. You will notice a difference when you move away from the router or get closer.
- Make sure that you have placed your Wi-Fi router at a central location so that signals can reach most devices in your household.
- You should consider upgrading to a mesh Wi-Fi network if you can afford it. However, if this option is expensive, you should consider getting a Wi-Fi extender.
- Getting rid of obstructions on the way can also help you improve WiFi signal strength. This way, the Wi-Fi radio waves can easily travel between your computer/smartphone and the router.
As you can understand, you can get rid of most of these troubles if you plan things properly. I always attempt to place the Wi-Fi router at different locations and check the Wi-Fi signal before fixing it somewhere. This way, I don’t have to make further changes along the way.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helped you check Wi-Fi signal strength and organize/re-organize your network setup. It would be better if you could do this analysis sooner rather than later. And, if you want the best results, stick to a full-size Wi-Fi analysis app.