Supported models: LN1600 series
You can check the signal strength of your node using the following methods below:
What does signal strength refer to?
Your Linksys Mesh WiFi system is made up of multiple nodes where each node houses antennas that emit WiFi waves. Signal strength refers to how well a node hears the signal from another node.
How is the node's signal strength measured?
Signal strength has a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value measured in dBm or decibels per milliwatt. The dBm is expressed in negative values. The higher the number, the better the signal.
| Symbol | RSSI (dBm) |
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RSSI <= -65 Excellent |
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RSSI > -66 ↔︎ -71 Good |
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RSSI >= -72 ↔︎ -77 Fair |
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RSSI >= -78 Poor |
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Wired node |
Where can I check my node's signal strength?
To check the signal strength, follow these steps:
1. Log into the router’s web interface.
2. On the Home page, you can see the signal strength icon of your wireless nodes.
3. Click on a wireless node. In this example, a node with a Fair signal is shown. You can check the RSSI value of the node in the Signal strength section.
What causes a poor signal, and what can I do to improve it?
The following are the usual causes for a poor signal:
- Node placement - Nodes placed improperly or too far apart can cause weaker signals. Make sure all nodes are placed out in the open where signals can travel versus inside a cabinet or behind furniture.
- Interference from crowded WiFi airspace - Your router sends data across frequency bands: 2.5 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz (if the router supports it). Within these bands are channels which are segments of the band and identified by a number. Like multiple lanes on a freeway, these channels can get crowded when a certain number of devices use them to connect to WiFi. Keep in mind your neighbor’s devices will be using these channels too.
Here's what you can do to improve it:
- If a node is out in the open but still has a weak signal, try relocating or moving the child node closer to another node, then recheck your signal. Give it a few minutes to adjust.
- Power cycle the child node.
- Restart the network or power cycle the parent router.
- If a wireless child node appears as a wired node, consider restarting the network. After the network has come back online, wait a few minutes, and refresh the Home page to check if the status has changed.
Does good signal strength guarantee good network performance?
Not necessarily. Achieving good signal strength is a good place to start for optimizing your network but also consider the number of devices and bandwidth your network uses.
What can I do when a client is connected to a node that’s farther away with a weak signal?
This situation may occur when using a non-stationary device such as a mobile phone or laptop that was connected to the closest node but was moved afterward. WiFi drivers in these devices use signal strength to determine if it’s time to search for another access point or node. You can force a device to connect to another node by simply turning the device’s WiFi OFF and ON again.
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