Wifi signal strength much lower on PC than mobile

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lanieramroth

Sep 25, 2018
3
0
10
Hello.
I recently purchased a wifi dongle for my desktop computer (I have linked the dongle below in case it is the weak link here). My desktop is a refurbished HP Z400. Right now, my desktop is only detecting two or three different wireless networks, whilst my phone and laptop are both detecting many more. Additionally, the signal strength of my home network on my desktop is far lower than the strength detected on my phone and laptop, and the speed of the connection on my desktop is also far slower than on my other devices.
What is stranger is that the other detected networks on my PC have the same signal strength as they do on my phone and laptop - it's just my network that has lower signal strength (and speed) on my desktop compared to on my phone and laptop.

Here are the things I have tried so far:
-Updating the dongle’s drivers
-Uninstalling its drivers and allowing them to be reinstalled on reboot
-Changing the channel of my router

Wifi dongle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06XZ5B5G9/ref=s9_acsd_top_hd_bw_bT8fnL_c_x_1_w/262-5788001-4415234?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-3&pf_rd_r=12JD4237GYYPR27VPHRM&pf_rd_r=12JD4237GYYPR27VPHRM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=c5844d30-148c-5dcf-9564-be0731b92d74&pf_rd_p=c5844d30-148c-5dcf-9564-be0731b92d74&pf_rd_i=430581031

Any help would be very much appreciated.
 
Solution
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Before I even looked the part up i just knew it was of those tiny devices. Wifi size actually matters,those small units have very tiny antenna. In addition being a small device it sits extremely close to the metal case which block the antennas even more.

In addition these device tend to be used for laptop, tablets etc which are battery powered so they tend to try to use less which mean lower powered amplifiers.

The cheapest thing you can try is a USB extension cable. Getting it away from the computer case should give you a bit more signal.

If you want to try USB devices try ones with external antenna. I would also stay away from all these unknown brands you find on amazon and ebay. Many are shipped directly from china and...
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lanieramroth

Sep 25, 2018
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Thanks. Just out of interest, how do you know that it is better-suited to across-the-room use?
 
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bill001g

Titan
Aug 9, 2012
28,365
2,766
125,640
Before I even looked the part up i just knew it was of those tiny devices. Wifi size actually matters,those small units have very tiny antenna. In addition being a small device it sits extremely close to the metal case which block the antennas even more.

In addition these device tend to be used for laptop, tablets etc which are battery powered so they tend to try to use less which mean lower powered amplifiers.

The cheapest thing you can try is a USB extension cable. Getting it away from the computer case should give you a bit more signal.

If you want to try USB devices try ones with external antenna. I would also stay away from all these unknown brands you find on amazon and ebay. Many are shipped directly from china and have never been certified by things like the FCC so technically they are illegal. The much larger issue though is support, who knows if they will be around tomorrow when you need a driver update because microsoft broke something with a windows update.
 
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Solution
terry4536

terry4536

Glorious
Mar 28, 2010
9,743
6
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The dongles don't have the signal range operating off of the USB power (in my opinion). Plus they don't have much in the way of an antenna.
 
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lanieramroth

Sep 25, 2018
3
0
10

Thank you very much for your help. I think I will try purchasing a device with an external antenna like you suggested. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. Once again, thanks!
 
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