Local Network
WiFi Signal Test: Measure Your WiFi Signal Strength and Quality
WiFi signal strength is one of the most common causes of poor internet performance. Weak signal, channel interference, and band steering issues can cut your speed by 50 to 90% even when your router is working correctly. Our WiFi signal test assesses your current wireless connection quality.
Launch in Mission ControlWhat It Measures
This tool measures your WiFi signal strength (RSSI), estimated signal quality percentage, detected frequency band (2.4GHz, 5GHz, or 6GHz), and compares your connection speed to what your plan should deliver. It provides recommendations based on signal strength and detected issues.
How It Works
- Reads your current WiFi signal strength from the browser network API
- Detects your frequency band based on connection characteristics
- Runs a speed test to compare actual vs expected performance
- Calculates signal quality and provides distance and positioning recommendations
Why It Matters
Most users assume poor internet performance is their ISP's fault when in fact their WiFi signal is the bottleneck. A signal strength below -70 dBm cuts throughput dramatically, while interference from neighboring networks on the same channel creates inconsistent performance. Diagnosing WiFi quality is the first step in improving home network performance.
Understanding Your Results
Excellent WiFi signal is -30 to -50 dBm. Good is -50 to -60 dBm. Fair is -60 to -70 dBm. Poor is below -70 dBm and will result in significantly degraded speeds and reliability. The 5GHz band provides faster speeds but shorter range than 2.4GHz. WiFi 6 (802.11ax) improves performance in congested environments.
Ready to test?
Run WiFi Signal Test Now →Frequently Asked Questions
What is RSSI and how do I interpret it?
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measures WiFi signal power in dBm (decibels relative to a milliwatt). The scale is negative: values closer to 0 are stronger. -30 dBm is an excellent signal (right next to the router), while -80 dBm is very weak. Each 3 dBm change represents roughly double or half the signal power.
How do I improve my WiFi signal?
Move your router to a central location in your home, elevated and away from walls and appliances. Use the 5GHz band for devices close to the router (faster, shorter range) and 2.4GHz for distant devices (slower, longer range). Adding a mesh network system or WiFi extender addresses dead zones in larger homes.
What is WiFi channel interference?
WiFi channels are frequency ranges that multiple networks share. In the 2.4GHz band, there are only 3 non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11). In dense apartment buildings, all nearby networks competing on the same channel cause significant interference. The 5GHz and 6GHz bands have many more non-overlapping channels, reducing interference dramatically.
Should I use 2.4GHz or 5GHz WiFi?
Use 5GHz for devices within 10 meters of your router: it is faster and less congested. Use 2.4GHz for devices farther away or through thick walls: it penetrates obstacles better and reaches longer distances. WiFi 6E adds the 6GHz band, which is currently uncongested and provides the best performance in compatible devices.
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