Our homes are becoming more and more connected. In order for the home network to work, it needs a sufficiently fast and, above all, stable Internet connection. But what if the WLAN causes problems and the Fritzbox does not work as it should? TECHBOOK reveals how to find the cause of your WLAN problem and, of course, how to fix it.
Nothing is more annoying than a non-working home network. There are many reasons for poor WiFi coverage – and they don’t always have something to do with the router. Is the slow connection perhaps due to a lame line, are there outages in the network or even other sources of interference? Fritzbox owners can find out in just a few steps and improve WiFi reception.
Diagnosis via Fritzbox or app
The interface of the Fritzbox is designed in such a way that users can make many settings themselves, even if they are not very technically savvy. In addition, AVM also offers a number of apps to match its hardware, which help to set up the network and troubleshoot problems.
Start function diagnosis via the Fritzbox
To find out whether your Fritzbox is running properly or whether it is responsible for the WLAN problem, proceed as follows: Connect the computer to the router (LAN) using a network cable. Then call up the Fritzbox menu. To do this, simply enter in the browser on the PC 192.168.178.1 or http://fritz.box a. The router interface opens, on which you still have to log in.
On the left you will find the menu with its sub-items. Click on “Diagnosis” in the navigation and then on the sub-item “Function”. Here you can now start the function diagnosis and the Fritzbox searches for errors in the home network.
Practical: you can also see how many devices are connected to your home network, whether they are transmitting via the 2.4 or 5 GHz band and how fast the average data rate of your line is when uploading and downloading.
If all home network components are marked green after the test, your home network is working properly. Otherwise, the Fritzbox automatically shows where the problem is. If there is a gray question mark, the menu will ask you to enter a phone number that will be called as a test. A blue exclamation mark means that parts of the Fritzbox are switched off, a cross on a red background means that the Internet connection has been interrupted. The menu usually tells you what to do with each message. For more information, see the AVM website.
Also read: Big update on Fritz!OS 7.50 brings over 100 new features to the Fritzbox
WLAN check with the Fritz!App WLAN
Another option for Fritzbox users to identify and eliminate any problems with their WLAN is the Fritz!App WLAN from AVM. The Fritzbox manufacturer offers them for both Android and iOS free of charge.
The position of the router or any WiFi repeater used in the apartment or house can already be decisive for the connection quality. The app can help to find the perfect location for the devices. If users hold their smartphone with the app up in a place where the WiFi connection fluctuates, the app measures the connection strength and WiFi speed in real time and rates them as very good, good or even poor. In this way, users receive information as to whether they need to move their Fritzbox and can also test the new position immediately afterwards. Sometimes it is enough to move the router a little further up, for example on a cupboard, or further in the middle of the room.
The app also lists all wireless networks found in the area and shows whether they might be interfering with each other. Because it is possible that the devices of the neighbors influence your own home network with their strong signal. If this is the case, users can change the radio channel – to where fewer radio devices are on the move.
Checklist for WLAN problems with the Fritzbox
If you cannot open or use the Fritzbox diagnostics or cannot find a solution to a problem at all, use the following tips to improve your WLAN connection and localize errors:
- Make sure your Fritzbox gets power. You should be able to tell by the lit status lights on the device.
- Examine the WiFi light on the router. If this flashes continuously, there is probably a problem in the line, for example a power failure. In this case you should contact your provider.
- If, on the other hand, the LED on the Fritzbox lights up green continuously, the line is not affected and the WLAN network is stable. Here it is worthwhile to identify possible other sources of interference using the options mentioned above. It is possible that there is simply not enough bandwidth in a corner of the apartment.
- In order to check the disruption of the Internet connection, you can carry out a speed test in the Fritzbox.
- If the WiFi light is solid but you can’t find the network on your phone or computer, try restarting the router.
- If the network is consistently disrupted, try the secret power mode.
- You should also ensure that the latest software is installed.
- Did you receive the Fritzbox as a loan device from the Internet provider? Then he can help with problems.