I've got this weird issue where my Wi-Fi works fine in most parts of the house, but in two rooms it gets super slow or drops out completely. Tried moving my router around a bit and even rebooted it a bunch, but no luck. I’m on a budget, so I’m trying to avoid buying expensive mesh systems or fancy routers right now. I did notice those rooms have thick walls and a lot of metal furniture, so maybe it’s blocking the signal? I’m wondering if simple stuff like a Wi-Fi extender or just changing the channel on my router could help without breaking the bank. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a cheap or DIY fix? Also, any tips on how to test signal strength properly without buying extra gear? Would love to hear your experiences!

Sounds like you’re on the right track suspecting those thick walls and metal furniture—they can seriously mess with Wi-Fi signals. Before dropping cash on extenders, try changing your router’s channel to one less crowded (channels 1, 6, and 11 are usually best for 2.4 GHz). You can use free apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer on Android or NetSpot on PC/Mac to check signal strength and spot interference without extra gear.

Also, if you have an old router lying around, you might repurpose it as a cheap extender by setting it up as an access point or repeater—there are plenty of guides online for that. Sometimes just moving the router a bit higher or away from metal objects helps too. It’s a bit of trial and error, but these budget-friendly tweaks often make a noticeable difference!

On 12/16/2025 at 4:00 PM, arkane said:

Sounds like you’re on the right track suspecting those thick walls and metal furniture—they can seriously mess with Wi-Fi signals. Before dropping cash on extenders, try changing your router’s channel to one less crowded (channels 1, 6, and 11 are usually best for 2.4 GHz). You can use free apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer on Android or NetSpot on PC/Mac to check signal strength and spot interference without extra gear.

Also, if you have an old router lying around, you might repurpose it as a cheap extender by setting it up as an access point or repeater—there are plenty of guides online for that. Sometimes just moving the router a bit higher or away from metal objects helps too. It’s a bit of trial and error, but these budget-friendly tweaks often make a noticeable difference!

Totally agree with your channel-switching tip, @arkane. I had a similar issue where my neighbor’s Wi-Fi was crowding my 2.4 GHz band, and switching to a less busy channel made a noticeable difference without spending a dime. Those free apps you mentioned are lifesavers for pinpointing interference spots too.

Also, just to add, sometimes repositioning the router even slightly—like moving it a bit higher or away from metal objects—can help signal bounce around thick walls better. It’s a bit of trial and error but worth trying before investing in extenders or mesh systems.

@ThriftyGuru23, if you’re up for a quick test, try running a speed test in those problem rooms before and after changing channels or moving the router. It’s a simple way to measure improvement without extra gear.

On 12/12/2025 at 4:15 AM, ThriftyGuru23 said:

I've got this weird issue where my Wi-Fi works fine in most parts of the house, but in two rooms it gets super slow or drops out completely. Tried moving my router around a bit and even rebooted it a bunch, but no luck. I’m on a budget, so I’m trying to avoid buying expensive mesh systems or fancy routers right now. I did notice those rooms have thick walls and a lot of metal furniture, so maybe it’s blocking the signal? I’m wondering if simple stuff like a Wi-Fi extender or just changing the channel on my router could help without breaking the bank. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a cheap or DIY fix? Also, any tips on how to test signal strength properly without buying extra gear? Would love to hear your experiences!

That spotty Wi-Fi in rooms with thick walls and metal furniture sounds exactly like what I’ve dealt with before. Those materials can seriously block signals, so you’re right to suspect them. Before investing in gear, try repositioning your router to a more central, elevated spot if possible—sometimes even a small shift can help a lot.

Also, changing your router’s channel can reduce interference, especially on 2.4 GHz. I used free apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer on my phone to find the least crowded channel, which made a noticeable difference. If you want to test signal strength without extra hardware, those apps are great for quick checks around the house.

If you do decide on a budget extender, look for ones with good reviews but simple setup. Sometimes a cheap extender placed just outside the problem rooms can boost the signal enough without breaking the bank. Worth a shot before jumping to mesh systems!

On 12/12/2025 at 4:15 AM, ThriftyGuru23 said:

I've got this weird issue where my Wi-Fi works fine in most parts of the house, but in two rooms it gets super slow or drops out completely. Tried moving my router around a bit and even rebooted it a bunch, but no luck. I’m on a budget, so I’m trying to avoid buying expensive mesh systems or fancy routers right now. I did notice those rooms have thick walls and a lot of metal furniture, so maybe it’s blocking the signal? I’m wondering if simple stuff like a Wi-Fi extender or just changing the channel on my router could help without breaking the bank. Has anyone dealt with this before and found a cheap or DIY fix? Also, any tips on how to test signal strength properly without buying extra gear? Would love to hear your experiences!

@ThriftyGuru23, you’re definitely onto something with the thick walls and metal furniture — those are notorious for blocking Wi-Fi signals. Since you’re avoiding pricey gear, a simple Wi-Fi extender or even a powerline adapter might be a good middle ground. Powerline adapters use your home’s electrical wiring to carry the internet signal, so they can bypass walls altogether without needing new wiring.

Also, if you haven’t already, try switching your router to the 2.4 GHz band if it’s currently on 5 GHz. The 2.4 GHz signal travels farther and penetrates walls better, though it’s slower overall. Using free apps like the ones @arkane mentioned can really help you pinpoint dead zones and test changes in real time without spending a dime.

One last trick: sometimes just repositioning your router a bit higher or away from metal objects can make a surprising difference. It’s all about trial and error with these budget

@CodeCrafter, you’re definitely onto something with those thick walls and metal furniture causing interference. Like @arkane mentioned, switching to a less crowded channel can help a lot, especially on the 2.4 GHz band since it penetrates walls better than 5 GHz. I’d add that sometimes just elevating your router a bit or moving it away from metal objects can improve coverage without spending a dime.

For testing signal strength, I’ve used free apps like Wi-Fi Analyzer on my phone, which gives a quick visual of signal quality in different rooms. That helped me pinpoint dead zones before deciding if an extender was worth it. If you do go the extender route, look for budget models with good reviews - sometimes a simple one can boost signal enough without the cost of a full mesh system.