How to check Wi-Fi signal strength on Windows 11
You can use these five ways to determine if your device has a good wireless signal on Windows 11.
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OnWindows 11, you can check the Wi-Fi signal strength in multiple ways, and in this guide, I will show you how to complete this task.
When you connect your laptop or desktop computer to the network and the internet using a wireless adapter, the quality of the signal will impact the connection’s performance. The main reason is that this technology uses radio waves to send and receive data, which are susceptible to interference and limited in range.
As a result, the ability to know the signal strength for a Wi-Fi connection can help you troubleshoot connectivity problems and quickly discard an issue with the Internet Service Provider (ISP).
If you must check the signal strength, Windows 11 offers at least five ways to complete this task: using the Taskbar’s Quick Settings, the Settings app, the legacy Control Panel, and commands with PowerShell and Command Prompt.
In thishow-to guide, I will explain the different ways to monitor the wireless signal quality on Windows 11.
How to check wireless strength from Taskbar
To determine the signal quality of your Wi-Fi connection from the Taskbar, use these steps:
In the icon, one solid bar indicates a weak signal, two bars mean the signal is acceptable, and three and four bars represent the best signal you can get.
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How to check wireless strength from Settings
To check the Wi-Fi signal strength from the Settings app, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the wireless icon will give you an indication of the signal quality on Windows 11.
How to check wireless strength from Control Panel
To determine the signal quality of a wireless connection, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the legacy Control Panel will reveal the connection signal quality of your computer.
How to check wireless strength from PowerShell
To find out the Wi-Fi signal strength through PowerShell, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the connection is reliable if you see a signal quality between80and100percent. If the signal is above70percent, it’s still good for light web browsing. Anything below60percent of the signal is weak.
How to check wireless strength from Command Prompt
To confirm the Wi-Fi signal strength from the Command Prompt, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, Command Prompt will reveal the quality of the signal quality.
Consider these tips to improve signal strength
If your device has a weak wireless signal, move the computer closer to the access point or place the access point in the line of sight, such as in the middle of the room, where you can see it.
As you make physical changes to the computer or access point’s location, run the Command Prompt or PowerShell commands to get more accurate results.
You can also use the dynamic wireless icon. Each bar (including the dot) represents a quarter of the signal quality. The dot is25percent, the second bar is50percent, the third is75percent, and the fourth is100percent.
You should also consider the physical environment. For example, fluorescent lights and microwaves can cause wireless signal interference, walls, and other solid objects can weaken the quality of the signal, and the position of the antennas can also play a role.
In addition, if you’re in a location with many wireless signals using the channel, this can also cause problems with the connection speeds. Usually, modern access points can detect and adapt to the environment, but sometimes, you may just have to change the configuration, such as changing the wireless channel to one that is less crowded.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
