Can I increase wireless signal with more usb adapters?

December 14th, 2008 | by Joe |

I have a laptop connected to an Ethernet port that has a network with internet.

The laptop is producing a wireless signal so others can connect to it through WiFi.

I have 2 other adapters that connect through USB,
can I use them to increase my wireless signal? and have my laptop, and 2 of them producing and making the wireless signal bigger?

thanks in advance

Your wireless USB adapters and the wireless adapter built into your laptop aren't going to be able to load balance for a faster wireless connection. Potentially you could configure 3 different wireless devices to all broadcast on different channels say 1, 6 and 11 which would not over lap and would allow for faster communication but may or may not provide more coverage in terms of area. But to make that work would involve some pretty complex configuration.

You may find that one of the USB adapters can provide a stronger signal than the built in wireless card in your laptop which may allow you to provide more coverage and a faster wireless connection. The only way to verify this would be to disable the built in wireless card in your laptop and try the USB adapters you have. When it comes to wireless, there's never any guarantees.

Jason
CCNA, CSE, CCENT, Network+,

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  1. 7 Responses to “Can I increase wireless signal with more usb adapters?”

  2. By ruruep on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    NO, your actually losing signal,,,wireless and ethernet are competing for the signal, which your ethernet will always win
    References :

  3. By jonathanc3457 on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    I know hell of alot about computers and i don't understand what you are talking about. Can you re phrase that?
    References :

  4. By Jackal on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    You can increase the signal by keeping the bandwidth usage low. But in your idea, no, that will not work.

    If you want a higher and stronger signal, keep all your computers clean.

    A lot of people gimme crap when I say that, but im serious.. if you keep your computer clean software wise, your signal strength will stay good.
    References :

  5. By G™ on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    Increasing the number of wireless adapters would not do you any good. You need a signal booster. I saw one on eBay last week. Search around on the internet and you'll find one. I believe it increases the range of your wireless router by about 300 feet.

    Good luck.
    References :

  6. By oalos255 on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    Your wireless USB adapters and the wireless adapter built into your laptop aren't going to be able to load balance for a faster wireless connection. Potentially you could configure 3 different wireless devices to all broadcast on different channels say 1, 6 and 11 which would not over lap and would allow for faster communication but may or may not provide more coverage in terms of area. But to make that work would involve some pretty complex configuration.

    You may find that one of the USB adapters can provide a stronger signal than the built in wireless card in your laptop which may allow you to provide more coverage and a faster wireless connection. The only way to verify this would be to disable the built in wireless card in your laptop and try the USB adapters you have. When it comes to wireless, there's never any guarantees.

    Jason
    CCNA, CSE, CCENT, Network+,
    References :

  7. By Colinc on Dec 15, 2008 | Reply

    No. You will in fact lose signal as they will conflict, and slow the machine because it will waste a lot of time determining which adaptor to use for each packet sent.
    References :

  8. By Mike on May 1, 2010 | Reply

    My guess is that more USB connectors will interfere with each other, even if they are on different channels.

    The best thing you can do is use a USB adapter with an external antenna connector, then hook up a high gain wifi antenna to it.

    My personal favorite is a Cantenna. I can easily connect to my home wifi network from a half a mile away using one.

    Here is a link for building a cantenna. It takes about an hours time and about $10 worth of materials.
    .-= Mike´s last blog ..How to Password Protect a web page or directory =-.

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