If your Wi-Fi works perfectly in one room but crawls in another, you’re not imagining it.
After years of fixing home and business Wi-Fi, I can tell you this is one of the most common problems I see. That strange number you might spot in a Wi-Fi app, something like -45 dBm or -78 dBm, is called RSSI and it’s one of the quickest ways to understand what’s really going on with your signal.
So, What Is RSSI?
RSSI stands for Received Signal Strength Indicator.
In plain English, it tells you how strong the Wi-Fi signal is where you’re standing.
Think of Wi-Fi like a conversation:
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Stand close and it sounds loud and clear
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Move further away and it gets quieter
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Go too far and you struggle to hear anything at all
RSSI is simply measuring how loud that Wi-Fi “voice” is to your device.
The One Thing You Need to Know About RSSI Numbers
RSSI is shown in negative numbers, and that’s completely normal.
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Closer to Zero means a stronger signal
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More negative means a weaker signal
What RSSI Feels Like in Real Life
Excellent (-30 to -50 dBm)
✔ Close to the router
✔ Fast speeds and solid stability
✔ Ideal for streaming, gaming and video calls
Good (-50 to -67 dBm)
✔ The sweet spot for most homes
✔ Reliable and consistent
✔ Usually no noticeable issues
Fair (-67 to -70 dBm)
⚠ Works, but not always perfectly
⚠ Occasional buffering or call glitches
Poor (-70 to -80 dBm)
❌ Slow speeds and dropouts
❌ You are close to a Wi-Fi dead zone
Unusable (-80 to -90 dBm)
🚫 Devices struggle to stay connected
🚫 Even if it connects, it will be unstable
Why Wi-Fi Changes From Room to Room
Wi-Fi is radio signal, and radio does not like obstacles.
Signal strength drops because of:
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Distance from the router
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Brick, concrete, and thick walls
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Metal objects and mirrors
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Other nearby Wi-Fi networks
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Household devices like microwaves and baby monitors
Every wall is like turning the volume down a bit more.
One Important Reminder
RSSI is helpful, but it is not something to obsess over.
You can have a strong signal and still have problems caused by congestion or interference.
You can also have a slightly weaker number and everything works perfectly.
My advice is simple:
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If everything works smoothly, your Wi-Fi is doing its job
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If you are seeing buffering, lag, or dropouts, RSSI helps confirm whether coverage is the issue
Think of RSSI like a thermometer.
It does not fix the problem, but it tells you what to check next.
Need Help Fixing Weak Wi-Fi?
If your Wi-Fi is unreliable, slow, or full of dead spots, I can help.
No guesswork, no jargon, just clear advice and practical fixes that work.
📞 Get in touch today and let’s sort your Wi-Fi properly.
Download our RSSI Cheat sheet HERE