Why does the strength of my WiFi signal decreases once I connect to it?
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I am using Linux Mint as my operating system, and this system when you want to connect to wireless network you are shown the names and a percentage strength of all wireless networks that are available near you. But what I can't understand is why, before connecting to the router that is like 5 feet away from me the strength of the signal is for example 92 %, and once I click and connect that signal decreases sometimes by 10% or more, making it now less strong than other WiFi availables. I have tested it with different SSIDs, so this is not something related to a unique SSID. I am using a VPN, could it be that once I connect to one particular WiFi Access Point my operating system sees that and decreases the signal percentage knowing that VPNs sometimes slow down your connection?
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This can be because of many things.
- It could be the Power of the wireless access point.
- It could be the wireless nic on the connecting device.
- It could be additional EM field interference from Microwaves, TVs, Electrical bleed from fluorescent lighting...etc. It could even be too many devices plugged into the same electrical circuit or that circuit having a common ground.
In other words, it's only by the process of elimination that you can isolate. - There could be antenna issues itself.
- The VPN slows down the traffic because it has to build up the tunnel, filter, etc but it shouldn't influence the signal strength.
This is a layer 1 troubleshooting issue.