How-To

How to Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength on Windows 11

By Brian Burgess

Published March 19, 2024

When you aren’t getting the internet connection you need, the best place to start fixing it is to check Wi-Fi strength on Windows 11.

If you are experiencing issues with internet connectivity while using wireless on your laptop or desktop computer, you might need to check your Wi-Fi strength on Windows 11 to troubleshoot the problem.

Signal quality impacts page loads, video playback, gaming quality, and more. If you experience shoddy or no connectivity, you’ll want to check the signal strength.

For instance, sometimes I will be in a room in my home where I know there’s connectivity, but the signal strength isn’t the best. Looking in the lower right corner of the taskbar is an excellent place to start, but there are other ways to check it.

Once you determine wireless signal strength, you may need additional troubleshooting steps, like generating a Wi-Fi report. But first, this guide will show you different ways to check Wi-Fi signal strength on your Windows 11 computer.

Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength on Windows 11 from the Taskbar

The easiest way to check Wi-Fi signal strength on Windows 11 is from the taskbar using the following steps.

1. Click the network icon in the lower right corner of the taskbar.
2. Select the arrow button (Manage Wi-Fi connections) next to your Wi-Fi connection.
3. Confirm the number of bars in the Wi-Fi icon next to your connected network.
4. Fewer than four bars indicate a lesser-quality signal, while all four represent an excellent connection. If the network signal you want isn’t showing at all, there are steps you can take to fix Wi-Fi not showing on Windows 11.

Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength from Settings

Another way to determine the signal strength of your wireless connection is from the Settings app.

1. Press Windows key + I to directly open the Settings app.
2. Click the Network & internet option from the list in the left panel.
3. Click the Wi-Fi entry on the right.
4. Check the number of bars that appear in the wireless icon next to the connection to judge its strength.

Check Wi-Fi Signal Strength on Windows 11 via PowerShell

In addition to using visual indicators, as shown above, you can find the percentage of Wi-Fi signal strength from the command line with PowerShell.

1. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click the top result.
2. Once PowerShell launches, enter the following command and press Enter:

   (netsh wlan show interfaces) -Match '^\s+Signal' -Replace '^\s+Signal\s+:\s+',''

   

Once you run the command, you will see the percentage of Wi-Fi signal quality. Note that the percentage will go from 0 percent (no signal) to 100 percent (best quality). It’s also important to note that anything 60 percent or lower is considered a weak signal.

Check Wi-Fi Quality from Control Panel

If you still prefer to troubleshoot and manage your PC from the Control Panel, you can use it to check your Wi-Fi signal quality.

1. Press the Windows key, type CPL, and open the Control Panel.
2. Click on Network and Sharing Center.
3. You can see the Wi-Fi signal strength next to your connected networks.
4. For more on signal strength and other network details, click one and view its status.
5. This window will provide a better view of your wireless connections and additional details on the Wi-Fi signal strength.

Finding Wi-Fi Signal Strength on Windows 11

When you wirelessly connect to your network on a Windows 11 PC but have a slow or sporadic connection, the best way to resolve the problem is to check the Wi-Fi signal strength. Luckily, the above steps provide multiple ways to find it.

If you cannot achieve the connectivity required to get your work done, try rebooting your modem and/or router. Also, ensure your device isn’t behind a wall or other obstacles that may interfere with the signal.