Finding the signal strength
The signal strength tells you how strongly the computer or printer is receiving the wireless signal from the wireless
network. Poor signal quality could affect connectivit y during configuration.

Checking computer connectivity

1From y our com pu ter s ys tem t ra y, cl ic k th e wir ele ss i co n tha t c orr esp ond s to the sof twa re m ana gin g yo ur w ire les s
network adapter.
2Check the signal quality.

Checking printer connectivity

•From the printer, print a network setup page.
In the Wireless section, look for Quality.
•View the signal strength from the printer control panel.
Navigate to:
> Network Setup > Wireless Networking
The signal bars indicating the signal quality appear bes ide the network name.
To improve signal quality, remove sources of interference and/or move wireless devices closer to the access point
(wireless router).
How can I improve wireless signal stre ngth?
A common reason wireless printers fai l to communicate over a networ k is poor wireless signal quali ty. If the signal
is too weak, too distorted, or blocked b y an object, it cannot carry inf ormation between the access point and the
printer. To determine if the printer is receiv ing a strong signal from the access po int, print a network setup page. The
Quality field indicates the relative strength of the wireless signal the printer is receiving. Drops in signal strength can
be intermittent, however, and although the signal quality appears high, it may drop during certain conditions.
If you think signal strength is a problem between your access point (wireless router) and the printer, then try one or
more of the following:
Notes:
•The solutions below are for infrastructure netw orks. If you are using an ad hoc network, then adj ust the computer
when the solution suggests adjusting the access point.
•Ad hoc networks have a much shorter range than infrastructure networks. Try moving the printer closer to the
computer if they seem to have trouble communicating.
MOVE THE PRINTER CLOSER TO THE ACCESS POINT
If the printer is too far away from the access point, then it will not be able to communicate with other devices on
the network. For most indoor wireless networks, the maximum dista nce between the access point and the printer
is approximately 100 feet (30 meters) . This distance could be longer or shor ter, depending upon the layout of the
network and the limi tations of the a ccess point.
Networking
116