Sound familiar?
- Wi-Fi is fine in the morning but slows to a crawl later
- One end of the office or upstairs has no signal
- Video calls freeze but wired PCs are fine
- Laptops cling to a weak signal instead of the nearer access point
- The card machine or printer keeps dropping off Wi-Fi
- Guests use the same Wi-Fi as your staff
Key facts
- Remote Wi-Fi diagnosis and configuration at £45 an hour + VAT
- On 2.4 GHz only channels 1, 6 and 11 avoid overlapping each other
- 5 GHz is faster and less crowded but has shorter range through walls
- Wireless mesh backhaul shares airtime; wired backhaul performs better
- Guest Wi-Fi should be isolated from business devices
- Access point installs and cabling are quoted upfront
Why office Wi-Fi is unreliable
Most small offices rely on the Wi-Fi built into the ISP's router, placed wherever the phone line comes in. That might be a cupboard at one end of the building behind a brick wall. Add neighbouring offices' networks, Bluetooth headsets and a microwave, and the signal struggles.
dijitul support works out which of those factors applies before suggesting you spend anything. Often a settings change fixes it. For wider network problems see network support, and for everything else, IT support.
2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz, and channel overlap
| Band | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | Longer range, better through walls, supported by older devices like card machines and printers | Only three non-overlapping channels (1, 6, 11); crowded in busy areas; slower |
| 5 GHz | Many more channels, faster, less interference | Shorter range; some channels (DFS) may switch if radar is detected |
| 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E and 7) | Very clean spectrum, high speeds | Shortest range; needs newer devices and access points |
On 2.4 GHz, each channel is around 20 MHz wide but channels are only 5 MHz apart, so channel 3 overlaps with 1 and 6. If your router sits on channel 3 next to neighbours on 1 and 6, it gets interference from both. We scan the airwaves, pick the clearest channel, and keep 2.4 GHz at 20 MHz width.
Mesh, extenders and access points
- Plug-in extenders repeat the signal but halve the available airtime, and devices often stay stuck on them. We rarely recommend them for offices.
- Mesh systems use several units that share one network name and hand devices between them. With wireless backhaul, units talk to each other over the same air, which costs speed. With wired backhaul using an Ethernet cable between units, they perform much better.
- Ceiling or wall access points on Ethernet, often powered by PoE switches, are the most reliable option for offices. They can be managed centrally with consistent settings.
We also set minimum signal levels and band steering so devices move to a nearer access point instead of clinging to a distant one.
Guest Wi-Fi and security
Visitors and staff phones should not share the network your PCs, NAS and printers use. We set up a separate guest SSID with client isolation, or a VLAN on business-grade equipment. We also check that the business network uses WPA2 or WPA3 with a strong passphrase, WPS is off, and the router's admin password is not the default on the sticker. See firewall support and broadband and router support.
Quick checks you can do first
- Test wired vs wireless. Plug a laptop into the router with a cable and run a speed test. If wired is also slow, the problem is your broadband, not your Wi-Fi.
- Restart the router outside working hours. It clears a stuck state but is not a long-term fix if you need to do it often.
- Move the router out of cupboards and away from metal cabinets, fish tanks and microwaves where you can.
- Forget and rejoin the network on a device that keeps dropping, in case it saved old settings.
- Note when it happens: times, places and devices. Patterns tell us a lot.
Send us what you found and we will take it from there. If broadband itself is the problem, see broadband and router support.
What it costs
Remote Wi-Fi work, including channel and band changes, guest network setup and firmware updates, is £45 an hour + VAT with a 30-minute minimum, then 15-minute blocks. If the building simply needs more access points or Ethernet runs, we design the layout and quote the on-site installation upfront, telling you exactly what equipment to buy. Clients on the Complete plan at £99 a month + VAT can use their 3 included hours. Working from home with bad Wi-Fi? See home working IT support. Get in touch to start.
What it costs
Support plans from £25 a month + VAT, or £45 an hour + VAT for one-off fixes. Pick a plan if you want it looked after every month, or pay by the hour for a one-off job.
Essential
Keep it updated, backed up and watched.
- Website software updates (core, plugins, themes) applied and checked
- Daily backups
- Uptime monitoring
- Security monitoring
Business
Updates plus an hour of fixes every month.
- Everything in Essential
- 1 hour of fixes or changes every month
- Priority support
Complete
Website and your team's IT, covered.
- Everything in Business
- 3 hours of fixes or changes every month
- IT and Microsoft 365 helpdesk for your team
No plan? The first 30 minutes are the minimum charge, then we bill in 15-minute blocks.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my office Wi-Fi slow in the afternoon?
Often more devices and neighbours are active, crowding the 2.4 GHz channels, or broadband is saturated by uploads and backups. dijitul checks channel congestion and bandwidth use, then changes channels, bands or settings to fix it.
Should I use 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
Use 5 GHz for laptops and phones where possible because it is faster and less crowded. Keep 2.4 GHz for older or long-range devices such as printers and card machines. dijitul configures both so devices pick the right band.
Is mesh Wi-Fi good for an office?
Mesh works well for small offices, especially with wired backhaul between units. With wireless backhaul speed drops at each hop. For larger offices, dijitul usually recommends wired ceiling access points.
How much does Wi-Fi support cost?
dijitul charges £45 an hour + VAT for remote Wi-Fi diagnosis and configuration. New access points or cabling need an on-site visit, which is quoted upfront. Clients on the Complete plan at £99 a month + VAT can use their included hours for Wi-Fi changes.
Can you fix Wi-Fi remotely?
Many Wi-Fi problems are settings: channels, channel width, band steering and firmware. dijitul can change these remotely through your router or controller. Physical moves and new hardware need a visit.
Related
Get it fixed
One-off fixes are £45 an hour + VAT. You'll know the likely cost before we start.