Top 6 Ways to View Wi-Fi Signal Strength in Windows 11

If you’re experiencing slow internet, dropped connections, or dead zones in your home or office, weak Wi-Fi signal could be the culprit. Fortunately, Windows 11 gives you multiple ways to check your signal strength so you can troubleshoot or reposition your router more effectively. Here are the top six methods to view your Wi-Fi signal strength in Windows 11:

1. Taskbar Wi-Fi Icon (Quickest Way)

Hover over the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen). A pop-up will show your connected network and a signal bar (1 to 5 bars). More bars mean a stronger connection.
Good for: Quick checks.

2. Settings App

• Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
• Click on your connected network.
• Look for the Signal strength section—it gives a clear label like Strong, Medium, or Weak.

Good for: A more descriptive strength reading.

3. Command Prompt (Detailed Data)

If you want raw numbers:

1. Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.
2. Type: netsh wlan show interfaces
3. Look for the Signal field—it shows a percentage (e.g., 87%).

Good for: Accurate signal strength in percentage terms.

4. PowerShell (Similar to Command Prompt)

Open PowerShell and run the same command:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Good for: Advanced users already working in PowerShell.

5. Windows Terminal (All-in-One Power Tool)

If you use Windows Terminal (which combines CMD and PowerShell), run:

netsh wlan show interfaces

Good for: Power users who prefer an all-in-one terminal experience.

6. Third-Party Tools (More Features)

Apps like NetSpot, inSSIDer, and Acrylic Wi-Fi Home give advanced signal mapping, live graphs, and historical data.
These tools can show:

• Signal strength over time
• Interference from neighboring networks
• Channel usage and recommendations

Good for: Tech-savvy users, network troubleshooting, and optimizing coverage.

Final Tip: What’s a “Good” Signal Strength?

• 80% or more (–50 dBm or better): Excellent
• 50–79% (–60 to –70 dBm): Usable, but not ideal for HD streaming or gaming
• Below 50% (–70 dBm or worse): Weak—expect lag, buffering, or drops

Wrap-Up

Knowing your Wi-Fi signal strength helps you pinpoint problems and improve performance. Whether you’re a casual user or a network pro, these six methods let you see exactly how strong your connection is—and make smarter choices about fixing it.

Got questions or favorite tools of your own? Drop them in the comments!