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NetSpot: Wi-Fi Network Detector and Manager

NetSpot is a great tool to manage your wireless network.
top choice
  • NetSpot
  • Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting
  • 4.8
  • 969 User reviews

NetSpot allows you to detect all of the Wi-Fi hotspots in your area and determine where the best place to position your access points is. It also helps you find the best WiFi channel for your router.

How to Manage Your Wireless Network With NetSpot

When it comes to WLAN management, NetSpot makes your job much easier.

Step 1: Download and Run NetSpot

Launch NetSpot and upload a map of the area you wish to survey.

Wi-Fi Network Manager

Step 2: Complete your Scan

Complete your scan, following the directions in NetSpot Knowledgebase. How do I start my Wi-Fi survey?

Manage Your WiFi Network

Step 3: Isolate Your Network

Isolate your network by unchecking the boxes next to the other network names in the list of networks.

Wireless Network Manager

Step 4: Study the Heatmap

Study the heatmap of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio. Look for areas of dark blue and purple. These are spots where coverage may be inadequate.

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Step 5: Relocate an Access Point

Determine if moving an access point (router) might solve the problem. If so, move the router and scan again. Simply create a new snapshot for the same zone to quickly run a comparison survey.

Wi-Fi Visualization

Step 6: Identify Sources of Interference

If moving the router is not an option, attempt to identify sources of interference and eliminate them. View the Noise Level heatmap by choosing this visualization from the drop-down menu.

WLAN Manager

Step 7: Consider Switching Channels

Click on Configure > Select Networks by Channel at the bottom of the control panel to select the best wireless channel. Consider switching channels in your access point configuration utility if one has less interference than another.

Select Networks by Channel

By determining the correct router location and channel, you are well on your way to successfully managing your Wi-Fi network. WLAN managers like NetSpot are a critical part of optimizing your wireless network.

NetSpot Wi-Fi Manager will

  • Help you configure your wireless network
  • Tune WiFi network of any size
  • Help improve WLAN network
  • Visualize and scan WLAN site
  • Scan Wi-Fi and visualize its coverage
  • Act as a versatile WiFi managing app
SO, WE RECOMMEND
NetSpot
Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 10.12+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
  • 4.8
  • 969 User reviews
  • #1
  • Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting

  • 500K
  • Users
  • 10
  • Years
  • Cross-platform
  • Mac/Windows

FAQ

How to Manage Your Wireless Network with NetSpot?

NetSpot is a versatile app that won't only help you identify any possible issues with WiFi, but is also very helpful for monitoring of the signal strength and the consistency of coverage. We highly recommend to follow these steps once a month:

Step 1
Scan the neighboring networks and isolate yours for a deeper analysis. If you are happy with the results, close NetSpot and analyse your network again in a month.

Step 2
If there are issues, identify their sources and follow the instructions given to you by NetSpot.

Are there any map recommendations?

Get the best results with your WiFi maps with NetSpot. Use the following tips as your guidance. To import a map to NetSpot, save it in one of the following formats: GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF or PDF (but only the first page of a multi-page PDF). It is recommended to have maps in blacn and white with a white background.

If you are going to scan a very large area, break it into sections and upload those sections as separate zones. A recommended max size of a map is 3000 x 2000 pixels. Larger maps are processed better on laptops with more RAM, if you feel like your laptop is struggling, try decreasing the size of your map.

What can I do if I don't have a map?

If you don’t yet have a map to upload, you can do the following:

  • Draw a new map in NetSpot;
  • Ask the building owner or the local County Clerk's office for a copy of blueprints. Scan and save them on your computer;
  • Draw a map with a pencil on graph paper and scan it;
  • Create a map with an app such as My Four Walls, MagicPlan for iOS, or CamToPlan for Android that were recommended by other NetSpot users.

Why do I need to manage my wireless network?

Consistent management of a WiFi network allows you to keep its performance in top shape and efficiently use your resources, such as access points.

Have more questions?
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Read next in All about Wi-Fi

If you want to dive deeper into this Wi-Fi thing, check out the following articles about Wi-Fi security, the best apps for wireless networking, inflight WiFi, etc.
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Wi-Fi Site Surveys, Analysis, Troubleshooting runs on a MacBook (macOS 10.12+) or any laptop (Windows 7/8/10/11) with a standard 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax wireless network adapter.
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