You tap the alert on your phone just as someone steps onto your porch, then the screen locks up. The figure freezes midstride, the image pixelates, and before you can make out a face, the camera goes dark. A few seconds later, the app tells you what you already know: camera offline. But is the problem your camera, your Wi-Fi, or both?

Chances are, it’s not the camera. It’s your Wi-Fi. Outdoor security cameras push the limits of your home network more than any other device. Their signals must punch through walls, windows, and sometimes half the expanse of your yard just to stay connected. Add interference from neighboring routers or even a nearby microwave (yours or your neighbors’), and that live view can turn into a slideshow.

The good news is you don’t need to tear down walls or repl

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