How to check Hughesnet signal strength

Signal strength is something that holds great importance, especially for wireless connections. This includes fixed wireless internet, cellular LTE, and even satellite internet signals. Satellite internet services such as Hughesnet greatly depend on the signals they receive from the satellite up in space. The reception effectiveness can vary due to a number of reasons.

In this article, we discuss why Hughesnet signal strength might show variation and how you can keep tabs on it. So, let us jump right in!

Why is My Hughesnet Signal Low?

Satellite internet services such as Hughesnet are quite vulnerable to the external environment. This is exactly why the Hughesnet signal strength and hence the connection quality tends to vary so much. While there are multiple reasons that may cause a dip in the Hughesnet signal, some of the most common include:

• Disconnected cable between LNB of satellite dish & satellite receiver adapter: If the cable connecting your satellite receiver adapter and the Low-Noise Block Downconverter of the satellite dish is disconnected, loose, or even damaged, a proper signal is not acquired. The signal is patchy at best and often low which can be frustrating to deal with.
• Harsh weather conditions: Being a satellite service, severe weather adversely influences Hughesnet signal strength. It may face downtime or be completely absent in what is usually known as the ‘rain fade’.  More often than not, as the weather conditions alleviate, so does the signal strength of your Hughesnet connection.
• Malalignment of the satellite dish: An improperly aligned dish receiver can miss the signals being sent down from the satellite leading to low signal strength. Previously high signal strength that has recently suffered a signal blow can point toward this. Ensure that your satellite dish is securely mounted and in line with the signal direction.  
• Satellite receiver adapter and/or device driver dysfunction: Albeit rare, in some cases, the low signal strength may stem from a defective satellite receiver adapter or a device driver, both of which are essential components of the system. If this is the case, you may have to contact Hughesnet customer service and have it replaced for the signal strength to improve.

How to Check Hughesnet Signal Strength

To check the signal for Hughesnet Internet, you would have to run a satellite receiver test. This diagnostic feature is built into the system and monitors the signal strength on its very own. All you need is the antenna-pointing program or the DIRECWAY Navigator status dialog to do this.

If at any point during the test your Hughesnet signal strength takes a dip below the minimum value of 30, the built-in diagnostic program will immediately kick in and let you know. A signal in the 30's should normally only occur during harsh weather conditions such as rain or snowfall, with a clear improvement as the weather gets better.

The Satellite Signal diagnostic test is an indispensable tool that ensures a satisfactory satellite signal for your Hughesnet connection. Of course, the absence of good signal strength strips you from being able to use the satellite receiver adapter to its full potential, which is high-speed data transfer.

Some common errors that the receiver diagnostic test can detect include the following.

• The receiver is not locked: This condition shows that the receiver is not able to receive a signal from the satellite and usually shows up as a signal level lower than 30. A weather outage, satellite outage, or wrong antenna alignment can all be reasons for this error.
• The receiver fails to receive a signal: This condition is when the receiver is not able to detect any signal from the antenna itself. This could be pertinent to a cable issue between the receiver and the antenna or if the receiver itself is defective. All cables and connectors on the network should be checked.
• The receiver is in pointing mode: This condition shows that the subscriber is performing antenna pointing. When in this mode, the transmitter automatically disables for safety concerns since an installer is actively working near the dish.
• The receiver locked to the wrong network: This condition can occur if the receiver is locked to a signal that does not match the ID that was assigned to the subscriber at registration. This could be due to the customer changing the pointing parameters to a different satellite location, or tuning in to a frequency that does not match their ID. Simply running the WebSetup program again would help fix this issue.
• The receiver is locked to an unknown network: This is a condition that normally occurs when the receiver is locked to a signal but there is no network ID on the signal. Reasons given in the previous point are relevant to this as well including faulty components which could be a cause. If not, then running the WebSetup program should solve this problem.

How to Boost Hughesnet Satellite Signal At Home

If you are experiencing a speed or signal drop in your home even though your connection seems to be working fine, it might be time to consider getting a Hughesnet Wi-Fi booster. It connects to your existing Wi-Fi network and works on rebroadcasting and expanding its signal. All you have to do is place the booster at an optimal position (ideally halfway to your router) and let it work its magic!

Hughesnet offers an excellent Wi-Fi booster that has been produced exclusively for Hughesnet internet customers. Some of the perks that come with this booster include:

• You always get seamless service: Automatically connect all your devices to the clearest channel and strongest GHz band available on the network.
• You get continued care for 2 years: Enjoy a two-year warranty period completely supported by the Hughesnet customer care team.
• Comes with simple management and set up: Have professionals set up the Wi-Fi booster. And since it is configured to the same SSID as your modem, there are no passwords to worry about.
• Get around-the-clock powerful performance: Get complete and strong performance and maintain connectivity even through thick walls and other materials.

Wrapping Up…

Hughesnet signal strength is a vulnerable parameter and can be affected by external conditions. However, there are ways to troubleshoot and fix the problem if it appears. If you are suffering from low signals within your home, you can consider getting a Hughesnet Wi-Fi booster. If you need more data, upgrade your Hughesnet plan to get greater value. Call 855-349-9309 today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my Hughesnet signal so low?

Hughesnet signal can be affected due to several issues such as a disconnected cable between the receiver and antenna, harsh weather, misalignment of the satellite dish, and a device malfunction. Run the Hughesnet signal diagnostic to isolate the problem and attempt to fix it.

How fast is Hughesnet Internet?

Hughesnet Internet offers speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 100 Mbps to facilitate all your online activities.

Stated speeds are not guaranteed.