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Asked: 2024-09-26T19:25:16+05:30 In:

I am having trouble checking the WiFi signal strength on my Ubuntu system using tools like iwconfig or wavemon. Is there a way to view this information, or are there alternative methods to monitor WiFi signal strength on my setup?

I’ve been struggling a bit with my Ubuntu setup lately, especially when it comes to monitoring my WiFi signal strength. I’ve tried using tools like iwconfig and wavemon, but every time I fire them up, I’m met with confusion. Maybe I’m missing something obvious? I always thought it would be straightforward, but I can’t seem to get the hang of it.

So here’s the thing: I have a pretty decent router, but I feel like my WiFi connection drops unexpectedly and sometimes it’s just slower than molasses. I wanted to check the signal strength to see if that’s the culprit. I thought iwconfig would give me details about my wireless connection, but when I run it, I just get a bunch of output that feels overwhelming and not very informative. And wavemon, while it looks cool, just seems a bit too technical for me to navigate effectively.

I tried looking into the Network Manager applet as well, but honestly, every time I go there, it only shows me basic connection information. I want to see more than just a few bars of signal strength! I’m sure it’s possible to get a more detailed look at what’s happening with the signal. Is there some hidden command or a simpler tool that maybe I just overlooked?

If anyone out there has had success monitoring WiFi signal strength on their Ubuntu system, I would absolutely love your insights! It’d be great to know what tools you use or if there’s a command that’s easier to understand. Is there a GUI tool that doesn’t require a PhD to figure out? Or maybe even a script that can provide this info more clearly? Any tips or tricks would be hugely appreciated because I’m at my wits’ end here trying to figure this out! Thanks a million in advance!

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    2 Answers



    1. WiFi Signal Strength Tips for Ubuntu


      Monitoring WiFi Signal Strength on Ubuntu

      It sounds like you’re in a bit of a WiFi mess! Don’t worry, though; you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by terminal commands and networking tools. I totally get where you’re coming from—sometimes it feels like the simplest things turn into a headache!

      If iwconfig and wavemon are tripping you up, there are other ways to get the signal strength in a more straightforward manner. Here are a couple of options that might help:

      1. Using a Simple Command

      Instead of diving into iwconfig output, try this command in the terminal:

          nmcli dev wifi

      This will give you a nice list of available networks along with their signal strengths (in %), and it’s usually a lot clearer.

      2. Graphical Tools

      If you’re looking for a GUI solution that doesn’t require navigating a maze of options, you could try installing Gnome Network Manager. It should come with Ubuntu by default, but if not, you can get it:

          sudo apt install network-manager-gnome

      Once installed, you can easily click on the WiFi icon in your system tray and hover over your network to see the signal strength, along with more details.

      3. Using a Monitoring Tool

      If you are still feeling adventurous, check out NetSpot. It’s a user-friendly app that allows you to see WiFi strength and network performance visually, which might make things less confusing:

          sudo snap install netspot

      4. Script for Easy Monitoring

      If you’re up for a bit of scripting, this simple bash script can help monitor your signal strength continuously:

          #!/bin/bash
    while true; do
        nmcli -f SSID,SIGNAL dev wifi
        sleep 5
    done

      This script will show you the available networks and their signal strength every 5 seconds. Just save it as wifi_monitor.sh, give it execute permissions with chmod +x wifi_monitor.sh, and run it with ./wifi_monitor.sh.

      Hopefully, one of these methods will work better for you! It’s all about finding the right tool that clicks. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need more help!


    2. If you’re looking for a simpler way to monitor your WiFi signal strength on Ubuntu, you might want to consider using a more user-friendly GUI tool like Netspot or LinSSID. Both of these applications provide a clear and intuitive interface that can display detailed information about your WiFi networks, including signal strength, noise level, and channel usage. With these tools, you can easily visualize the WiFi environment and make informed decisions about your router’s placement or configuration to improve your connection stability. Installing these tools is quite straightforward; you can typically find them in the Ubuntu Software Center or install them via terminal commands if you prefer that route.

      In addition to GUI tools, you can try using the command nmcli, which is part of the Network Manager utility. It provides a simple way to view detailed information about your wireless connections in a more readable format. For example, running nmcli -f ALL dev wifi will list all the WiFi networks around you, along with their signal strength, which you can interpret easily. If you’re looking for a quick and clear output without wading through overwhelming details, using nmcli might just be the solution you need. This should help you pinpoint if signal strength is indeed the cause of your connectivity issues and take necessary actions accordingly.

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