Monitor Wi-Fi Signal and Map It With NetSpot

Step 1

Select a Mode

Choose Inspector Mode, Survey Mode, or Planning Mode based on your needs.

• Inspector Mode scans all nearby networks, showing signal strength, channel usage, and security settings to help pinpoint sources of interference. It also supports modern WiFi standards, including WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, ensuring accurate diagnostics for the latest technologies. Since wireless environments change over time, NetSpot receives frequent updates to remain relevant and compatible with new networking technologies.
• Survey Mode creates detailed WiFi heatmaps — offering more than 20 different types of visualizations — that go beyond just signal strength. NetSpot provides in-depth analysis by visualizing key metrics such as signal-to-noise ratio, interference levels, number of access points, band coverage, and more, enabling a comprehensive assessment of network performance.
• Planning Mode helps optimize WiFi networks before installation, factoring in access point placement, physical obstructions, and environmental conditions for the best possible coverage.

Step 2

Load a floorplan

To monitor your WiFi coverage, use Survey Mode. Load a floorplan of the area you wish to scan, or use NetSpot’s drawing feature to draw a map, and then click Continue.

Step 3

Calibrate the map

To ensure your heatmaps match real-world conditions, start by calibrating your floorplan — either by indicating its total area or by entering the distance between two known points. In NetSpot, open the measurement tool, pick two identifiable spots on your map, and provide the exact distance between them. NetSpot will then adjust the map to produce more accurate survey data. Once you’re done, click Continue to move on.

Step 4

Active Scanning

To analyze actual Internet connection speed in your network you might wish to enable Active scanning on the screen. Do it or proceed by clicking Continue.

Step 5

Monitor Wireless Network

Now you are ready to monitor your wireless network. Walk to one corner of the area you wish to monitor. Click the point on the map that corresponds to where you are standing. NetSpot will then take its first measurement (or data sample). Hold still until the scan is complete.

Walk to the next spot and click the map again to take your next measurement. Once you have taken at least three scans, the option heatmaps is activated, as you have reached the minimum samples required to build a report.

Continue moving and scanning until you have covered the whole area, then click the heatmaps button in the top-right corner.

Step 6

Find your WLAN from the List of Networks

Find your WLAN from the list of networks on the left side of the window. Uncheck the boxes next to the other wireless networks, leaving only your network checked.

Step 7

Study the WiFi Heatmaps

Study WiFi heatmaps shown for your wireless network. Use the drop-down menu in the lower toolbar to choose between Signal Level, Signal-to-Noise Ratio Noise Level and other Wi-Fi monitoring visualizations.

You can export data in multiple formats (CSV, PDF, etc.), enabling seamless reporting and collaboration.

By taking multiple scans over time and saving them as zone’s snapshots (however, the number of snapshots you can create depends on your license), you will be able to steadily monitor your WiFi network coverage. You can detect changes to the network signal and identify new sources of interference. The status of all wireless access points can also be monitored and you can keep an eye on their security settings as well.