Boost Your MikroTik WiFi Range: Auto-Adjust Signal with This Simple Script

Want a stronger WiFi signal during the day but a more secure, cooler-running router at night? Most people leave their MikroTik power settings on “auto,” but with a little RouterOS scripting, you can automate your TX Power to work harder only when you need it.

Watch the full video walkthrough over at the NetAdminHub YouTube channel!

Here’s how to boost your range and protect your hardware in under five minutes.

Why Adjust Your TX Power?

Hardware Longevity: Cranking your router to 30 dBm 24/7 generates massive heat. Lowering it at night lets the components “rest.”

WiFi Security: Reducing your signal footprint at night prevents your WiFi from “leaking” into the street, making it a harder target for wardriving.

Efficiency: A “cleaner” signal is often better than a “louder” one.

Step 1: Prep Your Interface

First, you need to tell MikroTik you want manual control. Run this in your terminal (replace wlan1 with your interface name):

/interface wireless set wlan1 tx-power-mode=all-rates-fixed

Step 2: Create the Automation Scripts

We’ll create two scripts: “Boost” for work hours and “Eco” for the evening. Go to System > Scripts and add these:

Script 1: wifi_boost (Set to 25 dBm)

/interface wireless set wlan1 tx-power=25

Script 2: wifi_eco (Set to 12 dBm)

/interface wireless set wlan1 tx-power=12

Pro Tip: Don’t go above 25-27 dBm. Pushing it to the max (30 dBm) often introduces “noise” that actually slows down your speeds and risks hardware failure.

Step 3: Set the Schedule

Now, let’s automate it. Go to System > Scheduler and add two entries:

1. Work Start (09:00:00):
   • Name: Start_Boost
   • On Event: /system script run wifi_boost
2. Work End (17:00:00):
   • Name: Start_Eco
   • On Event: /system script run wifi_eco

Summary Table for Quick Setup