Where to Place your Router to Get Maximum WiFi Speed and Range

wifi_router

At some point, we all are always cribbing about our internet speed. WiFi coverage is something that not everyone takes seriously. It may be very easy to say that a new router or an added piece of equipment will solve all our wireless problems, but that’s not the only cause. It may be slightly true, but not entirely. A new mesh router, a WiFi extender, or even WiFi Super Boost is an option that will give you better performance as it can then play a supporting role.

In most cases, the best way is to get rid of something called dead spots. It is always good to enjoy better connectivity from something that’s not a hardware issue, but simply a new position for the router that you already have.

A wireless router is nothing but a physical device that emits signals. Which is why the better located it is in relation to your wireless devices, the better it serves them. The basics of knowing how radio signals work will help you work out the most frequent causes of bad signals and poor coverage.

Let’s discuss a few ways to find the best spot for the router such that a wider area of your home is covered. The sole focus will be on eliminating sources of interference and finding an optimal position for your router. You can rest assured that you will get the best performance once you follow the steps we share here.

Put it in a central location 

A WiFi router is like a river that sends ripples (of signals) in all directions, so if you place it at a central location then you are more likely to have better coverage without any add-ons. In case you have placed it in a far corner of your home, then you are more likely to get broken signals. 

Place it at a higher position 

A WiFi base station basically transfers waves in a two-dimensional form, which means they are transmitted both vertically and horizontally. The example of a river and the ripples that are created is a good way to visualize this, but think of the ripples going outwards in every direction, not just horizontal. A similar effect is created in a router. When the router is placed at a good height, it ensures maximum reach for the signal. Where you have a two-floor building, try to place the router near the ceiling of the ground floor, or even near the top of the stairs. 

Avoid walls and stay away from windows

WiFi stations transmit nothing but radio waves. These waves actually travel best when in the open. The best situation for them is when you have a direct line of sight between your device and the router at all the times. As they say: “One WiFi impediment you might not have thought of is water. Water is much denser than air, so keep your router away from that aquarium”. Understand that if your house is made of wood or has a lot of glass, then there is no problem; but if your home is full of concrete or brick, then these radiation-sucking materials will absorb everything. In that case, you may need an extender.

Clear the obstacles

As we have already said, if there is a material that absorbs the signals, you can apply the line of sight rule. But if it is a steel desk, a refrigerator or water heater in your basement, these large metal objects will create dead zones. If your router is right next to some metal object, then a dead zone might have already been created. There are several places such as a hidden metal scrap or a wood veneer that has metal in it that can cause signal weakness or dead zones.

Avoid interference and noise 

Most devices today come with a 2.4 Ghz wireless band and they are capable enough to emit waves or signals to far off places. A good number of devices at your home share the same airwaves, and if you live in a crowded apartment building then your signal isn’t going to be “clean”. If your router offers 5 Ghz coverage then you can consider switching just for that. Other devices emit a lot of waves, which can cause interference to your WiFi signals.

Repositioning the antennas 

This may seem a very easy fix but it plays a very important role in case you have trouble receiving signals. Point the antenna(e) to where the most devices are being used so you get optimal coverage. There is not much you can do apart from repositioning the antennas. In the end, all you care about is for the IP address to take you to the router’s default address page so you can access the web.

Read more about your router’s configuration and router login IP address at 10-0-0-0-1.org