Wait, I Put My Router WHERE? 4 Ways to Improve your Home Wi-Fi Signal
You’d be shocked at how many “Wi-Fi” problems aren’t actually problems with the Wi-Fi (or the ISP, and we’re not just trying to save face). Many times, the key problem is in fact a Router problem – a Router placement problem, to be exact.
Unlike Calculus, humans tend to keep and apply many of the skills they pick up in early childhood development. Some humans, however, take this a step further, and integrate elements of “hide and seek” within their Router setup thought process. We’ve seen them behind TV’s, inside cupboards, on top of microwaves and next to the fridge. More often than not, people play “Where’s Wally” with their shiny new device, only to act shocked when it works like it’s on a National Shutdown.
Fact is, Router placement directly impacts signal strength, speed, and connection quality. So, before blaming your friendly neighbourhood ISP, let’s make sure we’ve covered the basics.
The Problem:
Think of Wi-Fi as a radio signal, meaning it travels through the air but gets weaker on impact. Walls, furniture, distance, and other interruptions act like virtual speedbumps. Even the best package and speed can still experience buffering, lag, and dead zones due to poor choice of placement.
If you’ve noticed signal = great in one room and “home affairs” in the next, it’s probably a placement issue.
First, the Quick Fixes: Here’s our guide to proper placement:
- Place it in a central location:
Try and stay as close to the centre of the home as possible. Usually, sticking it in one corner means the signal has to work twice as hard to reach distant corners.
- Keep it elevated:
Statistics show that performance is increased when devices are placed higher up. Whether on a shelf, desk, or mounted, avoid the floor. Remember that signal spreads outward, not downward, so the higher the better.
- Keep it open:
This isn’t your best China, so there’s no need to stash it in the glass cabinet with a single mystery key. Routers need space to broadcast effectively. Our motto? Function > form; meaning if it looks neater but doesn’t work, it’s not worth it.
- Size matters:
Everything from mirrors to concrete, thick walls to your favourite couch can negatively impact your signal. The greater the obstacles, the weaker the connection. Not all walls were created equal either. Whereas drywall is one story, solid brick is another ball game. The more barriers your signal has to pass through, the tougher time you’re in for when it’s time to connect. Hence why the device which worked perfectly in your apartment is suddenly JD Vance once you upscale. Bet the agent didn’t mention that one (they never do).
This doesn’t seem like rocket science, but we swear by it. Sometimes, small fixes make big impacts.
Now, here’s what to avoid:
(because, truthfully, some locations should be a war crime):
Avoid the following like the plague:
- Inside anything: cupboards, chest of drawers, toy boxes (it happens), even the TV cabinet
- On top of, behind, or next to key appliances like TV’s or radios.
- On the floor. At all. Just don’t do it.
- In the garage, or the distant corner of Mordor.
- Near bases (think phones, wireless chargers, PS5’s)
If your router is hidden behind décor like it’s part of the furniture, that may be exactly why your Wi-Fi is struggling
Also note that certain devices can drastically impact Wi-Fi quality. These include microwaves, baby monitors, and even some Bluetooth devices (of course, the Air Fryer is exempt – because when is it not?). Whilst it doesn’t mean that your kitchen is a Wi-Fi no-go zone, it DOES mean that you should apply a bit of Social Distancing between your Router and the next big lump.
What happens when placement isn’t the only problem?
Sometimes, it’s not a matter of where the Router is, but rather where the Router is expected to encompass. Many users experience poor coverage in:
- Multi-storey homes
- Complicated layouts
- Rooms far away from the living area
- Lots of walls. It’s a thing.
If that’s the case, one tiny router can’t be expected to cover the entirety of Buckingham Palace; and your Royal needs might necessitate investing in Mesh or an Extender.
If you’ve noticed:
- Strong Wi-Fi in some rooms, but weak in others
- Internet only buffers in certain bedrooms
- Video calls cut once you hit a dead zone
- Speed is fine when you “switch it on and off” but dies when you sit down again
You may need to relocate (the device that is) or invest in a solution that broadens your covered.
Many users assume that poor Wi-Fi = poor Internet. However, the issue is often simultaneously simpler, yet more complex. So, before letting an inanimate object rage-bait you, ask yourself where your device is placed and whether you should consider moving it.
Because, sometimes, better Wi-Fi doesn’t involve a bigger package – all it takes is proper placement.
