If you have WiFi at home, you must be familiar with routers. The brand, cost, and standards matter significantly along with its placement. In this blog, we are discussing exactly how to find the best location for your router and some optimally suggested spots for the equipment. Let’s dive in!

Why Your Router’s Location Matters

According to Stats, at least 94% of Americans have access to the internet, and 80% of households have a router. That is a lot of people relying on steady internet connections, which is why maximizing your equipment’s potential plays an important role.

Routers activate your signal for authorized devices and without them, not only homes but also small businesses and workspaces might suffer. If it’s placed in a spot with a lot of obstacles, the signal quality and bandwidth are both impacted, leaving users frustrated and unable to perform online activities.  Now that we know how much it matters, let’s talk about choosing the best location for your router.

How to Choose the Best Spots for Your Router

You need to find a spot that’s well-aired and has the least interference from walls, appliances, and other obstructions. Be sure to:

  • Test different spots before installing
  • Align the antenna both vertically and horizontally for optimal coverage
  • Find the latest router firmware to make it adaptable
  • Choose a frequency to go with your tested spots
  • Leave it in an open spot to avoid heating and performance issues
  • Keep it elevated from the reach of children, pets, and machines
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With that being said, let’s explore some of our most and least favorite router spots.

What Are the Best Locations For Your Router?

Best Locations

- Living Rooms

It’s a common spot for everyone to lounge and use the internet. This spot can interact well with surrounding rooms and spaces.

- Central Points

Commonly used spaces that transmit the signals to other nearby zones.

- Near Windows

This emphasizes the concept of open spaces and offers a direct link to the network providers.

- Open and Elevated spots

Away from any individuals and machines so accidents don’t happen and the signal can thrive despite interruptions.

Worst Locations

- Kitchen

Heat, moisture, and appliances are all the least suggested elements existing in one space.

- Floor

This is a disaster waiting to happen. One small mistake and your router can be damaged, plus the reception will be compromised.

- Cabinet

Congested bandwidth and signal issues. Severely discouraged spot.

- Near Electronics

The waves and signals can clash and provide a bad internet experience for every user.

Have the best spots but not the best router? Confirm with this easy guide

We hope you are now better versed on the concept of a router location and the best spots in your space. But remember, even a good router can’t salvage a lousy internet so make sure you have the right internet provider. If you don’t, we have some great options that can be found near you. Call now to learn everything you need.

FAQs

Is it better to place a WiFi router higher or lower?

Higher, since it’s out of reach and can distribute the signals evenly, without any interruptions.

Can Wi-Fi go through walls?

It can, but the thickness of the walls and the router’s frequency may collide. A 2.4 GHz frequency range works best for transmission across walls, whereas the 5 GHz, although faster speeds, has weaker transmisson.

Does router location improve WiFi?

Of course, it does. The idea is to place your router where data transmission isn’t interfered with by humans, waves, electronics, and other obstacles. So make sure you choose the best location for optimal router performance.