Six Basic Steps to Place Your Router for Maximum Wi-Fi Speed

Are you unsatisfied with your Wi-Fi speed despite having purchased the best internet equipment, selected the most famous ISP (Internet Service Provider), and the latest electronic gadgets? If your answer is ‘Yes,’ which is usually the case, then you must evaluate the location of the router at your residence/office. The placement of the router is a significant factor that affects your Wi-Fi speed.

The point of interest is that the router location is ignored most of the times. This point may seem arguable for some folks as in most instances the Wi-Fi router is fixed by the ISP team themselves and is not as per your desire.

Rest assured that the technical team from the service provider usually establishes the connection for you, but doesn’t optimize. However, you can maximize the speed with the selection of optimized location for your router with a few simple steps.

Sharing below a few guidelines that may help you earn that extra perk from your Wi-Fi router.

1. Place the router in the center of your residence:

You will love to know that the signals emerging from the Wi-Fi device aren’t unilateral. Genuinely they are emitted uniformly in all the directions, leaving the router as the center of focus.

The phenomenon here is akin to the “Doppler’s effect,” that we studied in our high school physics. The sound waves move out equally in the directions from the source. Similarly, the signals are broadcast from the source likewise, and here that source is, of course, your router.

With this, you can easily estimate that if the router is placed at a corner of your facility, the half (or more than half) of the Wi-Fi coverage shall go to waste. Besides, it is essential to calculate, where most of your devices are used; naturally, that will locate the best place for your router.

Also, it could be cumbersome in many cases, especially where the Wi-Fi router isn’t tied with the router. You are required in this case to bring in network adapters, or to run a network cable to the connection. This would surely speed up your Wi-Fi coverage.

2. Elevate the position of the router:

Yes, it matters. Considering the resemblance of Wi-Fi signals, i.e., “Doppler’s effect,” the emergence of coverage from the Wi-Fi router is spherical outwards. That is the reason if you place your router at an elevated position, it will provide the most optimum performance.

In case of multiple floors, for instance, two-storied homes, I suggest it be placed at the top of the lower level’s ceiling for best results.

3. Avoid metal contact:

Our concern here is to focus the Wi-Fi speed within the building, whether it be your home or workplace. Fortunately, the building materials like wood and glass do not offer much resistance to the flow of Wi-Fi signals.

Thick materials like bricks/concrete have a resistive impact on the coverage, albeit not that significant. But the worst disruption is caused by metal objects. It’s essential to keep the router away from metal made items, including your appliances if they have a metal base.

4. Avoid interference: 

Interference is caused by other electronic devices in the vicinity of your router, especially microwaves. It’s essential to recognize the fact that most of the electronic devices operate at 2.4 GHz band, which is genuinely the same as your router does. This, of course, impedes the flow of Wi-Fi signals, similar to a traffic jam.

To overcome interference you have to two options. First, you can switch to a 5 GHz band Wi-Fi service, this will surely serve you far better. Although it’s not readily available. The second option is to maintain a considerable distance of 5 to 6 feet between the routers and other electronic items, and this solution is more convenient.

According to some, water may also affect the Wi-Fi speed, as it’s denser than air. With this considered, it’s better to take into account the water dispensers and aquariums in proximity to the router and keep a noticeable distance between them. 

5. Manipulation of antennas:

This is not possible in all the cases, as there are some routers available in the market without antennas. But if you have one with antennas, you can easily manipulate their direction by positioning them perpendicular to each other. This enhances the capability of the router to provide better speed.

6. Investigate the signal strength manually:

If you are done with the above steps, you can carry a mobile/laptop device in your hand, and move around at your place to locate the best spot for the router. Tangibly adjust the best fit for your router as per the coverage strength indicated by your device.

These steps, if taken effectively, can help you find the optimized location for your Wi-Fi router, offering the best possible speed for your daily needs.

Written by: Engr. Muhammad Masood Riaz