Router placement does matter. If you place them correctly, you will have much better signal with far less interference. This best router placement guide will focus on the general physical placement advice. Use the following guidelines and tips to get wifi best signal from the optimal router locations.
The brand of the router does not really matter, may it be linksys, vios, netgear, motorola, or asus. They all use the same technology with the same physical limitations. Your best bet is to always test and find out the best places.
1. Centralize your router or Access Point
Make sure you place the router/access point in the middle of all the devices that you are using. The signal strength from your router is somewhat based on the distance. The central position can allow even distribution to all of your devices.
2. Router Placement High or Low
Try to place the router/access point as high as possible in the room, so the signal gets dispersed throughout your home.
3. Use Repeaters or Extenders to Boost the Range
If you have a two-story home, you should consider to use a repeater to boost the signal to extend the range.
4. Optimal Router Upstairs or downstairs placement in multi story home
2 story home: You want to place the router near the ceiling of the first floor, or the floor of the second floor.
3 story home: Place the router near the center of the second floor.
Place home appliances such as cordless telephones, microwaves, and televisions as far away as possible from the router/access
point.
This would significantly reduce any interference that the appliances might cause since they operate on same frequency.
Security
5. Minimize Number of Walls
Keep the number of walls and ceilings between the router and other network devices to a minimum. This is the main reason why you want to place them in the center of your rooms. The signals have less walls that they have to penetrate.
6. Wall Angle Matters in Router Placement
Always imagine a direct line of sight between your router and the device. A wall that is 0.5 meters thick (1.5 feet), at a 45-degree angle appears to be almost 1 meter (3 feet) thick.
At a 2-degree angle it can act like a 14 meters (42 feet) thick wall! Position devices so that the signal will travel straight through a wall or ceiling (instead of at an angle) for better reception.
7. Wall Building Materials can Affect Wireless Signal
When you are deciding the best place the router. Also consider the type of building material that the signal has to travel through.
Drywall or open doorways are good choices.
Materials and objects such as walls with insulation, glass, brick, concrete, steel, metal, water (fish tanks), mirrors, file cabinets are bad choices for the router placement.
8. Do Not Place Them in Cabinets
Avoid placing the routers in tiny cabinets or storage spaces. They are one additional layer of wall that they have to pass through. The signals can also bounce within the closet spaces which degrades the performance.
9. Electrical Wires and Device and Your Router Location
Keep your router away (at least 3-6 feet or 1-2 meters) from electrical devices or appliances that generate RF noise. Some examples include TV and Phone devices.
In addition, keep your routers from too close to the electrical wiring can also help with the better signal strength.
10. Avoid Conflict with Other Wireless Devices
Certain 2.4GHz cordless phones or X-10 wireless products (such as ceiling fans, lights, and home security systems) use the same frequency as your router. Make sure your 2.4GHz router is as far away from these wireless devices as possible. It should be noted that the phone base transmits a signal even if the phone in not in use.
