5 deadly mistakes when placing Wi-Fi routers that make the network slow as a turtle

In the digital age, Wi-Fi has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. From work, study to entertainment, Wi-Fi plays a pivotal role in connecting us to the online world.

However, not everyone knows how to optimize their Wi-Fi performance. One of the most important factors that affects Wi-Fi quality is the location of the router.

Placing your router in the wrong location can lead to weak signals, slow speeds, and unstable connections. This article will help you identify 5 places to avoid when placing your Wi-Fi router, thereby optimizing your home or office Wi-Fi network.

1.Place the router on the floor

Where you place your Wi-Fi router can have a significant impact on the quality of your connection. Placing it on the floor won't completely eliminate your signal, but it will not perform optimally.

Imagine the router as a light bulb that lights up a room. If placed on the ground, the light will be obscured by furniture and walls, limiting the range of illumination.

On the contrary, if placed on a high table or shelf, the light can spread evenly throughout the space. The same goes for Wi-Fi routers, when placed high up, it helps you receive a stronger Wi-Fi signal.

However, mounting your router directly to the wall isn't the best option. Walls can weaken or block the signal, making your Wi-Fi less effective.

Instead, place the router on an open surface, about 30cm away from the wall to ensure the signal is not blocked and can best spread throughout your space.

2.Place the router behind the sofa

If you’re looking for a “neat” spot for your router in your living room, you might consider placing it behind the sofa. It might seem convenient, but this is a bad idea, just like placing the router against the wall or on the floor.

Technology experts say that users should minimize the number of hard obstacles that Wi-Fi signals must pass through.

While a sofa isn't as dense as a wall, it can still weaken your Wi-Fi signal, causing your connection speed to drop significantly. To ensure a strong and stable signal, choose a location that's well-ventilated and not blocked by large furniture.

3. Place the router in the basement

Some people hate the look of their router so much that they hide it in the basement. However, this is a big mistake in setting up a home network. The most important rule is to put the router where you use the internet the most, and obviously, that is not the basement.

In addition to poor coverage, basements can also be a source of Wi-Fi interference. For example, fluorescent lighting, electrical wiring, or copper piping on the ground floor can all significantly impact the quality of your connection.

So, if you want strong and stable Wi-Fi signal, place the router in a central, open location, not in a hidden place like the basement.

4.Place the router inside the cabinet

Hiding your router in a closet may seem like a neat way to keep your space organized, but it’s a big mistake. Not only does it degrade your Wi-Fi signal, but placing your router in a closed space can also cause it to overheat, affecting its performance and lifespan.

There have been unfortunate cases in the past. A woman in Florida (USA) said her house burned down in a fire that may have been caused by a Wi-Fi router.

While this is a rare occurrence, the more common risk is that your router will eventually degrade due to poor cooling, or even automatically shut down if it overheats. To ensure performance and longevity, keep your router in a well-ventilated area, rather than hiding it in a closet.

5.Place the Wi-Fi router closeanother router

Wi-Fi operates on its own radio frequency band, and any device broadcasting on the same band can cause interference, including other routers. Receiving devices like TVs or smart speakers won't affect your Wi-Fi, but if you have multiple routers or network gateways in close proximity, you might run into problems.

This doesn't apply to mesh Wi-Fi systems, which are designed to use multiple routers at once to extend coverage. However, if you have multiple individual routers that aren't part of the same system, they can interfere with each other.

If you want to improve your Wi-Fi signal, choose a Mesh Wi-Fi system or upgrade your router instead of placing multiple individual routers close together.

So where should you place your router for the best signal?

Choose a central location in the house

For optimal Wi-Fi coverage, your router should be placed in the center of your home, rather than in a corner or against a wall. This helps to distribute the signal evenly throughout the space, rather than having a strong signal in one area and weak signals in others.

Place the router in a high, airy place

The router should be placed at least 1–1.5 meters above the ground to avoid signal absorption or obstruction by floors and low furniture. It is best to place it on a shelf or table, avoid placing it directly on the floor.

Avoid obstacles and interference devices

For Wi-Fi to work effectively, keep an open space around the router, avoid placing it too close to objects such as thick walls, wooden cabinets, tempered glass, especially avoid electronic devices such as microwaves, TVs, Bluetooth speakers...

Solution to hide router without affecting signal

If you don’t want to see your router, you can place it in a wicker basket, plastic box, or open shelf to help keep the space tidy while still ensuring signal flow. Avoid using a metal box, as metal can block and interfere with Wi-Fi.

If you are having problems with slow Wi-Fi, check your router location immediately. Don't forget to share this article to help your friends and family have smoother internet connections.

Phan Van Hoa