Start from the center

To ensure proper signal coverage, place the router near the center of the house. Since Wi-Fi radiates in all directions, this arrangement will reduce the number of “dead zones” caused by distance or thick walls. If some areas still remain without signal, you can always add a repeater that will receive the Internet from the source and distribute it through the second router.

Place the router as high as possible

Installing the router in a high location (for example, on a shelf or under the ceiling) minimizes interference between the access point and your devices. This rule works by analogy with tall signal towers that increase signal propagation.

Consider the location of the cable from the provider

If your ISP connects the WAN cable directly to the router, plan the layout so you don’t have to run cables from one end of the room to the other. If your router is in the middle of the living room, this may mean that the cable needs to be hidden or routed around corners and walls.

Pay more attention to windows. Having a window near the router means you can route as much of the WAN cable from the ISP as possible outside your home and only use the length you need inside. In this way, you minimize the possibility of damage that may occur, for example, as a result of constantly walking on the wire or getting the wire stuck in the door.

Watch out for obstacles

Electrical devices such as microwave ovens, baby monitors or wireless cameras can negatively affect the Wi-Fi signal. This is especially true for older router models. Avoid placing the router near kitchen appliances or electronic devices that may cause interference.

Check signal before installation

If you think you’ve found the perfect spot for your Wi-Fi router, pull out your phone and set it up. Wi-Fi AnalyzerIf you are using Android or nSurveillance WiFi Analyzer if you are using iOS and just walking around the house. These apps can report Wi-Fi signal strength in real time, much more accurately than your phone or computer would normally display.

Checking the signal before final installation ensures that you have covered all corners of the house before completely setting up the router. This can save you from unnecessary drilling or having to move an already installed router.

Move the antennas

The angle of the router’s antennas can affect the quality of the Wi-Fi signal. This is because antennas create radio waves of a certain shape, and the correct configuration will help cover the area better.

How the direction of antennas affects the signal:

• vertical antennas. If the antennas are oriented vertically, the signal spreads horizontally; This is ideal for single-storey rooms.
• horizontal antennas. If the antennas are oriented horizontally, the signal will better cover rooms on different floors, since the radio waves are directed vertically.
• A complicated setup. If your router has more than one antenna, try placing one vertically and the other at an angle or horizontally. This will help improve coverage on devices using antennas in different planes and in different directions.