Where Should You Place Your WiFi Router?

Router placement has a major impact on WiFi coverage. Even a good router can perform poorly if it is placed in the wrong location.

Place the router as centrally as practical, in an open and preferably elevated position.

Best place for a WiFi router

Ideally:

• near the centre of your home,
• on a shelf or elevated surface,
• in an open area,
• away from large furniture,
• away from metal,
• away from potential interference,
• outside enclosed cabinets.

FAQ

Should a router be inside a cabinet?

It is better to avoid it. A closed cabinet can obstruct the signal and reduce ventilation. Metal cabinets are particularly problematic.

Should the router be placed high?

Generally, yes. A shelf or desk is usually better than the floor.

Should the router be in the centre of the house?

Usually, but not necessarily at the exact geometric centre. The goal is good coverage in the rooms where you need it.

How do walls affect WiFi?

Walls weaken WiFi signals. Reinforced concrete, thick masonry and metal can be particularly challenging.

Router downstairs and WiFi upstairs

In a multi-storey home, one router may not provide reliable coverage on every floor. An additional access point or Mesh system may be a better solution.

Where should you not place a router?

Avoid enclosed cabinets, metal cabinets, the floor, large furniture, large metal objects and heavily obstructed spaces.

Router or Mesh?

If moving the router does not solve the problem, consider an additional access point or Mesh system.

Several well-positioned WiFi points can be more effective than one very powerful router.