‘Where is the best place to put my Wi-Fi router?’

Is your Wi-Fi router in the wrong place? 

If you’re having issues with your Wi-Fi and can’t figure out what the problem is, one potential problem could be where your router is in your home. 

You would be surprised how many people have their Wi-Fi router somewhere that could cause slow Wi-Fi, internet blackspots and maybe even no connection whatsoever! 

Is your Wi-Fi router in one of these 3 worst places? 

When the internet isn’t working properly, it’s really noticeable. Like when there’s a power cut or no hot water – We’re all very used to this utility just always being there in the background.

And when it’s not working properly, it’s hugely frustrating. Whether you’re on a Zoom call for work and the screen keeps freezing, or you’re trying to binge watch your favourite Netflix show and it keeps buffering in the best bits – Slow, unreliable internet can make things stressful. 

But what if your dodgy connection is purely down to the location of your Wi-Fi router? If that’s the case then you’re in luck – It’s an easy fix! 

These are some of the worst places to put your router that could be suppressing your internet signal:

In the kitchen

The kitchen is full of appliances that could cause interference to your Wi-Fi like the microwave, so it’s a big no-no to place your router in this room. Things made of metal or containing water can cause significant issues with Wi-Fi signal, and you’re likely to find lots of these offending items in the kitchen area. 

Too low down

Putting your router too low down means that the signal it’s transmitting may not reach users’ devices effectively. 

Cramped space

Be honest – Is your router tucked away somewhere, like a cupboard or hidden behind things? We do understand that routers aren’t always the prettiest of things, and might be in-keeping with the design aesthetic of your home. But hiding it away in a cupboard or burying it under other things could well be the cause of your Wi-Fi woes. 

Where should I put my Wi-Fi router?

We’ve told you where not to put it – Let’s take a look at where your Wi-Fi router is going to work to the best of its ability. 

Place your router in a central location, out in the open 

Consider which room(s) you use the internet the most, or where you need the connection to be the strongest. If you work from home, do you have a home office? Where do you stream films or TV shows? Do you have online gamers in your home? 

The general rule of thumb is to place your router somewhere central to your home in an open space – That way you’ll stand the best chance of your Wi-Fi signal spreading throughout your home and reaching everywhere you need it to go. The further away you are from the router, the more signal strength is lost.

If your home office is outside at the bottom of the garden and getting the Wi-Fi out there is a bit of a stretch, you might like to have a read of our blog ‘How do I get Wi-Fi in my garden?’ which we wrote back in lockdown. 

Place your router high up 

You’ll find that your Wi-Fi signal is better the higher up your router is. If possible, install your router approximately 5- 7 feet off the ground. 

Somewhere like a high shelf could work well – But remember it needs to be plugged in and should also be away from windows. 

Your router emits signal out and down, so placing it up high should improve your signal range. 

Place your router away from thick building materials like brick, plywood and sheetrock

Certain types of building material like brick, plywood and sheetrock can hinder your Wi-Fi if you place your router too close to them. Try and avoid putting your router in a location where these materials could cause interference. 

Utilise available hardware and software

If, despite your best efforts, your Wi-Fi still isn’t quite reaching one area of your house then you could consider getting a booster to help you out. 

Also make sure that you keep up to date with software updates so your router is able to work at its optimum effectiveness.

Keep your Wi-Fi secure

Is your Wi-Fi password protected? Don’t just let all your neighbours and anyone passing by gain access to your Wi-Fi. Not only does this put your personal data at risk, it will also make everything slower! 

The more devices that are connected to your router, the slower the connection will be. Odds are you’ve already got a multitude of connected devices in your home as it is – You don’t need the neighbours’ devices too! 

Get in Touch

If moving your router to a new location doesn’t fix your Wi-Fi woes then have a look at some of our other blogs – We’ve got a lots of info on Wi-Fi problems and how to fix them.

For help with business Wi-Fi, large homes or rural internet please do give our Wi-Fi experts a call. We operate out of Hampshire, London and Cardiff covering the South of England.

4G Broadband – The Answer to Your Rural Wi-Fi Woes?

Over the last year, we’ve been inundated with requests from people looking for a different and more reliable source of broadband service.

Many people are moving out of London into more rural areas and expecting the same internet connectivity as they would have in urban areas.

They soon realise that many parts of the countryside are suffering from a broadband deficit and there’s a connectivity imbalance across the countryside.

We’ve installed countless numbers of external 4G antennas and routers, effectively replacing the broadband through the telephone cable, with a data SIM card.

This simple solution has meant that people who couldn’t Zoom for work at home now can, children can do their schooling online through Google classroom and Teams, and the dreaded buffering of Netflix binging no longer happens.

Not only is this solution perfect for those at home, but it works excellently for temporary offices too, such as those in construction, archaeology and film and TV work.

We thought we would share a couple of case studies from some recent 4G installations that have seen a hugely positive affect on their connectivity since making the switch.

 

Case Study – A Rural Home in Bishops Waltham

Wi-Fi Issue: This charming rural home in Bishops Waltham struggled with only 2-3mb download speed and 0.5mb upload speed through their BT Openreach line. As the Director of a large London bank, this unreliable connection meant she couldn’t work from home.

Our 4G Broadband Solution: We installed a 4G antenna and router, and she’s now getting perfect 60mb download speeds with 20mb upload speeds. This means she then didn’t have to travel into London so often.

Case Study – A Garden Landscaping Company in New Alresford

Wi-Fi Issue: This garden landscaping company recently moved their office to a rural location without any internet or traditional phone line. Their new office was a converted shipping container which, as it is made of metal, meant that their phones wouldn’t work quite so well for internet speed.

Our 4G Broadband Solution: Our 4G external antenna solution means they now get 40mb download and 20mb upload speeds within their new office.

Case Study – A Large Metalwork Company in Rural Dorset

Wi-Fi Issue – This metalwork company was having trouble with 3-5mb download speeds and less than 1mb upload speeds. This was the maximum possible speed in their area. Having asked  BT Openreach to extend fibre to their premises, they found out it would not only have cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds, but also ruined a beautiful part of the countryside. (If you watch The Crown you may well have seen it!) The poor internet connection meant that contacting their London based clients over Zoom was very difficult, and often required them to do so from their home instead or office.

Our 4G Broadband Solution: Using our 4G router and external antenna, they now receive 70mb download speeds and 30mb upload speeds. This means they can now easily maintain contact with their clients without having to travel back to their homes for a good quality Zoom call. It also means they can employ more people onsite and increase employment in the local community without moving their office to a larger town.

 

If any of these problems seem familiar to you, whether it’s your home connection or business, perhaps now is the time to get in touch and let us see if we can help.

These 3 examples are just a handful of the successes we’ve seen from clients moving from a slow BT Openreach connection to a faster 4G broadband option.

 

How can you be sure that 4G broadband is the right option for you?

It’s okay to feel nervous, we understand how frustrating a slow connection can be. We can come and assess your property to see whether a 4G broadband option would be viable for you with our new 4G antenna testing pole. This bit of kit means we can get an accurate representation of how our 4G routers and eternal antennas can solve your broadband connectivity problems.

For more information on our 4G broadband service, head to our website. You can also get in touch with one of our Wi-Fi experts who will be happy to discuss your requirements.

 

Don’t let a slow BT Openreach connection hold you back. Whether it’s for Zoom calls to keep in touch with colleagues, WhatsApp video calls with friends and family, or nightly Netflix binges – You deserve a connection that doesn’t freeze, buffer or drop. Call in the Wi-Fi Experts today.