Where Should You Place Your WiFi Router?

WiFi only works as well as the signal can reach. Where you put the router has a big effect on coverage and speed in different rooms. This guide walks through simple placement rules that usually improve things without buying new gear.

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Why Placement Matters

The router sends and receives radio signals. Walls, floors, metal, and distance weaken or block those signals. If the router is in a corner or a closet, or behind something dense, parts of the house get a weak signal—slow speeds, dropouts, or buffering when you’re far from the router. Putting the router in a better spot often fixes more than people expect.

Put It Central (If You Can)

Ideally the router is near the middle of where you use WiFi. That way the signal doesn’t have to go through the whole house from one end. If the modem and router have to stay where the line comes in, that’s okay—you can still improve things by avoiding bad spots and reducing obstacles.

Elevate It

WiFi spreads outward and a bit downward. Putting the router on a shelf or table instead of on the floor helps the signal reach more of the house. Avoid stacking things on top of it so it doesn’t overheat.

Keep It Out in the Open

Walls, especially with metal or pipes, block signal. So do large furniture and appliances. A router stuck in a cabinet, behind a TV, or in a closet is working with a handicap. Out in the open, a few feet from big obstructions, usually works best.

Avoid Interference

Other electronics can interfere with WiFi. Microwaves, baby monitors, and some cordless phones use similar frequencies. If the router is right next to the microwave or a dense cluster of devices, moving it a few feet away can help. Also try to keep it away from metal filing cabinets, mirrors, and aquariums—they can reflect or absorb signal.

Antennas (If It Has Them)

Many routers have antennas. They often work best when they’re not all pointing the same way. One straight up and others at an angle is a common approach. Check the manual for your model; some routers are designed to sit flat with internal antennas.

When Placement Isn’t Enough

If the house is large or has thick walls, one router may not reach everywhere. Options include a mesh system (multiple units that work together), a second router or access point wired back to the main one, or powerline adapters that use your electrical wiring. For many homes, better placement of the existing router is the first and cheapest step. If you’re still not getting a usable signal in key rooms, the next step is improving the setup or the connection itself. Alabama Lightwave delivers fiber-fast performance in its Bibb County service area; when the connection to your home is solid, a well-placed router can make the most of it. Alabama-based installers can advise on equipment during install, and 24×7 real human phone support is there if you run into issues. Check Alabama Lightwave availability to see what’s available at your address.

Practical Tips

1. Map where you use WiFi. Put the router as central as you can to those areas.

2. Test before and after. Run a speed test or walk around with your phone before moving the router, then again after. You’ll see which rooms improved.

3. Don’t hide it for looks alone. A router in a basket or behind a book might look nicer but often hurts signal. Balance looks with a spot that’s open and elevated.

4. Check the modem location too. If the modem is in a bad spot and the router is plugged into it, you may need a longer cable to move the router to a better place while keeping the modem where the line comes in.

5. Restart after moving. After you move the router, unplug it for a minute and plug it back in. Sometimes that clears up odd behavior.

Related Topics

• Buffering — Often tied to weak WiFi or a slow connection.
• Slow internet — Causes and when the problem is the connection, not the router.
• Home internet in Bibb County — What to look for in a plan and provider.

Check What’s Available at Your Address

Good router placement helps. So does a solid connection to your home. Alabama Lightwave offers fiber-fast speeds and dependable performance in its Bibb County service area, with Alabama-based installers and 24×7 real human phone support. Check Alabama Lightwave availability to see what you can get at your address.