The Secret Trick That Solves Your Home Wi-Fi Problems

Whether you’re playing your favorite multiplayer game or just trying to sit through a Zoom call without lag, you know how important a strong internet connection can be. Lightning-fast connectivity is practically required for almost everything these days, whether you’re chilling alone or working. And let’s not forget installation of smart home devices or broadcasts our favorite shows.

If you’ve already upgraded your speed with your ISP and followed a few simple steps to improve your connection, but continue to experience buffering issues, you may see a big improvement by moving your router. Here it is! Yes, something as simple as relocating your technology can mean better connectivity.

So whether you’re hanging out with friends or watching a lot of movies with your family, keep reading to learn about the best place for your router in your home and other easy tips for faster Wi-Fi. A trusted relationship will help you make sure everything that happens goes off without a hitch.

You can also check out our selections the best Wi-Fi 6 routersthe best mesh routers and best wifi extenders. (Check if you have a mesh router our guide to where and how to set up correctly too.

Choose the right router for your location

First things first: you can track down many connectivity issues on your hardware. It all starts with choosing the right router. Not all routers are the same, and how fast your wireless speed is often depends on the size and location of your home.

One wireless access point should be sufficient for most apartments and smaller homes (less than 1,500 square feet). If your router is a few years old, consider upgrading it Newer model with 802.11ax supportor Wi-Fi 6. It’s not the latest and greatest generation of Wi-Fi technology — it would be Wi-Fi 7 — but it’s newer than what most people have at home, and should give you faster wireless speeds and better overall coverage.

It is worth considering building a house for larger, multi-level homes upgrade to a mesh network offering consistent coverage throughout the home. If you install a primary access point and find that a remote corner of your home doesn’t have solid wireless coverage, add another node to that area. Problem solved.

Meet us to learn more list of the best mesh routers of the year (is our best choice TP-Link Deco W7200currently $209 at Walmart). If you need further guidance, please consult us router buying guide.

It’s worth noting that whether you have a single access point or a mesh network, it still matters where you place the primary access point.

What is the best place to put your router?

When you first move into a new house or apartment, the modem is usually installed along the wall in one of the remote areas of the house. This is because that’s where the line enters the house, and the technician’s job is to make the connection – not optimize your network. This part is up to you.

It’s tempting to leave everything the technician installed, especially if you’re feeling clueless about the best place to place your router. The original location is unlikely to be the optimal location for your router.

Choose a central location

Routers send the signal in all directions. If you keep your router in the left corner of the house, you lose wireless coverage and if your neighbors can guess your Wi-Fi passwordthey can easily access your network. Moving the router to a central location is the best option for consistent speeds (and network security).

It can be difficult to install a router from a modem all over the house. It may require manually running a particularly long Ethernet cable under the floor or along the bottom of your walls, or enlisting the help of powerline network adapters, which use your home’s electrical wiring to transmit the Internet signal from point to point. The improved wireless coverage will be worth it. If you are interested in the difference between a Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivityCNET’s Hallie Seltzer tested both connections at home to determine which worked better.

Lift the router

Routers tend to radiate their strongest signals downward, so it’s best to mount the router as high as possible to maximize coverage. Try placing it on or above a bookshelf install on the wall.

Search online and you will find many custom wall mounts built for specific routers this rod assembly for Eero Pro 6 mesh router. If you’re struggling to find a high place for your router without messy cords, a router mount is an easy solution.

Avoid other electronics

Choose a location away from other electronics and large metal objects. The more walls, large obstacles, and electronics near your router, the more likely it is that something will interfere with your signal strength.

A particular type of electronic device to avoid is a microwave that emits a strong signal in the 2.4 GHz band, the same wireless band that your router operates on. Be careful not to stick your router behind a large TV, which can cause electronic interference. physically blocks or disrupts the signal.

Along with electronics, watch out for bulky furniture and the like that can limit signal reach. Wi-Fi does not travel well in water, for example, so if you have an aquarium at home, try to avoid situations where it will be between your router and the device it needs to connect to.

How to build Wi-Fi antennas

Some routers have no antenna at all, while others have up to eight. These antennas help to redirect the signal. If your router has two or more antennas, do not place them all in the same direction.

Instead, make them perpendicular to each other – one horizontally and one vertically. Or slightly reposition all antennas to cover wide angles. You may have to testing with speed tests to find the most effective configuration.

The signal from each of these antennas will come out as a wave traveling in all directions and this wave will be perpendicular to the antenna itself, so a vertical antenna will be more useful in single-storey houses, while a horizontal or angled antenna will produce a signal traveling upwards, in a multi-storey house may be more useful.

Map your Wi-Fi signal

In worst-case scenarios, you may need to map your home Wi-Fi signal to find dead zones and analyze coverage. A few years ago we used NetSpot software to determine the signal strength Throughout CNET Smart Home. Finally, we got a great look at the weak spots in our Wi-Fi network, which helped us improve things by moving our devices to more optimal locations.

Be sure to check it out if you’re considering upgrading your router CNET’s picks for the best routers. Be sure for homes with children examine your router’s parental controls.