Wifi is very useful but can be quite temperamental. However, optimizing it is not so difficult. First of all, this includes the correct placement of the router.
Having a reliable internet connection at home is very important, but Wi-Fi can be very frustrating. Despite usually decent speeds, despite a properly placed and well-configured router, it can happen that you experience connectivity issues in certain areas of your home, or that the speeds in those areas clearly leave something to be desired. This can be especially frustrating if you work from home or want to install connected devices, for example. The good news is that the situation can be easily and quickly corrected.
There are many factors that determine the speed in a given location, but one of the most important is undoubtedly the location of your router. The best place to place it is not necessarily where the technician installed it.
Find the best place according to your accommodation
It all starts with choosing the right router. Not everyone is created equal, the size and layout of your home will determine the type of wireless network you need.
For most apartments and small houses (less than 140 square meters), one wireless access point is sufficient. If your router is older, you may want to consider using a model that is compatible with 802.11ax or Wi-Fi 6. This is the latest generation of Wi-Fi and has the highest possible speed and best coverage.
For larger homes, it’s best to consider building a mesh network to cover all areas. After installing the main hotspot, if you have an area of the house with poor coverage, add a host in that area. Problem solved.
Whatever your decision, the location of the access point itself is important.
Where to place the router?
When you move into a house, the modem is most often on an off-center wall. This is because the phone line is connected here and the technician is just making the connection, not optimizing the network.
It can be tempting to just leave it all there, but that’s often not the best option.
Choose a central location
Routers send a signal in all directions. If it is in the corner of the house, most of the signal will be directed outward. Therefore, it is better to place the router in the center to optimize the signal.
It can be quite tedious, especially when you have to run long Ethernet cables, but the game is clearly worth the effort.
Raise the router
Since routers tend to transmit their strongest signals downstream, it’s in your best interest to position your router as high as possible. Try putting it on a shelf or hanging it on the wall in an inconspicuous place.
Search the internet and you will find ideas and/or accessories to repair your router.
Avoid other electronic devices
Try to find a place away from other electronic devices and large metal objects. The closer devices and walls are to your router, the more interference there will be.
Especially avoid the microwave oven, which emits a strong signal in the 2.4 GHz band that your router uses. Also, do not hide the router behind a large TV, as interference and signal blocking will be of great importance.
Also, don’t leave large pieces of furniture in front. The Wi-Fi signal also has great difficulty when crossing water. If you have an aquarium, don’t miss the signal.
Router antennas are very useful
Some routers do not have antennas, others have up to eight. These antennas direct the signal. If you have them, don’t point them all in the same direction.
Instead, place them perpendicular to each other or at the maximum angle to cover as much space as possible. Feel free to experiment to find the most effective configuration.
The signal leaves the antenna as a wave perpendicular to the antenna itself. A vertical antenna will be more useful in a one-story home, while a horizontal or tilted antenna will send the signal up (and down), which is more useful if you have one or more floors.
Try to match the signal
In the worst case, it can be helpful to display the signal in your home to help identify problem areas. One of the best programs for this is NetSpot. This will allow you to clearly see where you need to boost the signal if needed.