It’s perfectly fine if you’d prefer to hide your Wi-Fi router behind the sofa, beneath a bookcase, or (gosh) even within a cupboard. They’re not typically known for their stylish designs.
Although these concealed spots will hide the bulky-looking device from view, they'll also make it significantly more difficult to access. Wi-Fi router to do its job.
“The main factor you have to consider is that Wi-Fi travels very well over open air, and it travels very poorly through hard material,” said Julian, a technician with ThoseTechGuys In Renton, Washington, they suggest positioning a router centrally in an open area, free from obstructions such as cabinets, kitchens, plumbing fixtures, walls, and similar elements.
Typically, you ought to place your router in a central spot within your house where visibility isn’t an issue. Minimizing obstacles near the router enhances your signal strength. Avoid these common mistakes during your router setup.
Read more: Here's How Much Cash I've Lost by Leasing a Router for Half a Decade
Error 1: On the floor
Placing your router on the floor won't entirely eliminate your signal, but it certainly won't improve it either. maximizing it , definitely not. Consider your router similar to a light bulb. The aim is for it to illuminate as wide an area as possible. Placing a lamp on the floor will offer some illumination, yet not as much as positioning it on a table would.
Radio waves typically send their strongest signals downward, so placing your router in an elevated position will maximize your coverage. You can find wall mounts On Amazon, however, I don't suggest their method — mounting your router against a wall can significantly obstruct its signal. Rather, consider positioning it on a table or shelf, preferably about a foot away from any walls.
Error 2: Hiding behind the couch
When searching for an optimal spot for your router in the living room, the couch may seem like a practical choice to conceal it. However, this is not advisable due to similar reasons why placing it directly next to a wall or the floor would be ineffective.
"You should try to minimize the number of solid materials the Wi-Fi signal has to pass through," Julian explained.
A sofa or recliner could diminish your Wi-Fi signal less significantly than a solid barrier like a wall, yet they can still reduce its strength.
Error 3: Within the basement
Many individuals find their routers aesthetically displeasing and prefer hiding them in the basement. However, this goes against a key principle of home networking: position your router where it will be used most frequently — which is typically not in the basement. Additionally, basements often contain numerous objects capable of interfering with Wi-Fi signals.
"There’s significantly more noise down in the basement," stated David Maxey, who is a senior technician at an IT support firm. NerdsToGo in Bellevue, Washington If there are fluorescent lights, electrical wiring, or copper pipes in your basement, they will certainly have an impact.
Error 4: Inside cabinets
A cabinet may appear as a smart way to hide an unattractive router; however, it represents one of the errors that could potentially harm your device. Besides obstructing the signal, storing a router inside an enclosed area such as a cabinet might lead to overheating issues. This was exemplified by a case involving a woman who experienced this problem. Florida Recently lost her house in a blaze which she claims was started by her Wi-Fi router .
That represents an extreme, worst-case situation. A more probable outcome is that your router will gradually deteriorate due to insufficient ventilation, leading to intermittent total failures.
Issue 5: Close proximity to another Wi-Fi router
"Wi-Fi functions using a specific range of radio waves, which means that any gadget emitting signals within this frequency band can cause interference," Julian explained to me. This encompasses other Wi-Fi devices as well.
Devices such as your TV or smart speaker won't interfere with your Wi-Fi, but issues may arise if you have other gear like routers or gateways. This isn't something that applies to mesh systems , which utilizes several routers connected together to extend a Wi-Fi signal across the entire house.
Why would somebody own several routers when they're not using them as part of a mesh network? This occurs more frequently than one might assume, according to Julian.
People simply aren’t aware," Julian explains. "You begin with one piece of equipment, say a router, but soon find your internet isn't performing up to par. As a result, you end up purchasing an additional gadget." He adds, "This situation arises from ignorance about the fact these devices ought to work together within the same ecosystem.
Where do you think would be the best place for your router?
The best place to put your router It should be placed in an easily accessible area like a central room. Preferably, it needs to be elevated several feet above the floor, ensuring there’s ample clearance around it and away from any walls or bulky items of furniture.
This could be disappointing for folks who have unsightly routers, but you can conceal your router within a wicker basket or plastic crate. Ensure though that the enclosure isn’t made of metal as this may disrupt the Wi-Fi signal.
Initially released on March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
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