What’s the Best Place to Put Your WiFi Router?
 

Getting fast, reliable Internet isn’t just about how much you pay your provider. In fact, one of the most overlooked yet impactful factors is where you put your router.

Proper placement can mean the difference between seamless streaming in every room and buffering halfway through a Zoom call. Whether you're in a sprawling two-story house or a cozy apartment, knowing the best place to install your WiFi router can make a dramatic difference in your connection quality. router can make a dramatic difference in your connection quality.

With that in mind, let’s explore how router location affects performance, where the best spots usually are, and how you can make the most of your Internet setup.
 

How Location Impacts Router Speed

Your WiFi router is the heartbeat of your home Internet network. It sends signals out like invisible ripples in a pond, allowing devices to quickly and wirelessly connect.

But those signals can be blocked, absorbed, or distorted by walls, furniture, appliances, and even people. WiFi signals, particularly on the 5 GHz band, degrade over distance and when they encounter obstacles like concrete, brick, or metal.

For example, if your router is tucked in a corner behind a TV and next to a bunch of cables, its signal has to fight its way out (and signals trying to get to the router have to fight their way in). That interference can cause lags, dropped signals, and lower download speeds, even if your service plan is top tier.

So while your ISP might be delivering 500 Mbps, your actual experience could feel more like 50 Mbps if the router is poorly placed. In short, even a great Internet plan can't perform at its best if your router is in the wrong spot.
 

What’s the Best Location for a WiFi Router?

There’s no universal “best” spot for a router – every home is unique in layout, building materials, and usage patterns. That said, most optimal locations share a few common characteristics. If you're trying to upgrade your WiFi experience without spending a dime, relocating your router is a solid first step.
 

Central Spots

WiFi signals radiate outward in all directions, so placing your router in a central location maximizes its reach. Think of your home like a circle and your router like a lightbulb: the closer the bulb is to the middle, the more evenly the light (or signal) spreads.

If your router is currently at one end of your house or tucked in a closet by the modem, you may be leaving half your home in a coverage dead zone. Try moving it closer to the center of your home, even if it means running a longer cable. It’s usually worth the effort.
 

Away from Walls

Walls – especially those made of brick, concrete, or stone – are major signal blockers. Every barrier a router signal passes through weakens it, so the more walls between your router and your devices, the worse your connection can get.

That means the best location for a router is away from walls whenever possible. Avoid corners and keep it in an open space where the signal can travel freely. If walls are unavoidable, aim to position the router near doorways or in rooms made of thinner materials, such as drywall.
 

Away from Other Electronics

Microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, Bluetooth and smart home devices, and even some older TVs emit electromagnetic interference that can mess with your WiFi. This is particularly true for the 2.4 GHz band, which shares its frequency with plenty of common household gadgets.

To reduce interference, keep your router away from dense clusters of electronics. If your router is sitting on the entertainment center next to your TV, speakers, and gaming console, try moving it to a quieter, less crowded spot.
 

Elevated Off the Ground

WiFi signals spread out and slightly downward, so putting your router on the floor significantly limits its range. Many users unknowingly compromise their signal by placing routers behind furniture, under desks, or on the ground near outlets.

A good rule of thumb is to place the router at least a few feet off the floor – on a shelf, cabinet, or mounted to a wall if possible. This helps the signal travel more efficiently throughout the space, especially in multi-story homes.
 

What’s the Best Place to Put a WiFi Router in a 2-Story House?

In a two-story home, signal distribution becomes even trickier. WiFi does travel vertically, but it weakens more quickly when passing through floors – and even more so if they’re made with dense materials like concrete or steel-reinforced beams.

The best place for a router in a 2-story building is near the ceiling of the first floor or on the floor of the second floor, as close to the center of your home as possible. This position lets the signal reach both levels with fewer obstacles in the way.

If the house is particularly large or has thick walls, you might consider using a mesh WiFi system or strategically placed extenders to ensure full coverage. But even before investing in additional gear, relocating the router to this vertically central spot can make a noticeable difference. to ensure full coverage. But even before investing in additional gear, relocating the router to this vertically central spot can make a noticeable difference.
 

Can You Move Your Router to Another Room?

Technically, yes – but it depends on how your home is wired. Your router needs to connect to your modem, which in turn connects to a coaxial cable or fiber line from your ISP. If you only have one of these wall jacks in your home, that limits how far the router can travel without adding cables or using special equipment.

If you do want to move your router to a better spot, here are a few options:

• Use a longer Ethernet cable – This is the simplest solution if you're okay with a visible cable running across your home.
• Install additional cable outlets – This is a more permanent (and professional) option that may require a technician.
• Go wireless with a mesh system – If rewiring isn’t feasible, mesh routers provide seamless coverage without needing everything in one place.

Just be sure that wherever you move it, the router still has access to good airflow and minimal interference.
 

Get Internet Worth a Well-Placed Router

You don’t need to be a tech wizard to optimize your home WiFi. Sometimes, a few simple changes in router placement can deliver dramatically better performance. Faster speeds, fewer dropouts, and smoother streaming are all possible – no upgrades or new equipment required.

Of course, you need Internet worth a great router, too. That’s where Shentel can help. With a wide range of high-speed Internet plans at prices you’ll love, we’re ready to help you make the most of your well-placed router. Check out our plans today!