Optimal Router Placement

The single most effective way to improve your Wi-Fi signal is proper router placement. Your router's location significantly impacts coverage, speed, and reliability.

Best Practices for Router Placement

Understanding Wi-Fi Channels and Interference

Wi-Fi routers broadcast on specific radio channels. Choosing the right channel can significantly reduce interference from neighboring networks and improve your connection quality.

Wi-Fi Frequency Bands: 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz

Most modern routers are dual-band, meaning they broadcast on two frequency bands:

Feature	2.4GHz Band	5GHz Band
Range	Longer range, better through walls	Shorter range, more affected by obstacles
Speed	Slower maximum speeds	Faster maximum speeds
Congestion	Often crowded (many devices use it)	Less congested (fewer devices use it)
Best for	Basic browsing, email, coverage across home	Streaming, gaming, video calls, devices near router

Finding the Best Channel

Each frequency band is divided into multiple channels. Using the least congested channel can significantly improve performance.

1. For 2.4GHz: Channels 1, 6, and 11 are recommended as they don't overlap with each other.
2. For 5GHz: More channels are available, and they don't overlap, so interference is less common.

How to Change Wi-Fi Channels

1. Access your router's admin interface by typing the router IP address in your browser (typically 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1)
2. Login with your admin credentials (often printed on the router)
3. Look for "Wireless Settings," "Wi-Fi Settings," or similar
4. Find the channel settings for each band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
5. Change from "Auto" to a specific channel number
6. Save changes and wait for your router to restart

Extending Your Wi-Fi Coverage

If you have a larger home or office with areas of weak signal (dead zones), you may need additional hardware to extend your coverage.

Wi-Fi Range Extenders

Range extenders (also called repeaters) capture your existing Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcast it.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive
• Easy to set up
• Work with any router

Cons:

• Cut bandwidth in half (typically)
• Often create separate network names
• May cause latency issues

Mesh Wi-Fi Systems

Mesh systems use multiple nodes that communicate with each other to create a seamless network throughout your home.

Pros:

• Seamless coverage with a single network name
• Automatic connection to strongest node
• Easy management through smartphone apps
• Better performance than extenders

Cons:

• More expensive than extenders
• Usually requires replacing your existing router

Powerline Adapters

Powerline adapters use your home's electrical wiring to extend your network.

How They Work:

1. Connect one adapter to your router with an Ethernet cable and plug it into a wall outlet
2. Plug the second adapter into a wall outlet in the area with poor coverage
3. Connect devices via Wi-Fi (if the adapter has a Wi-Fi function) or Ethernet

Router Settings Optimisation

Many router settings can be adjusted to improve your Wi-Fi performance and coverage.

Update Router Firmware

Router manufacturers regularly release firmware updates that improve performance, security, and stability.

1. Access your router's admin interface
2. Look for "Firmware Update," "Administration," or "System" settings
3. Check for updates and install if available
4. Wait for the router to update and restart

Enable Quality of Service (QoS)

QoS settings allow you to prioritise certain types of traffic or specific devices on your network.

How to Configure QoS:

1. Access your router's admin interface
2. Find "QoS," "Traffic Management," or similar settings
3. Enable QoS and select a configuration method:
   • Device Priority: Prioritise specific devices like work computers
   • Application Priority: Prioritise specific activities like video calls or gaming
   • Automatic: Let the router manage priorities (if available)

Enable Band Steering

Band steering automatically directs devices to the appropriate frequency band (2.4GHz or 5GHz) based on their capabilities and signal strength.

Benefits of Band Steering:

• Optimises network performance by balancing devices across bands
• Helps devices connect to the best available frequency
• Simplifies network management with a single Wi-Fi name (SSID)

To enable band steering:

1. Access your router's admin interface
2. Look for "Band Steering," "Smart Connect," or similar feature
3. Enable the feature and save changes

Optimise Channel Width

Channel width affects both speed and interference. Wider channels can provide faster speeds but are more susceptible to interference.

Recommended Settings:

• For 2.4GHz: Use 20MHz width in areas with many neighboring networks, or 20/40MHz (Auto) in less congested areas
• For 5GHz: Use 80MHz for maximum speed if you don't have many neighbors, or 40MHz for a balance of speed and stability in more crowded environments

Troubleshooting Specific Wi-Fi Problems

Even with optimal settings, you might encounter specific issues that require targeted solutions.

Dealing with Dead Zones

Dead zones are areas where Wi-Fi signal is weak or non-existent. Here's how to address them:

1. Map Your Coverage: Use a Wi-Fi analyser app to walk through your space and identify weak spots
2. Check for Interference: Look for physical barriers or interference sources in dead zone areas
3. Try a Different Band: 2.4GHz signals typically penetrate walls better than 5GHz
4. Consider Hardware Solutions: For persistent dead zones, consider a mesh system or strategically placed extenders

Intermittent Disconnections

If your devices frequently disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi:

Slow Wi-Fi Speeds

If your Wi-Fi is connected but speeds are slow:

1. Isolate the Issue: Test with multiple devices and in different locations to determine if it's a Wi-Fi problem or an internet service issue
2. Check for Bandwidth Hogs: Use your router's device list to see if any devices are using excessive bandwidth
3. Reduce Connected Devices: Disconnect devices you're not actively using
4. Test Wired Connection: Connect a computer directly to your router via Ethernet to compare speeds

Wi-Fi Security Considerations

Securing your Wi-Fi network is crucial for both privacy and performance reasons.

Use Strong Encryption

1. Access your router's admin interface
2. Find the wireless security settings
3. Select WPA3 if available, or WPA2-PSK (AES)
4. Avoid using WEP or WPA, as these are outdated and insecure

Change Default Credentials

• Change your router's admin password from the default
• Create a strong, unique Wi-Fi password (12+ characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols)
• Consider changing your network name (SSID) to something that doesn't identify you personally

Guest Network for Visitors

Setting up a guest network provides internet access for visitors without giving them access to your main network and connected devices.

Benefits:

• Keeps your main network more secure
• Prevents guests from accessing shared files and printers
• Allows you to limit bandwidth for guest devices
• Makes it easy to change guest access without affecting your main devices

When to Consider Hardware Upgrades

If you've tried all optimisation techniques and still have Wi-Fi issues, it might be time for hardware upgrades.

Signs You Need a Router Upgrade:

• Your router is more than 5 years old
• It doesn't support modern standards (802.11ac/Wi-Fi 5 or 802.11ax/Wi-Fi 6)
• It can't handle the number of devices in your home
• You've upgraded to faster internet service than your router can handle
• Performance issues persist despite all optimisation attempts

Recommended Router Features to Look For:

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support for future-proofing
• Dual-band or tri-band capabilities
• External antennas for better range
• Gigabit Ethernet ports
• USB ports for network storage or printers
• MU-MIMO technology for better performance with multiple devices