Where is the best location for your WiFi router?

Finding the best location for your WiFi router is one of the most impactful, yet often overlooked, factors in network performance. A poorly placed router can cripple even the most powerful hardware, leading to dead zones and inconsistent connectivity.

Every remote connection, every cloud-based application, and every collaborative tool relies on a strong, stable signal. Without it, the promise of an efficient digital workplace remains just out of reach, leading to wasted time and mounting frustration for your entire team.

At TeamViewer, we understand that effortless collaboration is built on a foundation of reliable connectivity. A powerful remote access solution is only as good as the network it runs on. This guide will provide a data-driven approach to help you find the perfect spot for your router, ensuring your infrastructure can fully support your team's productivity, from anywhere.

In this article

• Why your router’s location is critical for network performance
• The golden rules for ideal router placement
• The absolute worst places to put your WiFi router
• How to find the best location in multi-story buildings and apartments
• Summary: A final checklist for optimal WiFi connectivity

Why your router’s location is critical for network performance

Your WiFi router works by broadcasting radio waves, which are a form of electromagnetic radiation. Like the sound from a speaker, these waves radiate outwards from their source. And just like sound, they get weaker the farther they travel and can be blocked or distorted by physical obstacles. Understanding this simple principle is the key to mastering your wireless network.

How building materials affect your signal

The materials in your office or home have a significant impact on your Wi-Fi signal. Dense materials like concrete, brick, and metal are notorious signal killers, absorbing or reflecting radio waves and creating dead zones. Even less obvious materials like water (in aquariums or pipes), mirrors, and thick wooden furniture can weaken connectivity. Placing your router in a location free from these obstructions is paramount for a stronger, more reliable signal throughout your space.

The problem of interference from other devices

Furthermore, your router isn't the only device using the radio spectrum. Other electronic devices, such as microwave ovens, cordless phones, and Bluetooth speakers, operate on or near the same 2.4 GHz frequency band as many WiFi networks. This can lead to signal interference, which manifests as dropped connections and slow speeds. This is why finding the best location for your WiFi router often involves a strategic assessment of the entire electronic ecosystem in the area.

Why router placement matters for businesses

For businesses that rely on seamless digital workflows, a stable network is non-negotiable. It's the backbone that supports everything from video conferencing and cloud computing to the remote work solutions that keep your teams connected. By optimizing your router's placement, you are not just boosting a signal; you are fortifying the infrastructure that powers your entire operation, preventing dropped connections and ensuring your team can work without interruption.

The golden rules for ideal router placement

Before we dive into specific layouts, there are several universal principles that apply to nearly every setting. Following these golden rules will dramatically improve your wireless coverage and lead to a more stable experience for all connected devices. Think of this as the foundational setting for a high-performance network.

1. Start with a central location

Your WiFi router broadcasts its signal in all directions, like a sphere of connectivity. To provide the most even coverage, you should place the router as close to the physical center of your office or home as possible. Hiding it in a corner office or at one end of the building means you are effectively wasting half of your signal broadcasting it outside.

2. Elevate your router for better reach

WiFi signals tend to travel downwards and outwards. Placing your router on the floor is one of the worst things you can do for coverage. Instead, position it on a high shelf, a bookcase, or mount it on a wall. This elevation helps the signal travel over furniture and other low-lying obstructions, improving its reach, especially to other floors.

3. Avoid hiding your router

It can be tempting to hide your router in a cabinet or closet for aesthetic reasons, but this is a major mistake. Enclosing the device traps the signal and causes it to bounce around, severely degrading its strength and range. For optimal performance, your router needs open air to breathe and broadcast its signal freely. If you have a WiFi router with external antennas, position them strategically—one vertically and one horizontally—to maximize coverage for devices on different planes.

The absolute worst places to put your WiFi router

Just as important as knowing where to put your router is knowing where *not* to. Avoiding common pitfalls can deliver an immediate and noticeable boost to your network’s performance. Identifying the worst place to put your WiFi router in your specific environment is a critical step in troubleshooting slow or unreliable connections.

The kitchen: Interference central

The kitchen is often one of the worst locations. It is a hub of signal interference, primarily from the microwave oven, which operates on the same 2.4 GHz frequency as many WiFi networks. Additionally, large metal appliances like refrigerators and ovens can block and reflect signals.

Basements: concrete signal traps

Basements are another poor choice, as they are typically surrounded by concrete walls that absorb WiFi signals, making it extremely difficult for the connection to reach the floors above.

TVs and electronics: Hidden disruptors

Another common mistake is placing a WiFi router near a TV or other home entertainment equipment. These electronic devices generate their own electromagnetic interference, which can disrupt your WiFi signal. Similarly, avoid placing your router directly next to large metal objects like filing cabinets or on metal shelving, as metal is a primary cause of signal reflection and blockage.

Closets, cabinets, and aquariums: Signal blockers

Never hide your router in a closet or cabinet. While it may keep the device out of sight, it also traps the signal, preventing it from reaching its intended destinations. The same logic applies to placing it behind a large aquarium; water is surprisingly effective at absorbing WiFi signals. The goal is to minimize obstructions and interference, and these locations do the exact opposite, creating unnecessary frustration and connectivity problems.

How to find the best location in multi-story buildings and apartments

General rules provide a great starting point, but every space is unique. Optimizing your network requires a tailored approach, especially in multi-level buildings or dense apartment complexes where challenges are magnified. Finding the perfect spot requires a bit more strategic thinking.

Best router placement in a 2-story house or office

For those wondering about the best place to put a WiFi router in a 2-story house or office, the goal is to split the difference. The ideal location is often on the first floor, near the ceiling, or on the second floor, near the floor. Placing the router in a central location on the main floor is typically the most effective strategy, as it allows the signal to radiate upwards to the second floor and outwards across the first.

Best router placement in multi-story houses

The challenge increases with more levels. The best place to put a WiFi router in a 3-story house is almost always the middle floor. A central location on the second floor provides the best chance of delivering a usable signal to both the floor above and the floor below. For large or complex multi-story layouts, a single WiFi router may not be enough. In these cases, investing in a mesh WiFi system, like those from NETGEAR or other leading brands, can provide strong, consistent coverage throughout the entire building.

Best router placement in apartments

Finding the best place to put a WiFi router in an apartment presents a different set of problems. Here, the biggest issue is often not distance but interference from dozens of competing networks in close proximity. Use a WiFi analyzer app to see which channels are most congested and manually set your router to a less crowded one. Additionally, be mindful of building materials; concrete or plaster walls will inhibit the signal far more than drywall. The core principles still apply: central, elevated, and in the open.

Summary: A final checklist for optimal WiFi connectivity

In today's digitally connected enterprise, a slow, unreliable network is a significant liability. Dropped connections during critical client calls or slow access to cloud resources can lead to tangible losses in productivity and create widespread frustration. The physical location of your WiFi router is the single most important factor you can control to prevent these issues and build a resilient wireless infrastructure.

To recap, the path to improved connectivity is straightforward. Always place your router in a central, elevated location, free from physical obstructions and sources of electronic interference. Avoid common problem areas like kitchens, basements, closets, and the space directly next to other large electronics. By following these guidelines, you can dramatically improve your network's speed and reliability.

For IT professionals and business leaders, taking a few minutes to find the best location for your WiFi router is an investment that pays immediate dividends. It ensures that your team has the stable, high-performance connectivity required for seamless remote access and effortless collaboration.