Pareesa Afreen 
Dec 14, 2025
Slow Wi-Fi speeds at home are often blamed on internet packages, but experts say router placement plays a bigger role in determining signal strength and reliability.
Many households experience weak connections, buffering, or dead zones simply because their routers are placed in poor locations.
It is advised by networking experts that by relocating the router to a better spot, the network coverage can be improved without having to change the internet plan. It is always best that the router be positioned at a point in the house that is central and open so that signals are radiated evenly into the house.
According to the experts, stay away from enclosed areas like cabinets or cupboards, or corners with walls that are thick, as these could impede the Wi-Fi signals.
It is advisable to mount the Wi-Fi router using surfaces like shelves or wall mounts since such areas can minimise signals that could be impeded by furniture.
Routers often rank among the least preferable spots in basements. This is mainly because concrete walls and floors absorb Wi-Fi signals, causing intermittent connections on the upper levels of a house.
Furthermore, devices such as microwaves, cordless speakers, cordless baby monitors, or any other type of Bluetooth device in a house tend to interfere with Wi-Fi signals, especially where the frequency is 2.4 GHz.
Ways to minimise interference include switching to the 5 GHz or 6 GHz frequency bands for faster speeds with more availability, despite their shorter range of coverage. Connecting the router with a wired Ethernet network, getting a mesh network, or upgrading to a better router can improve the continuity of the connection.
