Many people replace their router because Wi-Fi doesn't reach the back bedroom, only to find the new router has trouble in exactly the same spot. The cause isn't the hardware, it's the position.
A Wi-Fi signal is a low-power radio wave. There are physical limits no amount of money can exceed, and most of those limits are set by whatever stands between the router and your device.
Obstructing materials, ranked
Not every obstruction is equal. Here are rough attenuation levels for 5 GHz, which is more sensitive than 2.4 GHz:
| Obstruction | Attenuation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary glass | Light | Barely noticeable |
| Plasterboard wall | Light | Passes through fine |
| Wooden door | Light–moderate | Depends on thickness |
| Brick wall | Moderate | One wall is still penetrable |
| Reinforced concrete | Heavy | The steel inside reflects the signal |
| Large mirror | Heavy | The metal layer reflects nearly all of it |
| Aquarium or water tank | Heavy | Water absorbs 2.4 GHz waves |
| Metal cabinets, fridges | Very heavy | Practically blocks that direction |
Two things often surprise people: mirrors and aquariums. Both look harmless but obstruct more than a brick wall.
Placing it well
Chest height, not on the floor
The signal radiates slightly downward from the antennas. A router on the floor has most of its radiation absorbed by the floor and furniture. A height of one to one and a half metres gives a much better result.
Out in the open, not in a cupboard
Beyond attenuating the signal, an enclosed space traps heat. A hot router throttles its processor, and on some models causes periodic disconnections.
Away from large metal objects and interference sources
Leave at least a metre between it and fridges, microwave ovens, metal filing cabinets, and large televisions.
As close as possible to the centre of the area in use
Not the geometric centre of the house, but the centre of where people actually use the internet. If the study and living room are on the north side, a router on the north side makes more sense even though the floor plan says that isn't the middle.
On antenna direction
A router's antenna radiates perpendicular to its shaft, forming a doughnut-shaped pattern. An upright antenna spreads signal sideways, good for a single floor, less so for the floor above.
For a two-storey home with a three-antenna router, a common arrangement is: one upright, one at 45 degrees, one horizontal. That gives radiation in several directions.
Routers with internal antennas offer no such choice. Instead, the device's own orientation matters some models are designed to stand, some to lie flat, and following that design gives the best result.
Advice with no real basis
Wrapping antennas in a drinks can
Reflecting the signal in one direction does, in theory, strengthen that direction. In practice, a can's shape is far from correct reflector geometry, and Wi-Fi needs two-way communication. The result is usually worse, not better.
Putting the router by a window so the signal has "more room"
This actually throws part of the radiation outside the house. If the aim is to cover the terrace, fine. If the aim is to cover the whole house, this position works against you.
Swapping the stock antennas for high-gain ones
A high-gain antenna doesn't create new power; it flattens the radiation pattern into something wider but thinner. In a multi-storey house, that actually reduces coverage to other floors.
Expensive routers must have longer range
Transmit power is limited by regulation and almost every router operates at the same limit. What distinguishes an expensive router is its ability to handle many devices at once and the quality of its reception, not how far its signal travels. The buying considerations are in the guide to choosing a router.
Measure, don't guess
The cheapest way to find weak spots is to walk around the house taking notes.
- Install a Wi-Fi analysis app on an Android phone, or open the Wi-Fi diagnostics menu on macOS.
- Sketch a rough floor plan on paper.
- Stand in the middle of each room, wait ten seconds, and note the RSSI.
- Mark any room below -70 dBm.
The result usually shows a clear pattern: one particular wall cutting the signal, or one corner of the house that's always bad regardless of router position.
Only then can the next decision be made on a real basis, moving the router, running a LAN cable to a second point, or installing a mesh system. The comparison is in the guide to mesh, repeaters, and access points.
When the ideal position isn't possible
In many homes the provider's cable enters at one corner and can't be moved without cost. Some ways out, ranked by result:
| Approach | Result | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Run LAN cable to a central point, add an access point | Best | Needs cabling |
| Mesh system with wired links between units | Very good | Needs cable + cost |
| Wireless mesh system | Good | Easy |
| Repeater | Adequate | Easiest, speed halves |
Cable always gives the best result. If you can run just one LAN cable to the centre of the house, that's a far more decisive investment than replacing the router.
Frequently asked questions
Does the router have to be in the middle of the house?
Ideally yes, since the signal radiates in all directions. But that often clashes with where the provider's cable enters. If moving it is difficult, adding one access point on the far side is usually more practical than forcing the router to move.
Which way should router antennas point?
An antenna radiates perpendicular to its shaft, so a vertical antenna spreads sideways. For a single-storey home, all antennas upright is right. For two storeys, angle one antenna horizontally so there's radiation up and down.
Does putting the router in a cupboard really matter?
Yes, twice over. A wooden door attenuates the signal, and an enclosed space makes the router hotter, which reduces its performance. If the reason is aesthetic, an open shelf is far better than a closed cabinet.
What's the maximum Wi-Fi range indoors?
With no obstructions, 5 GHz remains usable to about 15 metres and 2.4 GHz to about 30 metres. Those figures fall sharply with walls. Two concrete walls are enough to make 5 GHz unusable.
