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Your initial reaction might be to conceal your Wi-Fi router. Many individuals tuck them away to hide unsightly cables and minimize visual clutter. However, if your mesh network is encountering difficulties in certain areas and you desire to enhance its speed, reconsidering your router’s positioning is worthwhile—even with a mesh system. Optimizing mesh router placement is crucial for achieving a Wi-Fi speed boost and eliminating Wi-Fi dead zones in your home. This guide provides essential tips for improving your mesh network performance.
Optimal Placement for Your Mesh Router
For optimal performance, position mesh routers and other Wi-Fi devices in open spaces, elevated off the floor.
Having evaluated router performance for numerous years, it’s clear that router location is paramount for optimal Wi-Fi speeds. Unlike a traditional Wi-Fi router that emits a signal from a singular location, a mesh system employs multiple units to broadcast signals from various points. This creates a network of interconnected routers that collaboratively manage your internet traffic flow.
This approach significantly improves home networking, especially in expansive, multi-level residences where a conventional, single-point router is likely to produce dead zones in remote rooms.
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Nevertheless, strategic placement is essential when configuring your router and satellite extenders, also known as nodes. Their precise location significantly affects the system’s overall efficacy. Below are key guidelines to consider during setup, ensuring you achieve the best mesh network performance.
Central Router Positioning
Firstly, position the primary router, the mesh device connected to your modem, as centrally as feasible within your residence. This mirrors the strategy employed with a single router, and for similar reasons: Routers disseminate Wi-Fi signals in all directions. Therefore, situating your router centrally maximizes coverage throughout your home.
This principle is even more critical for mesh systems, where the connection strength near your extenders largely depends on the signal quality from the main router. A robust link between these components ensures the fastest possible Wi-Fi speeds across your entire home.
While the positioning of your modem and incoming internet wiring may appear to limit your router placement options, utilizing an extended Ethernet cable can prove beneficial. This enables you to relocate the router away from the modem’s immediate vicinity if necessary. If this is impractical, or if you prefer minimizing cable clutter, ensure the primary router is in an open area, ideally elevated above ground level.
Asus’ guide highlights a mesh networking rule: for peak performance, maintain no more than two rooms’ distance between devices.
Strategic Extender Arrangement
Once the primary router is optimally located, focus on selecting suitable spots for the extenders. Most systems allow wired Ethernet connections between each device and the main router for maximum speed. However, wireless connections are often preferred for convenience. In such cases, strategic Wi-Fi extender placement becomes even more vital.
Again, open and elevated locations are ideal for a clear signal. Consider your home’s layout, as physical impediments between the primary router and extenders can impede performance.
Generally, aim to keep mesh devices within two rooms of each other. This guideline may vary depending on your home’s construction materials, particularly dense materials like brick or concrete walls, which can hinder Wi-Fi signal penetration. Also, be mindful of potential electronic interference from televisions and large appliances. If placing a mesh extender in the kitchen, avoid concealing it on top of the refrigerator; position it away from appliances.
Many mesh systems include companion apps with placement guides, signal strength indicators, and diagnostic tools for optimal setup.
Furniture can also obstruct Wi-Fi signals. Relocate any large or bulky items situated between mesh devices. Aquariums are another common obstacle, as Wi-Fi signals struggle to pass through water.
To ensure optimal mesh network connectivity, utilize your system’s app to monitor signal strength for each device—a feature common to most systems.
Addressing Dead Zones Effectively
If you encounter a signal dead zone in a remote corner of your home, resist the temptation to place a mesh extender directly within it to amplify speeds. In many instances, this approach is counterproductive.
Remember that mesh extenders, like phones or laptops, require a wireless connection to the main router. If a corner is a dead zone for your phone or laptop, it will likely be the same for a mesh extender.
A more effective strategy is to position the extender adjacent to the dead zone, in a location with better connectivity to the main router. This might be halfway between the dead zone and the router, though experimentation may be necessary. Finding this ideal spot should result in a strong Wi-Fi signal that extends into the dead zone, effectively restoring coverage.
Speed tests are invaluable for assessing Wi-Fi performance room by room.
Conducting a Speed Test to Verify Performance
Beyond the diagnostic tools within your mesh router’s app, running a speed test is the quickest way to evaluate system performance. Numerous free online services are available to measure upload and download speeds on your device within minutes.
For comprehensive insight, use your laptop or phone to perform multiple speed tests in each room requiring reliable Wi-Fi. This will give you a clear understanding of consistent speed areas and weaker signal zones. Subsequently, adjust extender positions to balance coverage, or consider adding an extender to eliminate any remaining gaps. This process should establish robust signal strength throughout your home wherever needed.
Speed tests are useful in determining optimal placement of your mesh router.
Additional Factors for Mesh Router Optimization
Remember that your mesh router’s speed is capped by your internet service provider (ISP) plan. If you consistently experience slow speeds, upgrading to a faster plan might be necessary. Contact your ISP to inquire about trial periods for faster plans to assess if this resolves the issue. Your ISP may also offer a modem upgrade, potentially enhancing speeds for your mesh system from the outset.
If speeds remain unsatisfactory after addressing ISP factors, consider other potential solutions. If your provider’s modem functions as a gateway (modem and router combo), disable its Wi-Fi network to prevent conflicts with your mesh system’s Wi-Fi.
Regarding interference, neighboring Wi-Fi networks could be a factor. Access your mesh router’s app and explore channel settings to tune your network to a less congested Wi-Fi channel, avoiding channels used by nearby networks. Also, ensure your mesh system’s firmware is up-to-date, typically manageable within the app.
For further information, explore reviews of top-rated Wi-Fi 6 routers and resources on securing free Wi-Fi access globally.