Two Tech Pros Reveal the 5 Worst Spots for Your Wi-Fi Router

It makes sense if you prefer hiding your Wi-Fi router behind the sofa, beneath a bookshelf, or (gosh) perhaps even within a cupboard. They can be rather unattractive to have on display.

Although these concealed spots will hide the bulky-looking device from view, they'll also make it significantly more difficult to access. Wi-Fi router to do its job.

"The primary aspect you need to take into account is that Wi-Fi propagates efficiently through open spaces but performs quite badly when passing through solid materials," explained Julian, a technician with ThoseTechGuys In Renton, Washington. "The optimal location for a router is one that is centrally positioned and exposed, not hidden inside cabinets, kitchens, plumbing systems, or thick walls."

Typically, you ought to place your router in a central area of your house where it is easily visible. Minimizing obstacles near the router will enhance your signal strength. Avoid these common mistakes during your router setup.

Read more: Here's How Much Cash I've Lost by Leasing a Router for Half a Decade

Error 1: On the ground

Placing your router on the floor won't entirely eliminate your Wi-Fi signal, but you'll definitely experience some degradation. maximizing it , definitely not. Consider your router similar to a light bulb. The objective is for it to illuminate as wide an area as possible. Placing a lamp on the floor will offer some illumination, yet not as much as positioning it on a table would.

Radio waves typically send their strongest signals downward, so placing your router in an elevated position will maximize your coverage. You can find wall mounts On Amazon, however, I can't endorse their recommendation—attaching your router directly to a wall will significantly obstruct its signal. Rather than doing that, consider positioning it on a table or shelf, preferably about a foot away from any walls for optimal performance.

Error 2: Hiding behind the couch

If you scan the living room for an ideal spot to position your router, the couch may seem like a practical choice for concealment. However, this is not advisable due to the same logic behind avoiding placement directly next to a wall or the floor.

"You should try to minimize the number of solid materials that the Wi-Fi signal needs to pass through," Julian explained.

A sofa or recliner could diminish your Wi-Fi strength less dramatically than a solid barrier like a wall, yet they can still reduce signal quality.

Error 3: Within the basement

Many individuals find their routers aesthetically displeasing and prefer hiding them in the basement. However, this goes against a key principle of effective home networking: position your router where it will be used most frequently—and basements typically aren’t high-traffic areas for internet usage. Additionally, basements often contain numerous items capable of disrupting Wi-Fi signals.

"There’s significantly more noise down in the basement," stated David Maxey, a senior technician at an IT support firm. NerdsToGo in Bellevue, Washington If fluorescent lights, electrical wires, or copper pipes are present on the lower level, they will certainly influence the environment.

Error 4: Inside cabinets

A cabinet may appear as a smart way to hide an unsightly router; however, it’s among the few errors that could potentially harm your device. Besides obstructing the signal, placing a router inside an enclosed area such as a cabinet can lead to overheating issues. This was exemplified by an incident involving one woman who experienced this problem. Florida Recently lost her home in a blaze which she claims was initiated through her WiFi router .

That represents an extreme, worst-case situation. A more probable outcome is that your router will gradually deteriorate due to insufficient ventilation, leading to intermittent total failures.

Issue 5: Close proximity to an additional Wi-Fi router

Wi-Fi functions using a specific range of frequencies, primarily radio waves," Julian explained to me. "Therefore, any equipment that transmits within this frequency band can cause interference. This encompasses other Wi-Fi devices as well.

Devices such as your television or smart speaker won't interfere with your Wi-Fi signal. However, issues may arise if you have other components like routers or gateways. This does not include mesh systems which uses several routers connected together to extend a Wi-Fi signal across the entire house.

Why does one possess several routers when they aren’t part of a mesh network? This occurs more frequently than you may imagine, according to Julian.

People simply aren’t aware," Julian explains. "You begin with one piece of equipment, say a router, but soon find your internet isn't performing up to par. That prompts you to purchase an additional gadget." He adds, "This issue stems from ignorance about the fact these devices ought to belong to the same lineup, part of the same ecosystem.

Where do you think would be best to place your router?

The optimal location for placing your router It should be placed where it’s easily visible, like in a central room. Preferably, elevate it several feet above the floor, ensuring there’s ample clearance around it and away from any walls or bulky items of furniture.

This could be disappointing for folks who have unsightly routers, but you can conceal your router within a wicker basket or plastic crate. Ensure that the enclosure isn't made of metal since this material may disrupt Wi-Fi signals.

Initially released on March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. PST.