Your broadband connection might be fast, but if the WiFi cannot reach the rooms where you use it, it will not feel that way. The good news is that many WiFi problems can be improved for free, simply by moving the router or changing how a few devices connect.
This guide brings together practical advice from Ofcom and Which? on router placement, interference, cables and mesh, along with a simple first step to find out where the problem really lies.
Start with a wired speed test
Before you move anything, it helps to know whether you have a WiFi problem or a broadband problem. Plug a laptop or computer into your router with an Ethernet cable, pause other downloads and streaming, and run a test with our speed test.
- If the wired result is close to what your package should deliver, the broadband line is fine and the WiFi is the thing to improve.
- If the wired result is also poor, restart the router, test again and contact your provider if it stays low.
Our guide to testing your broadband speed explains how to get a fair result.
Where to put your router
WiFi spreads outwards from the router and gets weaker the further it travels and the more it has to pass through. Ofcom's advice on improving your WiFi and guidance from Which? agree on the basics.
- Put it somewhere central. A router in the middle of the home covers more rooms evenly than one tucked in a corner by the front door.
- Raise it up. Keep it off the floor. A shelf or the top of a unit usually works better.
- Keep it in the open. Avoid hiding it in a cupboard, behind the sofa or behind the television.
Of course, the router has to go near where the broadband line comes into your home. If that spot is awkward, you may be able to use a longer cable to move the router somewhere better. With full fibre, the position of the fibre point is often agreed on installation day, so it is worth thinking about where you would like your router before the engineer arrives.
What blocks or weakens WiFi
Some materials absorb or reflect wireless signals. According to Ofcom, it helps to keep your router away from:
- thick walls;
- water, including fish tanks;
- metal objects and radiators;
- glass.
Interference from other devices
Other electrical items can also disrupt WiFi. Ofcom suggests keeping your router away from microwaves, baby monitors, fairy lights and cordless phones. Even small changes, such as moving the router a little away from the microwave, can make a difference.
Use a cable where you can
WiFi is convenient, but a cable is usually faster and steadier. Ofcom recommends using an Ethernet cable for devices that stay in one place. In most homes that means things like:
- a desktop computer or a laptop on a home office desk;
- a smart television or streaming box;
- a games console.
Moving these onto a cable also frees up WiFi capacity for phones, tablets and laptops that move around the house. If you work from home, our guide to setting up a home office connection has more ideas.
Other quick wins
- Restart the router now and then. It can clear temporary problems.
- Check for updates. Keep the router's software up to date if your provider does not do this for you.
- Disconnect devices you no longer use. Old gadgets can still take a share of the connection.
- Think about timing. Large downloads and game updates can slow everything else, so schedule them overnight where you can.
When mesh WiFi makes sense
In larger homes, homes with thick walls, or homes spread over three floors, one router may not cover every room however well it is placed. That is where mesh WiFi helps. A mesh system uses several units placed around the home that work together as one network, so your devices connect to whichever unit gives the best signal.
Ofcom notes that mesh can improve coverage, and Which? says mesh systems generally do a better job than simple WiFi extenders.
How far apart to place mesh units
Which? suggests placing mesh units roughly 10 to 15 metres apart. In practice, the right spacing depends on your walls and floors. A useful approach is:
- place the first unit next to your router;
- place the next unit about halfway between the router and the area with poor signal, not in the dead spot itself;
- keep each unit in the open and off the floor, following the same rules as the router;
- test the speed in each room and move units if a spot is still weak.
Our guide to mesh WiFi explains how mesh works in more detail, and our WiFi page shows the mesh options you can add when you order with us.
A quick checklist
- Test with a cable first to rule out a broadband fault.
- Move the router to a central, raised, open position.
- Keep it clear of water, metal, glass and other electrical devices.
- Use Ethernet for devices that do not move.
- Add mesh if parts of your home still struggle.
Get a connection that reaches every room
Check your address to see the full fibre packages and mesh options available at your home, or call our team in Sunderland on 0191 543 3432 for friendly advice on getting WiFi where you need it.