It is universally acknowledged that Wi-Fi is one of the greatest inventions of the 21^st century. Look around you. Such revolutionary is the technology that there is high possibility that the last office or house you visited has its own personal Wi-Fi network. Just like any other thing that has perks, there are certain difficulties that the user has to encounter. Slow speeds and bad reception can at times be very frustrating. In this article, we shall discuss what the factors are that affect your Wi-Fi connectivity negatively, and where in your house you should place the router to muster some relief.

Factors that Affect the Connectivity

As has already been stated, there are certain factors which negatively affect your Wi-Fi connectivity. Although having knowledge of these factors won’t help the user boost the connectivity, it will act as a solid foundation for the following section. The crucial factors are:

1. Distance from router and existence of obstacles: Yes, it is the same children’s logic. The further you go from the router, the weaker your signal gets. The existence of obstacles like walls, furniture and so on further weakens the signal considerably.
2. Presence of other networks: Ever witnessed that using too many Wi-Fi networks in the same enclosure leading to none of the networks working properly? This is a problem that business houses owning multiple networks in their offices have been trying to solve since time immemorial. As the proverb goes, too many cooks spoil the broth. Seem like it is true for Wi-Fi networks too.
3. Interference of home appliances: Fun fact for the readers: your microwave oven, your refrigerator or/and your air conditioner might be interfering with your network. When the frequency of these appliances coincides with that of the signals, disruptions are caused. But, don’t worry; you won’t have to throw them away.
4. Too many users: The next time you catch your neighbor stealing your Wi-Fi network, grant him the pleasure of a punch or two. He is responsible for your misery: slow network. Too many users make network usage a disaster.

So, Where to Place it?

Placing your router in a perfect way is a very tricky job. However, we live in a world full of smart people and providing solutions to problems is a passion for most. As far as this problem is concerned, it can somewhat be solved using a simple checklist known by the acronym VOICE. So, make sure of the following:

1. The antenna (e) of your router is (are) VERTICALLY aligned from the floor. The Wi-Fi signal actually beams out from the sides of your antenna, and if they’re pointing in a direction other than up, you might get slightly better coverage in one particular area—but most of your signal is shooting straight into the ground and ceiling.
2. Your router is free from OBSTRUCTIONS. Make sure it is not kept next to a thick wall, kept close to other electronic appliances like Microwave Ovens, refrigerators, televisions, computers and so on. It should not be angled behind metal objects or any similar objects that are capable of obstructing the connectivity.
3. It should be free from the INTERFERENCE of networks used by neighbors. Buyers of Wi-Fi networks hardly tweak their router settings and most of the times use the same channel (or frequency) that is set by default. All routers, including the ones of the neighbors, are used using the same channel. Using softwares like the ‘Meraki Wi-Fi Stumbler’, users can know of the free channels and use it subsequently, thus having a hassle free expeience.
4. Again we come to a simple logic. The router should have a CENTRAL position in your house so that it is accessible from every nook and corner of your house. Many offices have used this technique to receive viable results.
5. The router must be ELEVATED from the ground. To speak in an easy manner, it is easier for Wi-Fi signals to travel down and sideways than upwards. Consequently, it is beneficial to elevate your router by placing it on a table, dresser, tea-table, shelf, and if situations arise, even on a few books.

Following the above checklist will hopefully help in boosting your network. Although it is not the ultimate guide for doing so, it is perhaps the best way to begin.

However, it is to be kept in mind that the best way to boost speed is to upgrade your W-Fi technology. You can find a list of Computer Dealers who will be able to help you in that regard here.

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