- WiFi signal weakens with distance and is absorbed by walls, floors and large objects, which affects real-world speed.
- The 2.4 GHz band reaches further but is slower and more congested, while 5 GHz is faster over shorter distances.
- Newer routers may add a 6 GHz band, offering more capacity for compatible devices at short range.
- A central, open router position generally gives better whole-home coverage than a corner or enclosed spot.
- Wired ethernet avoids WiFi limits entirely and is useful for fixed, demanding devices.
Place the router centrally and in the open, away from interference. Use 2.4 GHz for range and 5 GHz for speed at shorter distances, and use ethernet for fixed, demanding devices to bypass WiFi limits.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Why placement matters so much
The speed a device actually receives often depends more on the WiFi than on the broadband line. WiFi is a radio signal, and like any radio signal it weakens with distance and is absorbed or reflected by the building around it. A router placed poorly can leave parts of a home with weak coverage, even when the line into the property is fast. Getting placement right is one of the most effective and lowest-cost ways to improve everyday performance.
The goal is to give the signal the clearest possible path to the areas where it is needed. That means thinking about where devices are used, what lies between them and the router, and where interference might come from.
Where to put the router
As a general rule, a central and open position gives the best whole-home coverage, because the signal radiates outward in all directions. Placing the router high up, such as on a shelf rather than on the floor, helps the signal spread. Keeping it in the open, rather than inside a cupboard, behind a television or among other electronics, avoids both physical obstruction and interference. Where the home layout forces a corner position, such as where the line enters the property, the areas furthest from the router will see the weakest signal, which may call for additional coverage solutions.
| Band | Speed | Range | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz | Lower | Longer, better through walls | Distant devices, coverage |
| 5 GHz | Higher | Shorter | Nearby devices needing speed |
| 6 GHz (newest standards) | Highest | Shortest | High-demand devices close to router |
Obstructions and building materials
Not all walls are equal. Plasterboard and wood absorb relatively little signal, while dense materials such as brick, concrete, stone and metal absorb a great deal. Foil-backed insulation, large mirrors and water, including aquariums and even people, can all weaken WiFi. Each obstruction between the router and a device reduces the signal, which is why a device two thick walls away can struggle even at a modest distance. Planning placement around the building's structure, and minimising the number of dense obstructions in the signal path, improves coverage.
Sources of interference
Interference is a common and often overlooked cause of poor WiFi. Other wireless networks nearby, particularly in flats and terraced housing, compete for the same airwaves, especially on the crowded 2.4 GHz band. Household devices can also interfere, including some cordless phones, baby monitors and microwave ovens. Keeping the router away from such devices, and choosing a less congested channel where the router allows, reduces interference. Many modern routers select channels automatically, but in busy environments manual selection can sometimes help.
2.4 GHz versus 5 GHz
Most routers broadcast on two frequency bands, and choosing the right one matters. The 2.4 GHz band travels further and penetrates walls better, but it is slower and more congested. The 5 GHz band is faster and less crowded, but its range is shorter and it is absorbed more by walls. In practice, 5 GHz suits devices close to the router that need speed, while 2.4 GHz suits devices further away where coverage matters more than peak speed. Many routers present both bands under one network name and steer devices automatically, while others let the user choose.
The 6 GHz band and newer standards
Newer routers supporting the latest WiFi standards may add a 6 GHz band. This offers a large amount of additional, uncongested capacity for compatible devices, but at short range and with the most absorption by walls. It is most useful for high-demand devices close to the router. Older devices cannot use 6 GHz and will continue to rely on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The benefit of the newest standards therefore depends on having devices that support them.
When to use ethernet
For fixed devices that are demanding or sensitive to interruptions, a wired ethernet connection avoids WiFi limits entirely. A games console, a desktop computer, a smart television or a work computer in a home office all benefit from the consistent speed and low latency of a wired link. Running an ethernet cable is not always practical, but where it is, it removes a major source of slowdown and frees up WiFi capacity for the devices that must be wireless. Where cabling is difficult, powerline adapters or mesh systems can provide alternatives.
When placement alone is not enough
In larger homes, those with dense walls, or properties where the router must sit in a corner, good placement may still leave weak areas. In these cases, additional equipment extends coverage. A mesh system uses multiple nodes to blanket a home with a single network, while wired access points provide strong coverage where a cable can reach. WiFi extenders are a simpler option but can reduce throughput. Choosing among these depends on the home's size and layout, but the first step is always to optimise the placement and settings of the existing router, since that often resolves the problem at no cost.
Simple settings that help
Beyond physical placement, a few router settings can improve WiFi. Keeping the router's firmware up to date ensures it has the latest performance and security improvements. Using a single network name across the bands, where the router supports it, lets devices move to the best band automatically rather than being fixed to a slower one. In congested areas, selecting a less crowded channel can reduce interference, although many routers handle this automatically. Restarting the router occasionally clears temporary issues. None of these settings replaces good placement, but together they help the router make the most of its position.
Testing coverage around the home
The simplest way to judge WiFi is to test it where it is actually used. Walking around the home with a phone or laptop and running a speed test in each room reveals where coverage is strong and where it falls away. Comparing those results with a wired test at the router shows how much is lost to WiFi rather than the line. This mapping makes it clear whether a problem is a single dead zone, which an extender or access point can address, or weak coverage across the whole home, which points to a mesh system. Testing before buying equipment avoids spending on a solution that does not match the actual problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to put a router?
A central, open and elevated position generally gives the best whole-home coverage, because the signal radiates outward in all directions. Keeping the router out of cupboards and away from other electronics avoids obstruction and interference. Where the line forces a corner position, the areas furthest away will see the weakest signal.
Does a router in a cupboard affect WiFi?
Yes. A cupboard, or a position behind a television or among other electronics, physically obstructs the signal and can add interference, reducing coverage and speed. Moving the router into the open, ideally elevated and central, often improves performance noticeably at no cost.
Should I use 2.4GHz or 5GHz?
Use 5 GHz for devices close to the router that need speed, as it is faster and less congested but has shorter range. Use 2.4 GHz for devices further away, as it travels further and penetrates walls better despite being slower. Many routers steer devices between the bands automatically.
How far can WiFi reach?
Range depends on the band, the router and the building. The 2.4 GHz band reaches further than 5 GHz and 6 GHz, but dense walls of brick, concrete, stone or metal sharply reduce all bands. There is no fixed distance, which is why coverage in practice depends heavily on placement and the building's structure.
Do thick walls block WiFi?
Dense materials such as brick, concrete, stone and metal absorb a great deal of WiFi signal, so thick walls significantly reduce coverage and speed. Each obstruction in the signal path weakens the connection, which is why a device separated from the router by several dense walls can struggle even at a modest distance.
When should I use ethernet instead of WiFi?
Use ethernet for fixed, demanding or interruption-sensitive devices such as games consoles, desktop computers, smart televisions and home-office computers. A wired link gives consistent speed and low latency, avoids WiFi limits, and frees up wireless capacity for devices that must be wireless.
