Is your internet slow and you are wondering how to position WiFi antennas to get the best signal? Are you a believer that the antennas of our devices aren’t that important of a matter at all?
In this guide, we will give you all the information you need about WiFi antennas! Not only that, but we will also detail the step-by-step process on how you can position it better for your good!
Position the antennas of your router or your modem sideways if you want a vertical reach, or upward for horizontal efficiency.
Just before diving right into it, does the position of the antenna really matter? Or is it just a complementary add-on to the strength of your signal?
Does Wi-Fi Antenna Position Matter?
Many people today don’t understand the structure of how antennas work. Some people think that pointing it upward is the best way to go because signals travel higher than the usual perimeter.
On the other end of the spectrum, some think that it should be sideways so that it spreads evenly across the entire space of where you are.
As much as we don’t want to believe it doesn’t, the position of your WiFi or your router antenna matters.
There are some routers today that have built-in antennas embedded into the hardware. Therefore, you can position them by properly placing and positioning your router or your modem.
So, if you are trying to get the best and the most effective signal on your modem or router; if you’re asking how to position WiFi router antennas to get the highest and the strongest signal, this is what you’ve been waiting for!
How Do Antennas Work?
Before we dive straight into that, it is imperative for you to know and understand how antennas work. Does it work like how a radio antenna does? Or is its functionality different?
Antennas work in the opposite way of how you think of it. They radiate and transmit signals vertically and outward from the antenna.
Pointing Antennas Upward
If you choose and decide to point your antenna upward, the signals would be transmitted horizontally. It’s not like what you think that the signals would shoot upwards, no.
The signals will transmit and travel through the body of the antenna, spreading the signal in a horizontal manner.
Pointing Antennas Sideways
On the other end of the rope, if you point the antenna sideways, then the signals would be better on the next and the previous level of the property.
For instance, if your home has three (3) floors and you place the router on the second floor with the antenna positioned sideways, both the 1stand the 3rdfloor would get equal signals since they’re transmitted vertically.
Those are the basics of how the antennas on your WiFi routers work.
How to Position WiFi Antennas to Get the Best Signal
What is the truth behind it? How should you really position your WiFi antennas?
Now that you know how the signals spread and radiate through the antennas, how do you position it so that that you get the best possible signal?
Step #1: Place Your Router in a Central Location
The first thing you want to do is to place your router or modem in a central location. What’s the point of properly positioning your antennas if the placement of your router or modem is not good anyway?
So, what you need to consider doing first is placing the router in a place where the entire area will be covered.
If you have two (2) floors, the best router placement would be a few inches above lifted from the second floor. Signals travel downwards, not upwards.
Get the most out of it by placing it on the second floor.
Step #2: Determine the Spread of Signals
Do you want the signals to move sideward, or do you want them to move vertically? If you have multiple stories in your home, the best position for your WiFi router antenna/s would be horizontal.
This way, the signals would travel up and down evenly.
However, if you want the signals strong on just one floor, position it normally or vertically. This way, the signals that the antenna will transmit are going to be stronger horizontally.
One good tip to remember is that the signals are going to travel out of the body of the antenna, not the tip of it.
Step #3: Avoid Electromagnetic Objects or Appliances
When you have all of those in place, the next tip to get better reception and signal is to avoid electromagnetic objects and appliances.
It’s an old rule and it’s truer than ever.
These objects include refrigerators, doorbells, microwave ovens, TV boxes, and other electrical appliances you can find within your home or your office.
Electromagnetic and high-powered appliances tend to block off signals stronger and more effectively compared to other types of devices. So, try to clear out these appliances that are within the scope of the antenna.
Step #4 Place it at a Certain Height
Even if you put it in a centralized location and you have the WiFi antennas positioned greatly, if it’s not at a certain height, it wouldn’t be effective.
Based on the most recent data and studies, the optimal height of a modem or a router would be at the same altitude as your devices.
If you’re going to install it on the 1stfloor, the most ideal height would be the 4-feet to 4.5-feet mark. Should you be placing it on the 2ndfloor, the best would be 1.5 to 2-feet off the floor or the surface.
Step #5: Avoid Obstructions
Last but definitely not least would be to avoid any type of obstruction. These obstructions include walls, doors, windows, glass, concrete, wood, and other types of solid objects that could bounce the signals off.
These are among the most important steps that we can give you on how to position your WiFi antennas, as well as your modems and routers.
Read Next: Why has my WiFi gone bad suddenly?
Other Options to Boost WiFi Signal
Apart from the proper positioning of the hardware, as well as the antennas, one thing you can try is to use external devices to boost the distribution of the signals.
WiFi Extenders
These are the most popular options for the further spreading of Wi-Fi signals within your area. With WiFi extenders, you can virtually lengthen the reach of your modems and routers.
As a matter of fact, you can try to ignore very few obstructions like walls and windows. Use a WiFi extender and be free from all the worries of having bad WiFi signals.
External Antenna
From its term alone, you would already know what an external antenna is. They are antennas that you can use as an extension of the antenna that’s currently built into your hardware.
They can extend the range of the network as effectively as how WiFi extenders do. You will be surprised at the changes you’ll experience and encounter in using external antennas.
Conclusion
If ever you find yourself stuck in finding out how to position WiFi antennas for the best signal, read this guide and have all of your problems solved!
No need for you to contact an expert immediately. Just follow this guide religiously and you will be able to see improvements in your connectivity!
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.