Very often we experience low internet speeds when surfing the internet, and you may belong to this category. These issues limit you from enjoying a better internet connection while using your devices at certain places around your building.
It seems okay in buildings with one floor, but the complications start in a 2-story house. Your need for an extender will also lead you to get a placement guide, but not everyone has access. So, let’s go through the steps in finding the best position for your WIFI extender in a 2-story house.
Why Placement Matters For a WI-FI Extender in a 2-story house?
WIFI coverage and distance are inversely proportional, which means your signal gets weaker as the distance between the router and the device increases. Using one router for a 2-story house will make you experience low network speeds in specific locations.
To get rid of this problem, the best option is to purchase a good WIFI extender. However, the placement matters since you need it to reach locations you frequently stay when surfing the internet. So, check and follow the detailed guide below to help you get the optimum placement of your extender for better reception.
Finding the right location to fix your Wi-Fi extender in a 2-story house
You experience a sense of satisfaction when you get strong Wi-Fi signals in places you need it the most. However, it would be best if you had proper extender placement to experience this sense of satisfaction every time you surf the internet.
Several things go into getting the optimum location, and you should consider them for the best experience with your WI-FI routers. You won’t want to start rearranging your house when your favorite spot in your two-story house becomes a dead zone. Below are the steps that you can implement to get optimal positioning for your extender in a 2-story house:
Consider Your Preferred Signal Reach
Coverage is essential as it helps you satisfy your preferred signal reach when installing your WIFI extender in your house. You need to map out the locations where you frequently use your devices, either by choice or due to activities. It helps you maintain a good WIFI network despite walking around the house for activities or other reasons.
A two-story home has more spots to map out, especially if you use all the floors daily for activities. Your map should also support the next step below since they work together to aid your optimal extender placement.
Note All Dead Spots And Obstructions
Dead spots affect your internet connection as your Wi-Fi network won’t show any reception for your devices there. Sometimes it might be due to an obstruction acting as an obstacle to the signal, and another reason might be distance.
So mapping these spots out as you note your favorite spots gives you a better picture of what you want. You get to know the best locations and places to avoid while finding the best position. It also gives you an idea of the locations you can ignore or remove from your favorites list.
Observe The Power Outlets
Power outlets are crucial to your WIFI range extender placement since you need to keep it plugged in every time. It would be best to ignore your power outlets when creating an even signal coverage around your two-story house. Note where these outlets are and map it to note how the position supports your arrangement when positioning your extender.
Sometimes, the power outlet in the central location of your room or building might not be the best spot for the product. So it would be best if you considered an extension or creating another power outlet with the help of the technician you hire.
Avoid Floor Placements
Floor placements tend to have several limitations to your wireless coverage or the plug-in extender between your devices. The first issue is that several obstructions would affect the coverage you enjoy with floor placements.
Another problem is that it would likely be far from your router, mainly involving the plug-in extenders you use. You should consider fitting your extender over a high place like the ceiling or high walls. It also prevents you from accidentally kicking it while walking or carrying out activities requiring indoor movement.
Minimize Router And Extender Distance
The distance between your router and the Wi-Fi range extender is also crucial as it affects the Wi-Fi performance you get. Farther distance between them prevents you from enjoying a strong Wi-Fi signal, affecting your internet as the signal weakens. Reducing the distance helps create a stronger signal giving you a reliable connection to the internet while in your favorite location.
However, avoid putting both too close to each other to avoid reducing your extender range to other building sections. You can reduce the recommended distance between both devices by a small margin to get the best position.
Consider Using Extensions
Extensions serve as your trump card in situations relating to wired distance, and it helps you bypass that limitation. There are several extension cords that you can use to satisfy different needs depending on the situation that you encounter.
Getting a power extension cord helps you move your cheap Wi-Fi extender to a better location while keeping it plugged in. On the other hand, an ethernet cable extension also enables you to keep your extender connected after moving it to an ideal location. Prioritizing these two helps you maximize your resources and get a better experience with the optimal placement of your extender.
Read The Manual
You should consider reading the product manual and learning its overall features. Manuals give you detailed information about the product, including the wireless signal range and other essential product information.
Another vital information to check is whether the product works with your wireless routers to avoid future issues. Some also include installation tips or guides, which are mainly generalized and might not match your custom needs. Once you have the manual information in place, you should consider the next step, WI-FI coverage.
Don’t Ignore Software Suggestions
Some Wi-Fi extenders tend to come with software that aids installation, including information on the best in-house placement. However, many of these suggestions are generalized and similar to the user manual. The arrangement suggestions are based on common housing arrangements, so you might get matching arrangements but not every time.
You can consider using Home Wi-Fi Alert if your product doesn’t have software to help with your placement. Note that negative dBm on the app signifies a stronger signal, so do not fret when you encounter those values.
FAQs
Which Floor Is Better For Placement Between The First And Second Floor?
The best placement for you depends on the floor on which you use the connection the most based on your activities. You should consider the first floor or second if either holds most of your daily activities requiring a wireless network in your house. If you need the connection on both floors simultaneously, consider placing it high up on the first-floor ceiling.
Does My Extender Need To Be Close To My Router?
Your router needs to be as close to your extender as possible to help you get the best connection. The Wi-Fi signals get weaker as the distance between your router and extender increases, creating a bad experience for you. However, ensure you don’t put them too close to avoid reducing the range of coverage between your intended location and the extender.
Why Does My Router Coverage Not Reach My Room?
You might be experiencing little to zero reception in your room for several reasons, mainly due to distance. One reason is that your room is too far from the router or extender coverage, and another is dead spots. You should consider rearranging your router-extender setup or opt-in for a mesh router if the former doesn’t resolve the issue.
How Many Extenders Should I Use?
You can use multiple wifi extenders to further increase the coverage of your WIFI signals, but there are things to note. Connecting two extenders reduces the signal strength on the second product, so you will experience less efficiency with the network. You can consider connecting both extenders directly to the router and placing them on opposite sides for optimum performance.
Does Internet Speed Reduce With Wi-Fi Extenders?
Internet speeds reduce with Wi-Fi extenders, but it doesn’t occur in all situations, so you might not experience it. The reduction in network speeds occurs after connecting multiple extenders to each other reducing signal quality. However, only people connected to the second to last extenders will feel the speed reduction, unlike the first.
Conclusion
Now that you have read this post, you should know how to find the best location for your extender. Ensure you prioritize fitting your extender over high places and minimizing the distance with your router as stated above. Remember to perform speed tests to aid your extender placement since the best placement varies with buildings. Let us know if this post helps you solve the problem and expect more helpful solutions from us.
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