Where Is the Best Place to Put Router in 2 Story House? [Fully Explained]

What is the best place to put router in 2 story house? 

That was a common question when it came to two-story homes. 

Signal intensity is dependent on location and distance. 

In this post, we will show you what affects the router placement as well as 9 things to consider when choosing the best place to put wifi router in 2 story house. 

Let’s check it out!

Which is the best location for wifi router in 2 story home?

Why is router placement important?

Finding the best location for a router in our home is important for two reasons: Wi-Fi and wired connections. 

Role of finding the best place for router in 2 story house

Nobody likes to spend money on wiring that runs throughout their home. It's inconvenient, which is why Wi-Fi is so helpful.

Even Wi-Fi has drawbacks since not all signals can reach every part of the home, and the range itself is dependent on the frequency spectrum. 

Fortunately, most routers operate on the two most prevalent frequencies, 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

Speed and range of 2.4GHz

The 2.4GHz frequency band has a larger range. 

It can theoretically go twice as high as 410ft (125m approximately). 

However, in reality, 410ft is plenty of space.

The speed is significantly slower than with the 5GHz frequency. The 2.4GHz band has a maximum speed of 150 Mbps.

It more than makes up for its lack of speed with its range. The 5GHz band is the inverse.

Speed and range of 2.4GHz and 5GHz

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Speed and range of 5GHz 

The 5GHz band has a range of around 230ft (70 meters), which is adequate to cover a whole floor, but the signal quality is unclear. 

Another difference is that, while the 5GHz frequency has a lesser range than the 2.4GHz band, it is significantly quicker.

When it comes to speed, the 5GHz band may reach up to 450 Mbps. It has three times the speed of the 2.4GHz band. 

What affects the router placement?

Modern Wi-Fi routers can deliver signals in all directions.

However, the signals can only reach a certain distance based on the standards and protocols put into the device.

The Wi-Fi coverage you get is also heavily influenced by the location of your router, and several factors determine where the best place to put wifi router in house is.

Let’s find out what affects it!

House type

Depending on the type of house you live in, you should select where is the best place to put a router.

House type affects the best location for wifi router

If you live in a two-story house and want to put the router so that it can give signals to both floors, you should mount it on the ground level's ceiling or the upper story's floor.

Obstructions

Where to place router in 2 story house? Don't hide your router behind a bookcase, a shelf, a sofa, or anything else.

Your router should be put in a location with few obstacles.

Even walls might be an impediment to the router's coverage.

Obstructions will negatively impact router for 2 floor house

Metallic objects

Most, if not all, metallic things interfere with Wi-Fi transmissions.

Thus, the best place for wifi router in 2 story house is away from any desktop computer, TV, refrigerator, or microwave.

A router should never be used in the kitchen.

Most of these appliances transmit signals at the same frequency as Wi-Fi signals, causing interference and reducing coverage.

Best location for router in 2 story house is far from Metallic objects

Choosing the best place to put router in 2 story house

Say goodbye to slow internet and limited access due to a faulty connection.

Here are some of the useful tips for the best router location 2 story house:

1. Elevate your router

2. Avoid metallic objects

3. Place it near the modem

4. Scatter the antennas

5. Avoid obstructions 

6. Avoid electronic devices

7. Put in central position

8. Make space for your router

9. Use a separate router and modem

Elevate your router

Elevating your router means moving it from its default place.

Isn't the most usual place for a router to be a side table beside the computer? You do not want it there.

Sound waves go downhill due to gravity; they spread. As a result, if you position it at the table level, you will not get the best signal.

You can put it on a high shelf, on the wall, or in other places where it's higher.

Many people wonder what the ideal height for WiFi routers is. 

To put it simply, it is between 7 to 8 feet high. 

The signals will be ideal for both one-story and typical two-story houses at these heights.

Elevate your router

Avoid metallic objects

Most of us have a large collection of devices and other metallic things in our homes.

We have PCs, microwaves, refrigerators, and other appliances. 

Putting your network in the kitchen is plainly a bad idea.

The best location for wifi router in 2 story home is a spot away from other electrical equipment, particularly microwaves, for placement. 

Microwaves send signals at the same frequency as wireless routers.

Place it near the modem

Avoid putting your router across the house from your modem is the next tip to find the best place for router in 2 story house. 

While your router can reach far locations, it may be unable to pick up the network from the modem, which is just as bad.

Install your modem in the middle of your home. 

This allows you to elevate and position your router in the upper-central section of your home.

Place it near the modem

Scatter the antennas

Most routers would no longer have antennae. 

Some routers, on the other hand, include 2, even 8 antennas. 

If your router has antennae, aim them in different directions to better and more evenly disseminate the signals.

Avoid obstructions 

Where to place wifi router in 2 story house?

Did you realize that walls have a proclivity to cut off signals?

Furthermore, did you know that all materials reflect a small amount of radiation, and some absorb it more quickly and efficiently than others?

Concrete, bricks, stone, and similar materials absorb it more quickly and strongly.

As a result, installing your router near a lot of walls before it reaches you might also be a source of sporadic and sluggish internet connection.

Avoid obstructions 

Avoid electronic devices

Where to put router in 2 story house?

Certain devices, like microwaves, can compete with the electromagnetic signal that your router emits.

If at all possible, avoid throwing your router into the "pile of equipment" behind the TV. 

If your router has its own area, even if it's only a little portion of it, you'll have more room to change the antennae on the router.

Remember that knowing where your sources of interference are can assist you in avoiding them!

Put in central position

The center placement in your home would be when every room is almost equal distances apart. Avoid putting it in a room or area's corner.

It is not the focal point of your home like the living room. 

It may be near the stairs, the kitchen, the doorway to your living room, or another location.

Remember that the optimal height for your wifi for 2 story house is between 7 and 8 feet for both upward and downward spaces, as well as for other items.

Router for 2 story house should be put in central position

Make space for your router

Remember that the optimal height for your WiFi router is between 7 and 8 feet for both upward and downward spaces, as well as for other items.

Make room for your router

This is due to the positioning of your router near electronics and other obstacles. Place your router in a location where it will have some room to itself.

Note: Avoid putting it in a location that humans constantly inhabit. Water may interfere with the signal of your technology.

Use a separate router and modem

There are several routers and modems available on the market.

They are ideal for tiny houses and flats. 

For multilevel homes, however, it is better to acquire a modem and a router separately.

You can use a separate Wi-Fi router even if you have a combined router and modem equipment.

As a result, if your ISP is situated in an area with insufficient signal, you may install the modem there and utilize a specialized Wi-Fi router to give improved internet coverage from a central location.

Use a separate router and modem

Where to put router in 2 story house?

The physics and principles for installing a router on a one-story home and a two-story house are the same.

Unlike routers, modems have higher strengths beneath them.

Most modems no longer have antennas; instead, their built-in antennae are located at the bottom of the device. 

Routers, on the other hand, disperse and disseminate signal waves over a network.

If your home has two levels, you may place it on the first floor's ceiling or the bottom floor's ground. 

However, keep in mind that it must be placed such that it is centered over the entire home.

Best place for wifi router in 2 story house

How would the 2nd floor receive signals if it was put on the 1st floor's ceiling or the 2nd floor's floor?

It will receive signals, although they may be weaker, especially if the person connecting is far away.

These are the greatest ideas for placing or positioning your router in your two-story home.

By doing so, you may anticipate better-performing and quicker internet connections across your house.

Tips to get the best place to put a router in a 2 story house

When you consider all of the tips for properly putting the router, deciding where to install the router in a two-story house becomes pretty simple. 

Simply describe the rooms you use the most and explore a little.

It is essential to try out different router locations to see which one works best for you. 

If you don't know how thick the walls are, it's critical to conduct some testing. 

Take a wifi speed test to test the wifi signal strength.

Tips to place router in 2 story house

However, the most important thing to remember for a two-story house is to position the router closer to the ceiling. 

A higher rank is required. This example will help you discover the ideal place for your router.

Why is my Internet speed still slow?

Get the best router placement in 2 story home and you've tried all of these techniques but you still don't see any change in your WiFi, the next best thing is to check the quality of your internet connection.

How fast is your Internet? 

You can run a speed test to determine the true speed of your connection. 

You can try it at MySpeed. 

You will receive upload, download, and ping speed figures with only one click and a few seconds of waiting. 

You'll be able to obtain an accurate summary of your network connection from there.

MySpeed - free internet speed test

Is your router still efficient?

Another option is to assess your router. 

• How many meters or yards can it hold? 

• What is the age of your router? 

• How many devices can your router support at the same time?

Some routers have limited wireless network bandwidth and capacity.

For example, your router may only support 10 devices; you are a family of seven with two gadgets each.

Even if you put it in the best possible position, it will still be sluggish due to the router's capabilities. 

If you have an outdated router, chances are you will need to replace it.

Is your router still efficient?