Need help with wireless router placement...

[nfmmalice]

I know my router placement isn't optimal, but that's where the Cable company put their wireless router and I haven't had a chance to move it. I'm running a Nighthawk X6 AC3200 router, and it is currently placed in the Front half of the house down at the bottom of the picture. I get EXCELLENT reception in the Front Living Room, but the Wireless signal starts dropping off at the First Bedroom, and it only "decent" in the back family room. Also, since it's on the Opposite wall of the Microwave in the kitchen.. whenever anyone decides to reheat food, it kills the Wireless signal.

I'm looking to try and move the router to a more central location where I can get Good Signal throughout the House and Garage, with the most important locations being the Living Room, Family Room, Front Bedroom, and Master Bedroom.

Given the amount of travel through walls that the signal has to do, where would be the best place to mount it?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

http://

 

[boosted1g]

What it comes down to is if you can run your own cable through walls/ceiling/crawlspace or if you are limited to the location of a coax port.
As well as being able to add power if not there.

The ideal location for a centralized installation would be along the bathroom/hallway wall near the kitchen.
THe issue is that there is no coax cable there so you either need to run coax there for modem, or run ethernet between cable modem and your rotuer.

If you do not have the tools/skills to run your own cable in the house (or if you are only renting the house) is to move your router at least 6-10 feet farther away from the microwave. Then get a powerline networking adapter and an access point (or router reconfigured as an access point). Then you can put access point in far back bedroom (or middle bedroom) and then use the powerline adapter to provide the link beetween the primary router and the access point. You will want at minimum an av1000 powerline adapter.

 

[TMTOWTSAC]

The first rule of thumb is to put it as centrally located to the target destinations as possible. The second is to get some elevation, even if that means just putting it on top of a bookshelf or something. Anything other than being on the floor or waist level on a table. Finally, avoid proximity to sources of interference, as you've already seen with your microwave.

On paper, it looks like the three best places to try would be the family room where it borders against the bathroom wall, the master bedroom against the master bath wall, and the bedroom against the living room wall. In actuality, there are always dead spots and interference and so forth so the only way to know is to try.

As far as walls go it depends. Drywall, plywood etc are usually fine. Metal, concrete, tiles, thick wood or glass and so forth can reduce the signal. Something like a silver-backed mirror can completely block a signal, so keep that in mind when a signal passes through a bathroom.

 

[velocityg4]

Use a TP-Link AC1200 PoE WiFi Range Extender. On one end you will plug the PoE into a router LAN port. At the other end you will plug in the WiFi module into a wall outlet. I'd suggest as far down the hallway as possible. To maximize coverage. You can also add more TP-Link PoE adapters to any room you want. So that devices can have a hardwired connection.

Then use the same SSID, Network Key and Encryption type (ie WPA2 AES). That way your devices will connect to the strongest signal automatically.

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1200-Extender-Powerline-TL-WPA8630/dp/B01A90CH4M/

 

[nfmmalice]

Awesome!

Thanks for the responses. My First thought was the Wall where the Junction to the Kitchen/Bath/Bedroom/Hallway meet. I can run a Network line without a Problem, so I'll dothat tomorrow and see how it works.