Should a WiFi extender be in the same room as a router?

Should Your Wi-Fi Extender Share a Room with Your Router? The Surprisingly Simple Answer

The placement of your Wi-Fi extender is crucial for maximizing its effectiveness. While the common advice of “place it midway between your router and your dead zone” is accurate, the question of whether it should share a room with your router is surprisingly nuanced and often misunderstood. The simple answer: generally, no.

The instinct to keep the extender close to the router stems from the belief that proximity guarantees a strong signal. While a strong initial signal is necessary, it’s not the only factor. Think of it like this: your router is the water source, your extender is a secondary pump, and your devices are the thirsty plants. Placing the pump right next to the source is inefficient if the plants are far away.

The most effective placement of a Wi-Fi extender is typically midway between your router and the areas experiencing weak Wi-Fi signals. This strategically positioned “relay station” receives a strong signal from the router and then rebroadcasts it to a wider area, extending the network’s reach. Keeping it in the same room as the router, especially a relatively small room, often negates this advantage. The extender will simply be extending the signal within the same area already covered effectively by the router. This results in unnecessary signal overlap, potential interference, and a less efficient use of your network resources.

Imagine you have a router in your living room and weak signal in your home office, which is on the opposite side of the house. Placing the extender in the living room (same room as the router) does little to help your office. However, placing it in a hallway or central location between the living room and office dramatically improves the signal strength in the office.

Key Considerations:

• Physical Obstacles: Walls, furniture, and appliances all significantly weaken Wi-Fi signals. The extender should be positioned to minimize interference from these obstacles.
• Signal Overlap: Avoid excessive overlap between the router and extender’s signals. This can lead to network congestion and slowdowns.
• Interference: Other electronic devices, like microwaves and cordless phones, can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. Position the extender away from these devices, regardless of its distance from the router.
• Extender Type: Different extender types might have varying optimal placement strategies. Consult your extender’s manual for specific recommendations.

In conclusion, while the extender needs a strong signal from the router to function, this doesn’t necessitate their co-location. Strategic placement midway between the router and your Wi-Fi dead zones almost always results in significantly better performance than keeping the extender in the same room as your router. Prioritize a strong signal for the devices you need to connect, not just for the extender itself.