How to Position Router Antennas
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Most people think about router features like speed, power, and Wi-Fi protocols, but the antenna position matters, too. Here’s how to position router antennas for the best performance.
If your Wi-Fi router has feet, set the router on them and not on its side. If the router has feet on more than one side, you can choose either position.
Kittichai Boonpong/ Getty Images Locate your router’s antennas. If you can’t find any external antennas, your router has only internal ones.
Pea San Ratn Dilk/ Getty Images If you want coverage for only one floor, position some vertically and some horizontally.
Vladimir Nenov/ Getty Images Manufacturers typically recommend that all antennas point straight up, but Wi-Fi works fastest when the router antenna and the device antenna are positioned the same way. Laptops tend to be horizontal, but the antenna positions for phones and tablets depend on how you hold them.
For coverage on more than one floor, most manufacturers recommend positioning your Wi-Fi antennas at different angles, depending on how many your router has. Eshma/ Getty Images Two antennas: Both pointing straight up or one pointing up and one to the sideThree antennas: Middle straight up and the sides ones at a 45-degree angleFour antennas: Two straight up and two at 45-degree angles in opposite directions
After initial setup, measure your Wi-Fi signal strength in various positions throughout your coverage area. Begin with your manufacturer's recommended positioning. Note the signal strength and speed in various locations in your coverage area.
There are many ways to view your Wi-Fi signal strength and speed. macOS makes it easy right on the desktop. Hold command + option and click the Wi-Fi symbol in the upper right corner. Look at the RSSI and the Tx rate. The lower the RSSI, the better, and the higher the Tx, the better.
Reposition your antennas and test again until you have the optimum setup for you.
FAQ How can I boost my Wi-Fi signal with an internal antenna? There are several ways to boost a Wi-Fi signal. For example, you can experiment by repositioning your router in different locations to avoid physical obstructions and radio interference or change the Wi-Fi channel. Other methods include adding an amplifier, a wireless access point, or a Wi-Fi extender. What is the advantage of detachable antennas on a router? You can replace the Wi-Fi antennas on a router if they are detachable. It can be beneficial because you can replace an antenna with a stronger omnidirectional, high-gain directional, or external antenna to improve the router's performance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Get Better Wi-Fi: Here's The Best Place for Your Wireless Router How to Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength When and How to Turn Off Wi-Fi on Your Devices How to Extend Wi-Fi Outdoors How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Drops Can't Connect to the Internet? Try These 10 Tips Replacing the Wi-Fi Antenna on a Wireless Router 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router The 9 Best Ways to Boost a Wi-Fi Signal The 9 Best Linksys Routers of 2022 What Is the Range of a Typical Wi-Fi Network? How to Fix It When a 5 GHz Network Isn't Working What Is Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO) Technology? How to Choose and Use the Best Over-the-Air Antenna for HDTV How to Fix Chromecast Audio Delays SureCall Flare Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit Review: An All-Around Great Value Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
How to Position Router Antennas
Hint: It's not just straight up and down
By James Huenink James Huenink Writer Concordia University Wisconsin Concordia Seminary James is a writer and copywriter who has written for various publications including VPNside.com, The Federalist, Amendo.com, and Brew Your Own Magazine. lifewire's editorial guidelines Published on November 9, 2021 Reviewed by Chris Selph Reviewed by Chris Selph Chris Selph is a CompTIA-certified technology and vocational IT teacher. He also serves as network & server administrator and performs computer maintenance and repair for numerous clients. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking Routers & Firewalls The Wireless Connection Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & WirelessWhat to Know
For a one-floor home, point half up and half sideways (for a multi-floor home, the angles depend on the number of floors).Two antennas: Point both straight up or one straight up and one to side. Three antennas: Point center up and outside ones at a 45-degree angle.Four antennas: Two straight up and two at 45-degree angles.Most people think about router features like speed, power, and Wi-Fi protocols, but the antenna position matters, too. Here’s how to position router antennas for the best performance.
How Should Wi-Fi Antennas Be Positioned
When positioning router antennas, there is a simple method and a complex one. The approach to each is a little different.The Simple Method for Positioning Router Antennas
The simple method follows a pattern that works in most situations. It works best if you want good performance but don't care about getting the best performance.If your Wi-Fi router has feet, set the router on them and not on its side. If the router has feet on more than one side, you can choose either position.
Kittichai Boonpong/ Getty Images Locate your router’s antennas. If you can’t find any external antennas, your router has only internal ones.
Pea San Ratn Dilk/ Getty Images If you want coverage for only one floor, position some vertically and some horizontally.
Vladimir Nenov/ Getty Images Manufacturers typically recommend that all antennas point straight up, but Wi-Fi works fastest when the router antenna and the device antenna are positioned the same way. Laptops tend to be horizontal, but the antenna positions for phones and tablets depend on how you hold them.
For coverage on more than one floor, most manufacturers recommend positioning your Wi-Fi antennas at different angles, depending on how many your router has. Eshma/ Getty Images Two antennas: Both pointing straight up or one pointing up and one to the sideThree antennas: Middle straight up and the sides ones at a 45-degree angleFour antennas: Two straight up and two at 45-degree angles in opposite directions
The Complex Method for Positioning Router Antennas
If you want to get the best performance out of your router, you’ll need to do some testing because every Wi-Fi setup varies. To begin, you’ll need a method to measure your signal strength on your computer, tablet, or phone. Once you have a way to record signal strength, you can test different positions for your antennas.After initial setup, measure your Wi-Fi signal strength in various positions throughout your coverage area. Begin with your manufacturer's recommended positioning. Note the signal strength and speed in various locations in your coverage area.
There are many ways to view your Wi-Fi signal strength and speed. macOS makes it easy right on the desktop. Hold command + option and click the Wi-Fi symbol in the upper right corner. Look at the RSSI and the Tx rate. The lower the RSSI, the better, and the higher the Tx, the better.
Reposition your antennas and test again until you have the optimum setup for you.
Do the Antennas on Routers Do Anything
A Wi-Fi router's antennas are more than just decoration. Home Wi-Fi routers typically have two types of antennas, internal or external antennas. Internal antennas are inside your Wi-Fi router, and they typically broadcast signals in every direction. Manufacturers design their position to optimize signal coverage, so you don't have to worry about it. External antennas are the moveable antennas you're likely to see on a router. Manufacturers can design them to stick out the back, sides, or even surrounding the whole router. These antennas broadcast Wi-Fi signals in a donut pattern, sideways from the antenna. So, an antenna pointed straight up will broadcast a signal sideways, expanding as it goes. An antenna pointed to the side will broadcast one up and down.FAQ How can I boost my Wi-Fi signal with an internal antenna? There are several ways to boost a Wi-Fi signal. For example, you can experiment by repositioning your router in different locations to avoid physical obstructions and radio interference or change the Wi-Fi channel. Other methods include adding an amplifier, a wireless access point, or a Wi-Fi extender. What is the advantage of detachable antennas on a router? You can replace the Wi-Fi antennas on a router if they are detachable. It can be beneficial because you can replace an antenna with a stronger omnidirectional, high-gain directional, or external antenna to improve the router's performance. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Get Better Wi-Fi: Here's The Best Place for Your Wireless Router How to Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength When and How to Turn Off Wi-Fi on Your Devices How to Extend Wi-Fi Outdoors How to Fix Wi-Fi Connection Drops Can't Connect to the Internet? Try These 10 Tips Replacing the Wi-Fi Antenna on a Wireless Router 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router The 9 Best Ways to Boost a Wi-Fi Signal The 9 Best Linksys Routers of 2022 What Is the Range of a Typical Wi-Fi Network? How to Fix It When a 5 GHz Network Isn't Working What Is Multiple-In Multiple-Out (MIMO) Technology? How to Choose and Use the Best Over-the-Air Antenna for HDTV How to Fix Chromecast Audio Delays SureCall Flare Cell Phone Signal Booster Kit Review: An All-Around Great Value Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies