Router Placement Tips for Fewer Streaming Interruptions

Router placement is one of the most overlooked factors in streaming quality, and it costs nothing to fix.

Where to put it

• Central to your home, rather than in a back corner or closet
• Elevated, such as on a shelf, instead of on the floor
• Away from thick walls, metal objects, and large appliances

Where to avoid

Cabinets, behind the TV, and next to microwaves or cordless phone bases all interfere with a router's signal in ways that are easy to miss.

If placement alone isn't enough

For larger homes or multiple floors, a mesh system can extend coverage further than repositioning a single router can — see our guide on mesh Wi-Fi for streaming. If a specific room still struggles, running an Ethernet cable is worth considering too — our comparison of Wi-Fi vs Ethernet covers when that makes sense.