can i put a router outside

by Dr. Billie Sanford V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

You can move your router as close to your yard or front porch as your Ethernet cable will take you, but that won't always solve the problem. With the increasing number of outdoor smart devices like lighting, security cameras and garage door openers, you need to be able to extend your Wi-Fi beyond your home's exterior walls.

Part of a video titled Can You Use An Indoor Router/Access Point Outdoors?

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Full Answer

Can I mount a WiFi router outside?

There are NEMA boxes made for mounting indoor WiFi routers outside. The fan is very important, however, it will do no good if there is no hole for air to come into the box. Be sure to put a filter over the hole. Air moment should run across the unit.

Why do I need to put my router outside?

I needed to put my router outside because I am sharing my internet with my neighbor. While I originally was going towards a waterproof cabinet, because of high temperatures inside the box I had to add a fan that exhausts at the top. To protect it I mounted it underneath an overhang. FYI: The instruction photos may be a little haphazard.

Where should I place my router in my house?

A better illustration might be a bubble, with the router at the center. That spherical coverage means that you want to put the router in an elevated position, rather than on the ground, where the floor and foundation might get much of your coverage "bubble."

Can I extend my Wi-Fi outdoors?

The idea for extending your Wi-Fi outdoors is to place the mesh router central in your home and put the satellite unit (s) as close to the exterior as you can. There is a limit to how far apart you can place the units though. For example, the Samsung Connect Home recommends that you place each one within 40 feet of the other units.

Can router be placed outside?

You might be tempted to leave an indoor router or satellite unit in a covered area outside or in a weatherproof enclosure. This may work in the short term, but the risk factors are high. The device could overheat or freeze.

How do I setup a wireless router outside?

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How far can I extend my WiFi outside?

Wireless signals can typically transmit up to 1000 feet, provided their path is unobstructed. However, windows, walls and doors are often between your router and you. You may need to help the signal with some tech.

Where should you not put a wireless router?

Below are nine simple steps to help improve your wireless Internet signal:Avoid the kitchen. ... Place your router centrally. ... Adjust the antennae. ... Avoid walls. ... Place it out in the open. ... Avoid electronic items. ... Don't place it on the floor. ... Mirrors and fish tanks.More items...

Can I extend my Wi-Fi to my shed?

Try a Wi-Fi extender If you would like WiFi in your garden shed, then a WiFi extender is a simple piece of technology which connects to your existing WiFi network and extends the signal – acting as a WiFi signal booster.

What is the best way to extend Wi-Fi outside?

The budget-friendly option: WiFi extenders A WiFi extender works by connecting to your router, then repeating that same network signal (SSID) over a broader area. You can place it close to your back yard or plug it into an outdoor outlet to broadcast your WiFi signal outside.

How does an outdoor router work?

A 4G router receives mobile phone signals then provide internet by Wi-Fi hotspot and LAN Ethernet connection. The outdoor router has a built-in industrial-grade mobile modem and high-gain antenna to receive a stronger mobile signal. The outdoor router allows upgrading the 4G antenna to increase the signal reception.

How do I extend my Wi-Fi to outbuilding?

The easiest and cheapest solution, if your outbuilding is within 300 feet, is to stretch an outdoor Ethernet wire (perhaps buried) from your home router to the outbuilding, and then connect a dedicated home Wi-Fi access point to it at the outbuilding. This is pretty simple and not too expensive.

How do I extend my Wi-Fi to my detached garage?

Here are the three most common options for extending your internet connection to a detached garage:Run a long Ethernet cable from the router to a distant computer, like in a garage. ... Install a Wi-Fi range extender in the detached garage. ... Install a powerline networking kit.

What is the best location for WiFi router in a house?

Routers tend to spread signals downward, so it's best to mount the router as high as possible to maximize coverage. Try placing it high on a bookshelf or mounting it on the wall in an inconspicuous place.

What is the best place to put a router in your home?

centralThe best place to set up your router is in a central, unobstructed location to ensure your home Wi-Fi network has a strong signal anywhere in your house. Moving your router even just a few feet might save you from endless connection problems and allow you to get the most out of your internet connection.

Where should router be in house?

Where to place your router for the best Wi-Fi signalPut it in a central location. A radio signal doesn't just broadcast in one direction. ... Place the router in a higher position. ... Cut down on walls, and stay away from windows. ... Clear the obstacles. ... Avoid interference and noise. ... Reposition those antennas.

How do I extend my WiFi to my detached garage?

How do I extend my WiFi signal to another building 400 feet away?

With proper line of sight, you can extend your WiFi signal outside of your building to another using a wireless bridge . A wireless bridge uses a microwave or infrared transmission to span a single Internet connection across two or more buildings.

How can I get Internet outside my house?

One option for getting Wi-Fi anywhere is satellite internet. Much like satellite cable on your TV, this involves sending a signal through a modem to a satellite dish, then to an orbiting satellite. The signal is then bounced back to your dish, your modem, and your connected device.

How do I configure an outdoor access point?

Simply connect the access point to one of the ports of your existing wired/wireless router then configure the access point's wireless settings.Open the access point's web-based setup page by entering the default IP Address “192.168. ... On the web-based setup page, click on Wireless.Enter the Network Name (SSID).More items...

Where to attach antennas to router?

Attach the antennas that came with the router to the outside posts.

How to attach router to plate?

Pull off the sticky velcro backing. Attach the router to the plate and secure with the strap.

How to plug a router into a surge protector?

Put the router power cord in the same hole as the surge protector and plug it in the router. You can plug the other end into the surge protector.

Where to put exhaust fan on box?

Line up the exhaust portion of the fan at the top of the box . Take care that you aren't going to be cutting the mounting plate screw posts. Also give yourself enough room to not cut into the bottom of the box. You'll also need to cut in the back part so the fan will be underneath the plate.

Is It Ok To Put Router Near TV?

Don’t put routers near appliances such as TVs and microwaves. First of all, if the router is behind the TV, the tv will act as a barrier that obstructs the router’s signals. Secondly, electrical devices like TVs can interfere with the router’s signal.

Can You Plug A Router Anywhere?

You cannot plug a router into any random port or socket you find. Additionally, you can’t just move the router to any room you want. A router works with a modem. You have to plug the modem into the router’s WAN port using an ethernet cable.

Where should I set up my router?

The best place to set up your router is in a central, unobstructed location to ensure your home Wi-Fi network has a strong signal anywhere in your house. Moving your router even just a few feet might save you from endless connection problems and allow you to get the most out of your internet connection. To get your router in the best position, do the following:

How many antennas does a router have?

Every Wi-Fi router has one or more antennas for transmitting its signal. On some routers, these antennas are built in to the structure of the device, but more often the antennas stick up from the router like the rabbit ears of an old television and can be moved and adjusted.

How do Wi-Fi signals work?

How to make sure all rooms are in range of Wi-Fi?

Since the Wi-Fi signal goes out in all directions, the best way to make sure that all of the rooms in your house are in range of the signal is to place the router in the most central location possible . Most modern routers have enough range to completely cover a moderately sized home if placed near the center.

Can you get a good Wi-Fi signal in a dead zone?

Depending on the layout of your home, you might end up with dead zones where you simply can’t get a good Wi-Fi signal. This might be in a room that was a later addition to the house or simply an area that’s in the shadow of an abnormally thick wall. An easy solution to this problem is to use an Ethernet cable. Unlike a Wi-Fi signal that’s transmitted in a straight line, you can wind your internet around any obstacle with a long enough Ethernet cable.

Can microwaves interfere with Wi-Fi?

Just as walls and large objects can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal, so can electronic devices. TVs and computers certainly fall into this category, but the biggest culprits are microwaves. The radiation put out by a microwave to cook your food is pretty close to the wavelength of Wi-Fi signals, so it’s almost guaranteed to cause problems for your Wi-Fi if you set them up side by side.

Can a router cover a large area?

If your home is simply too big for your router to handle or has an overabundance of dead zones, you might want to invest in a different kind of router. Long-range routers allow you to cover a much larger area with a single router. There are also Wi-Fi extenders and mesh routers that can allow you to both cover a large area and transmit your signal around obstacles.

What is the best position for a wireless router?

The ideal position for a wireless router, then, is in a central location.

Why do you put a router on a high shelf?

Higher positions allow more signal to cover the areas where you actually use your Wi-Fi, and let the router broadcast with fewer objects impeding the signal (more on that in a moment). When in doubt, take a page from professional installers, who will place routers on high shelves, or even mount them on the ceiling or high on a wall.

Why is it important to have higher positions on your router?

Higher positions allow more signal to cover the areas where you actually use your Wi-Fi, and let the router broadcast with fewer objects impeding the signal.

What is a wireless router?

A wireless router is essentially a wireless access point married to a basic network router, and the convenience of wireless connectivity boils down to one thing – radio waves. Even knowing the basics of how radio signals work will help you ensure that you eliminate the most frequent causes of bad signal and poor coverage.

What band does a router use?

A lot of devices will use the same 2.4-GHz wireless band that your router does.

How far away from microwave should I put my router?

If your router is within 10 feet of a microwave oven, you're probably nuking your Wi-Fi signal every time you warm up a burrito or reheat last night's leftovers. MORE: Best Wi-Fi Routers 2018. 6. Reposition those antennas. Once you've positioned the router itself, you may also want to consider the router's antennas.

How to disrupt wireless signal?

And think about the metal you might not see. A large metal pipe hidden in a wall, a duct running across the ceiling, a cast iron bathtub or a steel security door covered with a wood veneer will disrupt wireless signals just as much as a wrought iron wall-hanging or a big metal filing cabinet.

Can you stream music from your speakers in the backyard?

Whether you’re having friends and family over for a pool party, or you’re just enjoying a late night by the fire pit, rest assured that you can still stream music seamlessly from your speakers in the backyard. The Orbi Outdoor satellite allow you to continuously stream your favorite playlist from anywhere on your property without interruptions.

Can I run WiFi from inside to outside?

Alternatively, running networking wires from inside to outside is complicated and not recommended .

Can I extend my WiFi outside?

Traditional extenders and WiFi boosters often aren’t enough to extend your WiFi outdoors . Your network is complicated by the change in network names, which requires that you manually change your WiFi settings each time you move from the router to the extender.

Can you stream WiFi to a shed?

Perfect for extending your WiFi to the shed, detached garage, or barn, you can stream step-by-step, how-to and DIY videos right to your smartphone or tablet. The Satellite does not need to be kept under cover, and can be mounted on a stand or wall-mounted on the side of your house, garage, terrace or shed, anywhere with access to electrical power, rain or shine.

Does Orbi have an outdoor satellite?

Orbi Whole Home WiFi System now has the perfect outdoor companion – the Orbi Outdoor Satellite (RBS50Y). With this new weather-resistant outdoor satellite, which pairs with your existing Orbi router or Orbi Pro, you can now easily extend your high-performance wireless coverage outdoors, up to an extra 2,500 square feet!

Can You Put A Router In A Cabinet Or Closet?

You absolutely can put a router in a cabinet without losing all your connectivity, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea. It’s a good way to harm the way that you get your wi-fi. If you’re okay with that kind of trade-off, it’s alright to do it. It’s up to you to decide.

What Happens If You Put A Router In A Cabinet?

Putting a router in your cabinet will cause problems, especially if it’s a thick wooden cabinet or something similar. Here’s what you need to know.

Top Router Placement Tips

Now that we explained the basics regarding routers and cabinets, it’s time to give you some smart tips on how to get the most out of your router.

Where Are The Best Places To Hide A Router?

If you don’t like the idea of having it out in the open, there are other ways to get the signal you want. These include:

What prevents hot air from circulating out of router?

Those vents prevent overheating the delicate circuitry inside. A pretty box, a hollowed out book, a drawer or a basket can prevents hot air from circulating out of the router, raising the temperature of the device. ...

What happens if you hide your router in a book?

If you hide your router in a book it may overheat.

How to blend router with decor?

A better way to blend your router in with the decor is to place it behind a picture frame, or set it on a bookshelf. Just make sure that the modem or router has at least 4 inches (10 centimeters) of clearance on each side to give it good air flow.

What Is The Best Place To Put A Wi-Fi Router In A House?

The ideal place to put your router would be in midair. However, since that is hard to do, placing it on an elevated shelf in the center of your house or mounting it on a wall will definitely improve your Wi-Fi signal. To prevent overheating, always ensure there’s at least 4 inches of space between your router and objects around.

How to improve router performance?

If you find that placing your router next to the speakers affects the performance of your router, you can try placing a sheet of metal between the two devices. This should help reduce interference between the two devices, thus improving performance.

Should I Mount My Wi-Fi Router On The Ceiling?

Mounting your router on the ceiling sounds like a good idea especially if you are struggling to get a good Wi-Fi reception or better signal distribution in your house.

Should I Place My Wi-Fi Router In The Attic?

You should avoid placing your router in the ceiling because this could expose it to humidity, dust, and extreme temperatures (especially during the summer), thus causing it to fail a lot sooner. Also, the insulation in the ceiling as well as the ceiling itself could decrease the signal strength causing poor Wi-Fi reception.

Can You Put A Wi-Fi Router Next To The Speakers?

You can put your Wi-Fi router next or near your speakers provided the speakers are shielded. Most speakers found in home theaters, subwoofers, and sound bars are usually shielded to prevent their electromagnetic field from extending too far from the speaker enclosure and interfering with the operation of other electronics such as routers, computers, and TVs.

Can I mount a router on the ceiling?

In addition, the fact that there aren’t very many ceiling mounts for routers plus cables running on ceilings don’t look neat discourages many people from mounting their routers on the ceiling. If your goal is to improve the Wi-Fi signal in your house, a better idea would be to mount the router on the wall or install a ceiling mountable access point.

Can You Put A Wi-Fi Router In A Metal Cabinet?

It is not advisable to put your Wi-Fi router in a metal cabinet because metal such as steel or aluminum significantly degrade the Wi-Fi signal by reflecting waves away from the intended direction, thus causing a poor connection. A better alternative would be to mount your router on the wall or place it on top of a wooden shelf.