A router must get positioned at the center of the area or building to ensure a secure internet connection. A router in the basement is not a good idea. It introduces various obstructions mentioned in this article. But, you can conquer them by using repeaters, mesh networks, powerline adapters, and Ethernet cables.
Challenges In Keeping A Router In Basement
A basement may have thick cement walls. Your router will emit strong signals, but they will get weaker while penetrating through walls. The walls may contain various materials such as electronic devices and masonry blocks that emit different frequencies. It also occurs if you keep the router in the garage, attics, or another room. But, the basement is one of the farthest and most challenging places.
It will get more challenging if the router remains near a large metal object or the floor. These things weaken the signals more. Other negative factors affecting the internet signals are steel, floor heating mechanism, concrete walls, a house with an L shape, and lead paint. So, cement, concrete, and metal are vital factors.
What To Do If The Router Is In Basement?
The best preventive measure here is to take the router out of the basement and place it in a better place. But, if it is not possible for you, you may try the following curative methods:
Use Of A Repeater
A repeater will receive, amplify, and retransmit the Wi-Fi signals to you. You may put it in the middle of your device and the router to get better internet signals. Do not forget to configure it. It will increase the coverage area by 50%. You may also use a Wi-Fi extender that gets more reliable than the repeater.
A repeater only duplicates the signals. So, do not worry about the difference in networks. You cannot take the repeater too far away from the router. But, it will work if the router is in the basement.
Use A Mesh Network
You may use the mesh network with your current router or use a new one. Put the network in bridge mode. It works even if one of the nodes fails. Each node communicates with the other and acts as a daisy chain. But, installation and maintenance are costly and complex. So, in this case, you will be using multiple routers that access the same Wi-Fi network.
Use Ethernet Cable
It is a cheaper and more reliable way to deal with a router in the basement. Ethernet cables provide faster internet access than a router. Radio signals and frequencies do not interfere with these cables. In this structure, you connect the Ethernet port to the router and the latter to your device using the Ethernet cables.
Setting up the cables can get tedious initially. But, you will get a faster internet connection. This structure will save you from sharing your internet connection with outsiders.
Use The Powerline Adapters
A powerline adapter gets plugged into the wall. You can connect it to your router using an Ethernet cable, and another adapter must get plugged into your room. Finally, you must pair both of them to access the internet connection. They must get plugged into the outlets sharing the same circuit. It is an expensive setup but will work with the router in the basement.
Long Range Routers
The latest routers are advanced and can get adapted to obstructions. They can work better in basements without additional requirements. However, you must purchase a router wisely.
The following are the long-range routers that can penetrate through thick walls better for basements:
Motorola MG7550 Modem RouterTP-Link Archer A7. Netgear Nighthawk R7000 Router. ASUS RT-AC88U. TP-Link Archer AX10, and more.
Conclusion
The basement or attic will be the wrong place if you have an older router and want to access the internet at a higher speed. You must also remove obstructions near the router though it is present in a place other than the basement. So, you may use Ethernet cables, repeater, powerline adapters, or mesh network or purchase a new router wisely. You can enjoy a faster internet connection even after being far from the router using these ways.
What Is The Ideal Router Speed If It Is In The Basement?
Answer:
The Ideal router speed that helps the signals penetrate through the basement walls lies between 1750 Mbps to 5400 Mbps. This range allows you to choose the latest router wisely according to your requirements.
Does Router Cause Radiation?
Answer:
Routers cause electromagnetic radiation. The minimum distance between you and the router must be 15 to 20 feet. But, the rays emitted by the routers are not harmful to human DNA. Still, it gets recommended to turn off your routers when not in use and stay away at a safer distance from them.
