Open Router Placement for Better WiFi | Generated by AI
Question: Is it a good home network tip to move the entrance access port router (like from China Telecom) out of a closed cabinet and place it on an open desk for better WiFi connection? For a duplex house with a TP-Link TL-XDR3050 router, would placing just one in the stairwell provide good WiFi signal coverage for both floors?
Answer:
Yes, moving your router (or the main WiFi-emitting device) out of a closed cabinet and placing it in an open area is one of the most effective and commonly recommended home network tips for improving WiFi signal strength and coverage.
WiFi signals are radio waves that get significantly weakened or blocked by physical obstacles. A closed cabinet—especially one with doors, made of wood, metal, or containing other items—acts as a barrier that absorbs or reflects the signal, reducing its range, speed, and reliability in distant rooms. Multiple expert sources and manufacturer guidelines (including TP-Link) explicitly advise against placing routers inside cabinets, closets, or enclosed spaces because this can severely degrade performance.
Key benefits of moving it to an open desk or shelf:
- Stronger overall signal propagation in all directions.
- Reduced dead zones, especially in farther areas of the home.
- Better speeds and stability for devices.
Additional best practices for placement:
- Choose a central location in the home (as close as possible to the middle).
- Elevate it (e.g., on a table, shelf, or high stand, not on the floor).
- Keep it away from walls, large furniture, metal objects, microwaves, cordless phones, and other electronics that cause interference.
- Ensure good ventilation to prevent overheating.
For the China Telecom fiber setup (typically an ONT modem + possibly a combined router), the ONT often needs to stay near the fiber entrance for the optical connection. However, you can:
- Keep the ONT in the cabinet if required.
- Connect your own better WiFi router (like the TP-Link) via Ethernet to the ONT.
- Place your TP-Link router in an open, central spot outside the cabinet.
This is a very common upgrade in fiber homes: use the ISP’s device only as a modem/bridge, and let a personal router handle WiFi from a better location.
Regarding your duplex (two-floor) setup with one TP-Link TL-XDR3050:
The TL-XDR3050 is a WiFi 6 (AX3000) router with good range thanks to features like beamforming and multiple antennas. Placing one unit centrally in the stairwell (an open area connecting both floors) is often a solid choice for duplex/two-story homes. The stairwell position helps the signal radiate upward and downward more evenly, potentially providing decent coverage across both floors without needing a second unit or mesh nodes right away.
However, real-world coverage depends on:
- House size and layout (total square meters, wall materials—concrete walls block more than drywall).
- Floor thickness and construction.
- Interference from other devices or neighboring networks.
In many two-story homes, a single powerful central router like this can cover both floors adequately for normal use (streaming, browsing, etc.). If you notice weak spots upstairs or downstairs after testing, you could add mesh nodes (the TL-XDR3050 supports EasyMesh) on one floor for better performance.
Summary of the tip:
Yes — pulling the router (or your main WiFi router) out of the closed cabinet and placing it openly (ideally central and elevated, like on a desk in the stairwell area) will almost certainly give you noticeably better WiFi connection and coverage. This is widely confirmed as a top optimization step.
References:
- Linksys Support: Where you place your router matters
- CNET: Wi-Fi Technicians Reveal the 5 Worst Spots to Place Your Router
- NETGEAR: Best Location for My WiFi Router
- TP-Link: How to place your wireless router for optimal reception
- BroadbandNow: Best Place for Your Router