Spotty WiFi coverage in your home can be maddening, especially when you have household members working, streaming movies, and playing games simultaneously. One person is streaming the latest Netflix series downstairs, while another is exploring new worlds in Minecraft down the hall. Meanwhile, you’re trying to connect for an important business call and keep getting booted out.
Are the gamers and streamers eating up all your bandwidth? You could be trying to stretch your router’s signal over too large a space. Or maybe you’re in a dead zone. Obstacles like thick walls or materials like brick or metal can cause interference. Dead zones can be particularly problematic in larger, multi-story homes and business spaces.
Learn how to set up mesh WiFi and kiss those dropped connections goodbye.
How to set up a mesh WiFi network
Setting up a mesh network at home isn’t difficult and can help solve lags and lost connections by blanketing your home with a strong WiFi signal. Creating a mesh WiFi network boosts your signal by strategically placing nodes, also called pods, throughout your home. Once installed, the mesh network automatically connects you to the closest pod with the best signal strength, giving you robust coverage no matter where you are. Your mesh network only requires one password, so unlike a WiFi extender, you won’t have to log out of the main network to access specific pods.
Before setting up your mesh network, follow our helpful tips for the best results.
Map out your mesh network coverage
To determine how to set up a home mesh network, figure out where any dead zones you’ll need to reach are located. Suppose your current modem or router covers your first floor. But upstairs, the farther you get from the stairwell, the spottier the WiFi gets. In that case, placing a single pod in the upstairs hallway might be enough to carry the signal through the entire second floor.
In most homes, one or two pods can blanket the whole area once connected to your main router. Some systems (such as fiber internet services) will replace your router with a pod that connects directly via the Ethernet to your fiber WiFi and communicates wirelessly with other pods placed throughout the house. Keep in mind the bigger your home, the more pods you’ll need.
Pick your pods and place them strategically
Once you’ve determined how many pods you need, purchase your mesh network setup system. Pod placement is an important consideration when setting up your mesh network. The signal flows from pod to pod, so they need to be able to communicate clearly, with no interference.
Here are some useful tips to keep in mind:
- Place pods on interior walls toward the inside of your home for an optimum performance about halfway between the router and the dead zone you plan to cover.
- Avoid obstructions like walls, appliances, metal, tile, and furniture. These can block the WiFi signal.
- Avoid plugs operated by light switches, which can inadvertently shut off your WiFi signal.
- Minimize interference from other devices that operate on the same frequency, such as microwaves, baby monitors, and wireless headsets. Fortunately, many mesh networks have dual- or tri-band capabilities and automatically switch from 2.4GHz to a quieter band (5GHz or 6GHz) for the best signal strength.
Activate your mesh network pods
Once you’ve placed your pods and plugged them in, they’re ready to be activated. Most systems come with an app that communicates via your smartphone. Download the app and follow the instructions to activate your pods.
The app will likely have you create names for all your pods. Give them simple descriptions so you can quickly troubleshoot issues. For instance, an upstairs hallway pod should be named “upstairs hallway,” and one placed in the kitchen should be called “kitchen.” Keep it simple, so you know which pod is acting up if an issue arises.
Once your pods are activated, your mesh network is set up. Now you’re ready to stream, game, and browse!
How to optimize your mesh network
Are you still experiencing lags or dead zones? Experiment with moving pods to different locations. Putting one closer to your router can strengthen your initial signal, which helps boost it to other pods farther away.
Analyzing your WiFi signal may also help if you still experience issues. Most internet providers have an app that lets you see signal strength, connected devices, and internet speeds. You can also find third-party apps that analyze your home network, allowing you to clock speeds and signal strengths as you move throughout your house.
Many mesh networks, like Quantum Fiber 360 WiFi, come equipped to optimize automatically and constantly watch and refine device connections to keep your network operating at peak performance.
An optimized mesh WiFi network will keep your entire home up and running with seamless coverage. So let those gamers game and streamers stream.
