How To Move Your Router or Modem to Another Room or Upstairs: A Step-by-Step Guide

A WiFi router is a lot like a hub in a home network. It helps organize and transmit all of the data in your home, whether it’s video streaming or a phone call. With so many things going on in one room, it’s understandable if your WiFi router or modem might get crowded and thus would want to move it to another room or upstairs.

Wifi is a necessity these days. We use it for work, school, and socializing. And because we use it so much, we need a strong signal that can reach all corners of our home or office. However, your router may not be positioned in the best location to provide the signal you need. Here’s how to move your wifi router to another room – and why you should.

Probably not an issue if you have just one person in the house, but when there are multiple people with different devices all competing for bandwidth, that’s when you’ll need to move your router to another room or upstairs. Here are some helpful tips to help you do just that.

What is an internet router?

The internet router is a device that connects your modem with the rest of the world. You can typically find them in your home office or living room, but you can move them to other rooms. They provide you with an internet connection and allow you to browse the web, send messages, and download anything from movies to music.

There are two ways for moving an internet router: physically moving it or changing its location through software. When physically moving an internet router, you will need to disconnect it from your modem and connect it to a new location using a cable.

This can be hard if there is no available place for you to place your internet router at the current location. It’s important to note that we do not recommend the physical movement of an internet router if there is more than one connected device (i.e., modem and computer).

When changing your location using software, you will need access to your router’s admin page on a computer that has access to the administration settings for the router. You’ll need access to this computer when connecting wirelessly in another area of your home so that you can change its wireless settings while still being within range of your current network name and password.

What are the benefits of moving your WiFi router to another room?

Moving your router to another room is a great way to get the most out of your WiFi. Here are some of the benefits you might see:

• Improved signal strength
• Decreased interference and increased speed
• Better use of available bandwidth
• Easier access to devices in other rooms
• Added privacy, depending on your situation

Related content: Best WiFi Routers for Long Range (2021 Routers for 2000, 2500, 3000, 5000 sq. ft. Large Home)

How to change your WiFi settings

If you’re like most people, your WiFi router is in one place. But if your family is growing or you have multiple devices in the home, it might be time to move your router to a different room.

To change the WiFi settings on your router, you’ll need to sign into it with an account that’s been given access to change settings. If you don’t have this account set up, contact your ISP for help setting it up.

Open the control panel of your router and look for the “Network” tab. Here, you’ll find options for connecting and disconnecting devices from the network. For instance, if you want to connect a new device, check off “Add another device” and follow the directions on the screen. To disconnect a device from WiFi, simply uncheck its name from “Connected Devices.”

Related article: How to Find Hidden WiFi Router

How to move your internet router to another room 

Pick a new location for your router

If your router is in a room with a lot of traffic, it’s going to be harder for your computer or other devices to get on the network and access the internet. If you’re experiencing problems with your wifi, this might be the reason why.

Switch out your router for a new one that is closer to where people will be using it, like near a television or by the front door. You can also move your device, like an Xbox One X or PS4 Pro, to another area of the house if you’re having trouble connecting.

Disconnect from the old network and reconnect with the new one

First, disconnect from your old network. This involves unplugging the router and physically moving it to another room. When you reconnect with the new one, you’ll need to reconfigure it. You will likely change the default password, so you’ll have to remember what it was in order to reconnect.

Next, set up your connections under the new network settings. This can be as simple or complicated as you want, but at least make sure that your data is transmitting through this new network and not the old one.

Only after all of that is done should you turn on any devices that are still connected to your old router and try connecting them again to the new one.

Additional reading: How to Improve the WiFi Signal Upstairs | How to boost Wi-Fi signal at home or office

Move your devices to the new location

First, you’ll want to make sure the new room is big enough for your router. It’s not a good idea to switch it out for one that’s too small. A good rule of thumb is about 10 square feet of space per device.

Next, you’ll need to find a place in your new room where you can place your router. You may be able to put it right on top of a wall socket. If not, you’ll have to mount it onto the wall somewhere or set it on a nearby table or shelf.

Once that’s done, you’ll have to connect the power cord and internet cord running from your current router. And plug them into the corresponding jacks on the new router. Then, just follow any easy-to-follow instructions provided by your new router and start using it!

Related topic: Best Routers for Home Automation (Smart Home Routers)

Connect the new router to the modem

The first step to moving your router is to connect the new router to the modem. You can only do this if you have a wired modem and wireless router. If you’re unsure, check your existing modem’s device list in the settings app on your phone or tablet. If it has an Ethernet port, you’re good to go!

Once you’ve confirmed that you have a wired modem, plug one end of a LAN cable into your old router’s Ethernet port and plug the other end into the “WAN” port on your new router. This will begin transferring all of your old network settings from the old router over to the new one.

Why You Need to Move Your WiFi Router

A lot of people have a tendency to put their wifi router in the same location for years on end. However, it’s important to switch up your router’s location if you want it to perform optimally.

If you keep your wifi router in one place and that spot is blocked by walls or furniture, it might not get the signal it needs to function properly. If the device isn’t getting enough wireless power, the signal will be weak.

On top of that, moving your wifi router can help improve stability, too. If your current location is an area where there are a lot of electrical signals (such as a television or old phone line), you might experience some interference with your wifi signals. So moving devices around could also help with this issue.

However, if you want to move your wifi router and don’t know how to do it safely, there are some helpful tips available! Here are some tips on how and why you might need to move your wifi router and some helpful information on the subject!

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Tips on How to Move Your Wifi Router

Location: First, think about where you are going to place your wifi router. Make sure the location will have an unobstructed line of sight to both your modem and your devices that connect to it.

Speed: Next, make sure the area is well-ventilated. Place the router in a central location that’s close to outlets.

Power: Lastly, don’t forget power! Ensure the router has a strong connection with enough outlets for all of your devices.

Things to Consider Before Moving Your Wifi Router

Location

If you want to move your wifi router, it’s important to make sure that there’s enough space for the device. In a small apartment or dorm room, there may not be enough space for the device. Make sure that you’re not going to need to physically move the router in order for it to work in your desired location.

Wireless range

When moving your wifi router, it’s also important to consider how far the device will reach from its current location before losing signal. If you’re moving your router into a different area of your home or office, keep in mind how far you’ll have access to the wireless signal.

Isolation

Are you and all other people in your household on the same wifi network? If so, is that isolated wireless network secure? Consider if all of your devices are on a secured wireless network before moving your wifi router into another area of your home or office.

How to Move Your Internet Modem to Another Room: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

You might have been searching for a solution on how to move your modem, and found one! But there are many questions you might be wondering about. How do I know where to put my internet modem? Which things should I avoid when moving my modem? What about the wiring? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Here is a step-by-step tutorial with tips and tricks that will help you with the next move of your modem.

Find a new place for your modem

One of the things you might have noticed on the internet is that the places where your modem is installed are different from the places where your modem used to be located.

There is a reason for this, and it’s not because when you bought a new modem, you didn’t know how to install it! The internet itself has changed over time, and so have the places where your modem was installed.

You probably don’t want to move your modem now (unless it’s necessary; check our article on moving your modem). Instead, we recommend finding a new place for your modem in an area that suits you best.

Disconnect from the old modem

If you are moving your modem, there are a few steps that need to be completed before your modem can be disconnected.

You will first want to perform a power outage test on the old modem in case it blows up. This is because if the old modem blows up, you may not be able to reconnect it.

Additionally, this test will give you an idea of how much electrical current would flow through your new modem and/or whether or not it is compatible with your internet service provider.

Unplug the old modem and connect with a new one

To be successful with your modem move, you will need to disconnect the old modem and connect to a new one. To do this, you will have to unplug your old modem and plug in a new one. If you have an older modem that is plugged into the wall, you can keep it there so that it doesn’t get damaged by the moving truck.

If your old modem has already been mounted on the wall, make sure to keep it safe because it might pose a danger if it starts getting damaged after the moving truck comes.

When moving a modem from one location to another, always make sure that you don’t get any of your cables cut or pulled when lifting or moving the equipment. You should also put plenty of tape on all of your cables so that they won’t be accidentally damaged by moving trucks or other people while transporting them around.

Move the old modem and connect to the new modem

Before you move your modem, take a look at the old and new modems. You’ll be able to find out which one is which by checking the serial number on the back of the modem. The serial number should start with 9, 8, or 7 (0-9).

There are four steps in this tutorial:

1. Remove power from your modem, then unplug it from its electrical outlet.

2. Take off wall plates and connectors that are attached to your modem and place them in a bowl or container for safekeeping.

3. Connect your computer to the new modem using a USB cable, then turn on the computer.

4. Download and install the software that was installed on your old modem, if needed (if you’ve already installed it).

Connect to the new modem

If you don’t know where to put your internet modem, you can use our handy guide to help you find the correct spot. But before that, let’s talk about how to connect the modem. You can find it at your local phone company but if not, here is a guide on how to plug in the modem! Keep in mind that every modem is a bit different so check your manuals for specifics.

For this step, we are going to use our own router so first, find the Ethernet port closest to your modem and unplug the power cable from it. Next, connect your modem directly into one of the ports with an Ethernet cable. Finally, plug the other end into your computer and make sure everything works fine (you may have to reboot).

Test out your new wiring

Most people have been moving their internet connection to a new modem before. If you’re not sure where to put your internet modem or don’t know what to do, here are some things you can check out before you make the move: Plug your modem into an available electrical outlet.

Moreover, if there is no current coming out, you might have to run it through a wall outlet. If there is any current coming out of the wall outlet, then you need to test it in your modem. Test it again with another electrical outlet nearby to ensure that there isn’t any resistance when plugging the modem into a different electrical wall outlet. Ensure that all wires are plugged in securely and that nothing has fallen off of your cable and onto the floor!

Check in with your service provider

One of the first things you should do is contact your service provider. You need to make sure that your modem is in good condition, and offer them a referral if they do not take care of it. Your service provider might have already done a couple of similar moves at home and also had some troubleshooting tips for you.

Where to Place Your Modem

1. Make sure your modem is fully plugged into the wall and that all the cables are properly connected.
2. So now that you have the modem fully plugged into the wall, you will find a small opening in the plastic casing of it.
3. You should already know what to do if you’ve already moved your modem before, but here’s a reminder: When you’re moving a modem, make sure that only one end of the cable attached to your modem is connected to the power source. (This ensures that only electricity flows through that cable.)
4. Make sure that any wires connecting to both ends of the cable are intact and not damaged!
5. Once all these things are taken care of, we can move on with our tutorial!

What to Avoid when Moving Your Modem . . .

Moving your modem isn’t a simple task. Depending on where you live, it might take up to three weeks for your modem to be installed and hooked up. This is especially true if you live in an apartment complex or a small town. Even if you are moving into a bigger place, it may take more time because the installation of your modem might involve wiring work.

If you move in the next few weeks, here are some things to avoid when moving into a bigger place.

Don’t forget to ask your landlord about any fees or charges he might add to what you’re paying now so there are no surprises later on. You don’t want to have to pay extra fees before even moving in!

Also, make sure that your local electrician has been properly trained before being hired. This will minimize any unexpected situations during the installation process that could cause you problems later on down the road.

Related post: Can You Have Cox Internet at Two Different Houses? Two Internet Accounts? 

Conclusion

WiFi routers are usually found near the center of the house. If you’re like most people, your wifi is in a room that’s not very central and your signal can be impacted by walls and other electronics.

You may have noticed that your wifi range is stronger when you’re on one side of the house than the other. Moving your WiFi router to another room can help with this problem! In this blog post, we have gone through you how to move your router to another room. This helps so that you can get better wifi coverage throughout your entire home.

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