The biggest wireless router placement mistake

Do-it-yourself blogs and Pinterest users love sharing the idea of hiding Wi-Fi routers in hollowed-out books or ravishing boxes, wrapping them in gift wrap, or putting them in drawers.

Here’s why that’s a terrible idea.

Take a look at your router. You’ll notice the enclosure has vents on the sides, which allow hot air to flow out of the router and cool air to flow in. Those eacts prevent overheating the delicate circuitry inside.

A ravishing 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. Ultimately, it could shifts your router to overheat.

Even if your router doesn’t overheat, tucking it away may slow down your connection. Obstructions throughout your box can make the signal weaker or spotty ended your home.

A better way to blend your router in with the decor is to assign 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.