As a professional who designs and installs home networks, I occasionally see DIY setups that create more problems than they solve. While setting up your own network might seem straightforward, certain missteps can lead to frustration, unreliable connections, and performance issues—especially as smart home technology becomes more advanced.
If you’re tackling your own home network, here are a few common mistakes to watch out for and how to avoid them.
1. Unintentionally Creating Multiple Networks
Most homeowners don’t set out to buy multiple routers, but over time, as they replace equipment or try to fix weak Wi-Fi, they often end up with a mix of different brands and devices that don’t work together properly.
For example:
- You upgrade your internet and get a new modem/router from your provider but leave the old router plugged in somewhere else.
- You buy a Wi-Fi range extender or an off-the-shelf “booster” that actually creates a separate network.
- You add a new mesh system but don’t disable the old Wi-Fi network, causing conflicts.
The Problem: Wireless Roaming and Network Segmentation
Many devices—including smartphones, tablets, and smart home gear—aren’t designed to seamlessly switch between networks. Here’s what happens:
- Your device holds onto the original network. Even if there’s a stronger Wi-Fi signal nearby, most devices will stay connected to the first network they joined until the signal is completely lost. This can result in slow speeds, dropped calls, and frustrating performance as you move around your home.
- Basic web browsing might be fine, but smart home devices won’t work properly. If your Ring doorbell, security cameras, or smart lighting are on one network and your phone or tablet is on another, they won’t be able to communicate—which means you might not be able to check your cameras or control your devices.
💡 The Fix: A Single, Seamless Network
✔ Wired Access Points: These provide the best performance because they connect directly to your network without adding interference or bandwidth loss.
✔ Pre-Wire During Construction or Remodeling: If you’re building or renovating, running network cables for wireless access points is one of the best ways to ensure fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout your home.
✔ Professional-Grade Networking Equipment: A properly designed system ensures seamless coverage and keeps all devices on the same network without dropouts. Our access points offer 99.9999999% reliability, ensuring a rock-solid connection in every part of your home.
2. Installing Wi-Fi Extenders
Wi-Fi extenders seem like an easy fix for weak Wi-Fi, but they often create more problems than they solve. Many people assume that adding an extender will improve coverage, but the way these devices work is often misunderstood.
The Problem: Amplifying a Weak Signal
A Wi-Fi extender doesn’t generate its own internet connection—it simply receives and amplifies the existing signal. This means:
- If the extender isn’t getting a strong signal to begin with, it’s just amplifying a bad connection. If placed in an area with poor Wi-Fi, it will only repeat the weak, unreliable signal, leading to slow speeds and dropouts.
- Signal strength can be misleading. Your phone or laptop may show full bars because the extender is nearby, but that doesn’t mean you have a strong connection to the internet. If the extender itself has a weak source, it won’t have enough data to work with, no matter how strong the bars look.
- Bad placement makes things worse. Many people install Wi-Fi extenders in areas where they already have poor Wi-Fi, thinking it will fix the issue. In reality, the extender needs to be placed where it can still receive a strong Wi-Fi signal from the main Wi-Fi source—otherwise, it’s just repeating a weak connection.
💡 The Fix: A Smarter Way to Extend Wi-Fi
✔ Use wired professional-grade access points whenever possible. A hardwired connection eliminates signal loss and ensures full-speed performance.
✔ If you must use an extender, place it where it can still receive a strong Wi-Fi signal, not in a dead zone.
✔ A properly designed network ensures full-speed, reliable coverage without relying on extenders as a band-aid fix.
3. Undersizing the Network (Square Footage Matters)
Many homeowners assume that any off-the-shelf router or Wi-Fi system will provide enough coverage for their entire home. But if your home is over 3,000 square feet, most consumer-grade solutions aren’t designed to handle that much space effectively—especially when you factor in real-world obstacles.
The Problem: Limited Wi-Fi Coverage
Most Wi-Fi routers or all-in-one modem/router combos are only designed to cover about 1,500 square feet under ideal conditions. But in a real home, factors like:
✔ Ductwork
✔ Tile or stone fireplaces
✔ Mirrors
✔ Thick walls and floors
… all reduce the range and strength of the Wi-Fi signal, meaning coverage could be much worse than expected.
Even some solutions marketed as “whole-home Wi-Fi” have their limits. A Google Fiber installer I spoke with confirmed that their solution is only appropriate for homes 3,000 square feet or smaller. Beyond that, coverage gaps and weak connections become a real issue.
💡 The Fix: A Network Designed for Your Home’s Size and Layout
✔ A single consumer-grade router isn’t built for large homes. Instead of adding extra routers (which creates more problems), the right approach is a properly designed network that ensures seamless coverage.
✔ Wired professional-grade access points placed in key locations provide strong, uninterrupted Wi-Fi throughout the home without signal loss.
✔ Network design should consider walls, materials, and layout—not just square footage. A professional installation accounts for all the obstacles that impact Wi-Fi performance, ensuring consistent coverage in every room.
Final Thoughts
Setting up a home network isn’t just about speed—it’s about stability, coverage, and reliability. A solid Wi-Fi signal in every room ensures that smart home devices work properly, streaming stays smooth, and connections remain strong.
If you’ve ever struggled with weak Wi-Fi, dead spots, or devices that don’t connect the way they should, some of these DIY mistakes may be the reason. Addressing them can make a world of difference in your day-to-day experience.
🚀 Building or remodeling? Let’s talk about pre-wiring for access points so your network performs flawlessly for years to come.