How to Move a Modem and Router to Another Room

Moving your modem and router to another room can improve Wi-Fi coverage, reduce clutter, or free up space. This guide walks you through the process safely, from disconnecting to reconnecting, and covers common pitfalls and troubleshooting.

What You’ll Need

• Your modem and router (and their power adapters)
• Coaxial cable (if you have cable internet) or phone cable (for DSL)
• Ethernet cable (usually included with the router)
• A screwdriver (if you need to remove wall plates)
• Labeling stickers or tape (optional, to keep cables organized)

Step-by-Step

1. Power down all equipment. Turn off the modem, router, and any connected computers or devices. Unplug the power adapters from the wall outlets.
2. Disconnect the cables. Remove the coaxial or phone cable from the modem, and unplug all Ethernet cables from both the modem and router. Note which port each cable was in (e.g., LAN1, WAN) to make reconnection easier.
3. Check the new location. Ensure the new room has a cable outlet (coaxial or phone jack) that is active. If you’re moving to a room without one, you’ll need to have a technician install a new outlet or use a longer cable from the existing outlet.
4. Move the equipment. Carefully carry the modem and router to the new room. Avoid placing them on the floor, in a closed cabinet, or near heat sources.
5. Connect the service cable. Plug the coaxial or phone cable into the wall outlet and then into the modem’s corresponding port. Hand-tighten the coaxial connector to avoid stripping it.
6. Connect the router to the modem. Use an Ethernet cable to connect the modem’s LAN/Ethernet port to the router’s WAN or Internet port (usually labeled and often a different color).
7. Power up the modem. Plug in the modem’s power adapter and wait for it to fully boot. This can take 1–3 minutes. The lights should stabilize (usually a solid online/DSL light).
8. Power up the router. Plug in the router’s power adapter and wait for it to start. The Wi-Fi lights should turn on within a minute.
9. Reconnect your devices. If you use wired connections, plug your computer or other devices into the router’s LAN ports. For Wi-Fi, reconnect your devices to the network using the same SSID and password as before.
10. Test the connection. Open a browser on a connected device and load a webpage. If it works, you’re done. If not, proceed to the Troubleshooting section.

Common Mistakes

• Not powering down before disconnecting. This can send a voltage spike through the cables and potentially damage the equipment.
• Plugging the Ethernet cable into the wrong port. The cable from the modem must go into the router’s WAN/Internet port, not a LAN port.
• Using a damaged or too-long coaxial cable. A damaged cable can cause intermittent signal loss. Keep cable runs under 100 feet if possible.
• Placing the router in a poor spot. Avoid basements, corners, or behind large metal objects, as these block Wi-Fi signals.
• Forgetting to reconnect all wired devices. If you had a switch or multiple Ethernet connections, make sure they are all plugged back in.

Tips

• Label your cables. Before disconnecting, use stickers or tape to mark which Ethernet cable goes to which device. This makes reconnection much easier.
• Use a surge protector. Plug your modem and router into a surge protector to protect them from power spikes.
• Keep the equipment ventilated. Place the modem and router on a shelf or desk with at least a few inches of clearance on all sides.
• Consider a Wi-Fi mesh system. If you’re moving the router to improve coverage, a mesh system with multiple nodes may be a better long-term solution.
• Write down your Wi-Fi password. You’ll need it to reconnect devices. If you’ve forgotten it, check the sticker on the router or log into the router’s admin page.

Troubleshooting

No internet after moving. First, check that all cables are securely connected. Then, restart the modem and router by unplugging them for 30 seconds and plugging them back in. If the modem’s online light is not solid, the wall outlet may not be active. Test the outlet with another device or contact your ISP.

Wi-Fi is slow or weak. The new location may be too far from your devices or obstructed by walls. Try moving the router to a more central, elevated position. Also, check for interference from other electronics (microwaves, cordless phones) and try changing the Wi-Fi channel in the router settings.

Some devices connect, others don’t. This is often a Wi-Fi band issue. Make sure your router is broadcasting both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and that the devices that fail are not too old to support the newer band. You may need to log into the router and enable a mixed mode.

The router’s WAN light is off. This means the router isn’t getting a signal from the modem. Check the Ethernet cable between them and try a different cable. Also, verify the cable is in the correct port (WAN/Internet).

You forgot your Wi-Fi password. If you can’t find it on the router label, you can reset the router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 seconds. Then use the default credentials printed on the label to log in and set a new password.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my modem and router myself, or do I need to call my ISP? You can usually move them yourself if the new room has an active cable outlet. If not, you’ll need to schedule a technician visit to install a new outlet.

What if my new room has no coaxial or phone jack? You have a few options: run a longer cable from the existing outlet (if feasible), use a MoCA adapter to send internet over coaxial wiring, or contact your ISP about installing a new outlet.

Will moving the router affect my Wi-Fi settings? No, your Wi-Fi network name and password are stored in the router’s memory, so they will remain the same. Your devices should reconnect automatically.

How long does it take for the modem to reconnect? Typically 1–5 minutes. If it takes longer, power cycle both devices again.

Can I use a longer Ethernet cable between the modem and router? Yes, but keep it under 100 meters (328 feet) for reliable performance. For most home setups, a 1–2 meter cable is fine.

What should I do if my internet is still down after trying everything? Contact your ISP’s customer support. There may be an outage in your area, or your account may need a refresh.

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