HANGING & WALL MOUNTING

Mount a Wi-Fi router or mesh unit on a solid brick or block wall

Fix your Wi-Fi router or mesh unit safely, checking for hidden cables and pipes before drilling.

MT-01Choose the positionPick a spot near a power socket and, if you're using a wired connection, close to your phone line or ethernet point. Keep it away from metal objects, mirrors and thick walls, which can block the signal. Mark the height with a pencil and use a spirit level to keep your mark straight.
1 each · Pencil
1 each · Spirit level
MT-02Gather your toolsLay everything out before you start: drill, masonry bit, detector, screwdriver and a dust sheet. Check the router or mesh unit's mounting plate or bracket to see what fixings it needs.
1 each · Drill
1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm
1 each · Cable and pipe detector
1 each · Dust sheet
MT-03Check for hidden cables and pipes before you drillScan the whole drilling area with a cable and pipe detector, sweeping in overlapping passes. Still treat the wall as if something could be behind it — detectors can miss cables that are deep, in metal conduit, or chased in during an old rewire. Find your stopcock (usually under the kitchen sink) and check it turns, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you're in any doubt, isolate the nearby circuit at the consumer unit before you drill.
MT-04Mark and drill the fixing holesHold the bracket or mounting plate against the wall and mark the hole positions through it, checking it's level. Drill with a 6mm masonry bit to a depth of about 40mm, matching your wall plug length. Blow or vacuum the dust out of each hole, then push the wall plugs in flush with the wall.
2 each · Rawlplug wall plugs, 6mm
1 each · Masonry drill bit, 6mm
MT-05Fix the bracket or mounting plateScrew the bracket or plate into the wall plugs using 4x40mm wood screws. Tighten until snug — don't overtighten, or you risk cracking old plaster or damaging the plug. Check it's still level before moving on.
2 each · Wood screws, 4x40mm
1 each · Screwdriver
MT-06Attach the router or mesh unit and connect cablesClip or slot the router onto the bracket as the manufacturer intended. Connect the power lead and any ethernet or phone cable, then dress the cables neatly with clips so they don't hang loose or trail across the floor.
4 each · Cable clips
2 each · Cable ties
MT-07Test the connection and tidy upPower the unit on and check its status light shows a stable connection. Check your Wi-Fi signal on a phone or laptop nearby. Vacuum up any dust, wipe the wall down and clear away packaging and offcuts.

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