Last updated: Mar 3, 2026, 8:52 AM
Wireless Access Point video overview.
If you are a Toast-managed restaurant, Wireless Access Points (WAP) help broadcast Wi-Fi internet throughout your space, so you can connect Toast wireless devices to your network. You will need wireless access points if you need Wi-Fi for your space, because Toast routers do not broadcast Wi-Fi directly. The amount and type of wireless access points you will need depend on the shape, style, and size of your restaurant. Toast offers indoor and outdoor wireless access points for whatever condition suits you best. This article details some best practices we recommend when installing and setting up these devices.
Your Wireless Access Point will arrive pre-configured and set up specifically for your restaurant. If you believe your wireless access point is configured incorrectly, or if you add a WAP but have trouble connecting your devices to it, please contact customer care.
Each service area, like your dining room, lounge, bar or patio will need at least one wireless access point mounted on the ceiling in the center of the area. Each access point can cover about 1,000 sq feet when mounted in the center of a room. Alternatively, for a more practical understanding, consider that each access point can cover an area approximately twice the size of a standard garage.
To determine the number of wireless access points needed for your restaurant, you'll need to measure the coverage area, consider the shape of your floor plan, and note the types of building/wall materials that divide the space. Without considering these factors, estimating the number of wireless access points you need will be rough. If you're looking for a benchmark to make a rough estimate, however, you may approximate one access point per every 1,000 square feet.
Use the following information to generate an improved estimate count for your location.
Knowing the area in square feet or meters is a good start. As mentioned above, a very rough estimate is approximately 1 access point for every 1,000 square feet. The assumptions for this number are below:
A better estimate requires knowing the shape of the area. If the area is an "L", "H" or "T" shaped floor plan, the indoor area may be the same size as the image displayed above but the access points most likely cannot be placed in a location that will be central to all users without the signal traversing multiple exterior or interior walls.
For these scenarios, the following recommendations can be used to generate a rough estimate per floor plan type:
An even better estimate requires knowing the material type of each wall. The number of access points needed will increase if the internal wall material is brick, cement, or cinder block. A rough estimate is approximately one access point every 1,000 square feet or 75 square meters. In most cases, the biggest issue isn't the access point signal reaching clients, but the low-power client signal getting back to the access point.
Note: Toast doesn't supply or support guest or personal Wi-Fi networks. Toast-approved devices should be the only devices on the network for optimal system performance.
Your Wireless Access points need power. You can provide power in one of two ways:
Power over Ethernet (PoE) utilizes Ethernet cables to provide power to your wireless access points. There are two ways to provide PoE within a Toast system:
This diagram demonstrates the three WAP connections to power listed above:
Note: Toast’s Indoor Access Points (PC26) have an AC adaptor port, but do not come with a functioning external power supply.
| The color of your device’s LED lights may vary based on its firmware version and might not accurately indicate connectivity. We recommend confirming your network status by testing your Toast devices directly. No further action is needed if they’re online and working as expected. If your network device is not functioning after following the steps below, please contact Customer Care. |
Refer to the following table to instruct on where to plug each device into the PoE switch:
| Switch Size | Model Number | Uplink Port | Toast Device Ports | Wireless Access Point Ports | Downlink Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-port Switch | SC-08P | 1 | 2 - 5 | 6 - 7 | 8 |
| 24-Port Switch | SC-24P | 1 | 2 - 17 | 18 - 23 | 24 |
| 48-Port Switch | SC-48P | 1 | 2 - 41 | 42 - 47 | 48 |
Refer to the chart below for device port mapping for non-POE switch devices.
| Switch Size | Model Number | Uplink Port | Toast Device Ports | Wireless Access Point Ports w/PoE injector | Downlink Port |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8-port Switch | SC-08 | 1 |
| 2 - 5 |
| 6 - 7 |
| 8 |