Broadband providers have issued fresh guidance on keeping Wi-Fi strength and broadband speeds around the house in their best state of health. And according to an article in the express online, one of the worst offenders in weakening the signal is in fact a popular kitchen gadget.
Last week it was revealed that fridges can be terrible at disrupting the internet around the home but now it seems another accessory could be equally as guilty of disturbing the speeds you need for surfing the net. Several providers already post tips on their websites to help you get the most out of your broadband and Wi-Fi. Among them is Virgin, which has just pointed a finger at the kitchen microwave, claiming it is not necessarily Wi-Fi's best friend.
It seems that if the microwave oven is in a position between the router and the place where you are accessing Wi-Fi, you might find that your connection is less reliable. In an email send to subscribers, Virgin Media said: "Be aware of stuff that impacts the strength of your signal – walls, doors, microwaves and even fish tanks. Try to position the hub so it has the clearest possible path."
The reason microwaves can interfere with your Wi-Fi is that the frequencies they operate at can clash with those of your Wi-Fi, thus confusing and muddling the signals. And oddly, warm summer weather can also affect your signal – although this is more to do with the router itself.
Virgin says routers operate more efficiently if kept out of direct sunlight. It might sound like obvious advice, but many routers in the home find themselves on window ledges or on table tops under glass roofing. Once they get too hot, many routers will go into safe mode and give a paired-down service.
"If the Hub gets too hot, it could slow down your connection or even grind to a halt altogether. Good placement of the Hub could also mean greater WiFi reach," says Virgin.
But although you shouldn't leave your router on the window ledge it's also vital not to hide it in a sideboard or tucked behind other audio or visual equipment, like televisions, radios, landline telephone bases and baby monitors. Here are some top tips provided by advisers at Virgin, Sky, BT and Martin Lewis's Money Saving Expert website.
Top tips for better Wi-Fi
- Don’t hide the router but put it upright and somewhere it can "breathe".
- Keep it indoors in a cool place, out of direct sunlight.
- Keep it at least 3ft (1m) away from cordless phones or baby monitors.
- Make sure it is as far as possible from big obstructions like cupboards and fish tanks.
Opt for wires where you can, rather than Wi-Fi
Try a wireless booster
Turn off Wi-Fi on devices you're not using
Avoid band-sapping video by switching to audio-only conference calls
Consider extending the router's range by special adapters available in electronics shops and online
Give your computer a spring clean – you could be surprised by the effect this has, by simply rebooting and updating your anti-virus and browser software. You can also help by clearing your cache regularly.
Stop automatic software updates and stop background apps
Consider switching to a speedier provider
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