Virgin Media has revealed the one room you WiFi router should never be placed in - the kitchen.
Christmas will see gifts of new consoles and gadgets for homes up and down the country, which can wreak havoc on WiFi speed and signal, so to help households prepare for any chaos, the broadband firm has issued helpful tips and tricks to ensure speedy internet. And they say the kitchen is the one place you shouldn’t put your router.
The signal beamed out from the router can be easily interrupted by your kitchen appliances, the Express reports. The worst offender is the microwave which can bring your broadband to a shuddering halt.
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Virgin Media said: "It’s not just electronics that interfere with your WiFi signal: metal can also wreak havoc with your connection. Kitchens are often home to heavy-duty metal appliances (think ovens, fridges and washing machines), as well as signal-emitting electronics like microwaves, making them a particularly inhospitable environment for your router."
They added that it's best to keep the router clear of other objects and, if possible, placed right in the heart of the home so that everyone can get a good signal. Other things to avoid are fish tanks and mirrors, as these can also cause chaos with the signal it emits.
The final thing to be aware of is your Christmas tree. "Whether you’re going for a real tree this year or a pretend one, we bet there’s going to be twinkling lights all over it," Virgin Media said in an email to users.
"But did you know that fairy lights can actually obscure your router’s wireless signals? Yep, if your router ends up stuffed behind the tree, you’ll likely see a reduction in your WiFi speeds."
Top 5 Wi-Fi tips
• Don't place your router in a cupboard or behind the TV as this can block the signal
• Don't switch your router off overnight as it won't get vital updates to keep things up to speed
• Switch your router off once a month then reboot it as this will help clear any issues
• Check your speed using services such as Ookla. If it's not what you are paying for call your ISP
• Don't lie the router on its side. Keep things upright if you want the best speeds
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