Broadband users in the UK have just received new advice on how to keep their Wi-Fi in tip-top shape, and it looks like another popular kitchen gadget could be to blame for the lackluster downloads. Just last week, Express.co.uk revealed that fridges can be terrible at throttling the internet at home, but it also seems that another accessory many of us use can also hamper browsing speeds.
Virgin Media has just released tips to keep customers connected over the summer months, and they warn that the humble microwave isn’t Wi-Fi’s best friend. Now is a particularly bad time for these cooking appliances to wreak havoc on the home network as millions of us enjoy some time in the garden.
Most properties have their router at the front of the home, with the signal often going through the kitchen to reach the garden. When the microwave heats up the evening meal, users may notice that their connection is much more unreliable.
“Watch out for things that affect your signal strength – walls, doors, microwave ovens and even aquariums. Try to position the hub so that it has the clearest possible path to your green space,” Virgin Media said in an email sent to its customers.
READ MORE: The best UK broadband deals (July 2022): Get a better price, faster speeds or a free laptop!
The reason microwaves are so bad at these speeds is that they often emit the same frequencies as Wi-Fi, and when the two collide, the signal gets jumbled.
As well as advice to turn off the microwave oven, Virgin also warned of the dangers of routers overheating in the summer months.
Virgin says it tests its hubs carefully at different temperatures, but they’re better off out of bright sunlight as they can be affected by extreme heat – it’s a bit like phones and laptops, which often go into safe mode when become too hot.
“If the hub gets too hot, it can slow down your connection or even stop it altogether. Good hub placement can also mean greater WiFi range.”
While you shouldn’t leave your router on a windowsill, it’s also vital that you don’t tuck it away in a cupboard or behind the TV.
Here are Virgin’s top tips for better Wi-Fi
• Don’t hide the hub, place it upright somewhere it can breathe.
• Always keep the Hub indoors in a cool place away from bright sunlight.
• Keep the Hub at least 1 m away from cordless phones or baby monitors and as far as possible from large obstacles such as cabinets and aquariums.
Add Comment