5 common household appliances your Wi-Fi router should be kept away from
If you're looking to boost your Wi-Fi signal this summer, especially when lounging in the garden, there are a few tricks you might want to consider. Slow or limited Wi-Fi can be a real headache for homeowners, particularly during the warmer months when many of us want to enjoy music, podcasts, or video calls with loved ones outdoors.
A tech expert has revealed some handy tips for improving your Wi-Fi coverage, including one hack that you may not have thought of before. The placement of your router and its proximity to certain objects and appliances can significantly impact your Wi-Fi signal and coverage, reports the Express.
Garden room specialist from Tiger Modular, Sam Jenkinson, warns that placing your router next to common household items such as TVs, microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and fridges can disrupt or absorb the signal, resulting in less coverage.
He advises: "When placing your Wi-Fi router, avoid positioning it near thick walls, metal surfaces or large electronics like TVs and fridges, as these can absorb or block the signal," He also adds that devices like microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth gadgets can interfere with the connection because they operate on the same frequencies as many Wi-Fi signals.
"Interestingly, mirrors and fish tanks can also disrupt signal strength by reflecting and absorbing the signal. While it might be tempting to hide your router in a cupboard or behind furniture for aesthetic reasons, doing so can dramatically reduce performance. Instead, aim to place it centrally, elevated, and in the open, think of Wi-Fi like light from a lamp: the more visible and unobstructed it is, the better it works throughout your space."
Furthermore, Sam suggested that if you're struggling with Wi-Fi coverage in certain areas of your property, including your garden, it might be time to consider upgrading your router. He explained: "Your router is the heart of your setup. If it's old or outdated, it might not be capable of delivering a strong signal to the far corners of your property, let alone the garden. Upgrading to a modern, high-spec router can dramatically improve coverage and speeds."
He continued: "The first thing to consider is how far your garden room is from your main house, and how it's powered as this will determine which type of connection method is right for you. For instance, if your garden room is within a reasonable range and already picks up some Wi-Fi signal, a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system can help improve it.
"Wi-Fi extenders work by rebroadcasting your router's signal to reach further, while mesh systems use multiple devices that communicate wirelessly to create a seamless wireless network that blankets your home and garden. They're both great for smaller setups or when the distance isn't too extreme.
"However, these solutions rely on having a decent existing signal to work with. If the garden room is too far out or the signal is being blocked by thick walls, you may find performance drops off."
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