UK households urged to move their router away from one common item
A UK specialist has shared an important tip for anyone who wants to improve their home broadband performance - and it's all about the location of their Wi-Fi router
Wi-Fi users have been urged to move their routers away from a certain household appliance to boost their internet speeds. Slow Wi-Fi can be incredibly frustrating, especially when it interrupts streaming or disrupts a day of working from home.
While many people may not fully understand how Wi-Fi works, knowing where to position your router for the best internet speeds and performance is key. Experts have pinpointed certain devices that could interfere with your Wi-Fi router's performance, and one of them might be right next to yours.
The placement of your router can significantly impact your Wi-Fi performance, so understanding where to put it for uninterrupted film and TV show watching, as well as lag-free work and browsing, is crucial, according to hyperoptic.com.
Any device that uses Bluetooth, such as a Bluetooth speaker, can greatly affect your Wi-Fi's performance at home, the experts have warned, reports Wales Online.
Bluetooth speakers are a common feature in modern British homes. Devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home speakers use Bluetooth, as do other less expensive brands of speakers that play music and radio.
Bluetooth gadgets and Wi-Fi routers function on comparable radio frequencies. When these devices are placed too near to one another in your property, they can interfere with your Wi-Fi speeds by utilising the same frequency, according to home technology specialists at hyperoptic.com..
Britons regularly position certain household objects in close proximity without understanding the effect on their WiFi performance.
Before contemplating switching providers or paying out for more expensive broadband, specialists recommend moving your router to enhance internet speeds at home.
The Institute of Physics characterises Bluetooth as a "wireless system for connecting devices together such as computers and mobile phones when they are close to each other".
Usually, one device, such as a phone, functions as the "main unit" while another device, like a Bluetooth speaker or wireless earphones, acts as the "peripheral". These devices pair using ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio waves.
Wi-Fi works in a similar way, employing frequencies to provide a wireless internet connection for your mobile phone, computer, or smart TV.
Fascinatingly, appliances such as microwaves also employ these frequencies and can interfere with your Wi-Fi's effectiveness, so it's recommended to place your router away from this kitchen appliance to secure the best internet speeds.