Simple Wi-Fi mistake could break your broadband this month - check your router

09 December 2023 , 07:20

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Simple Wi-Fi mistake could break your broadband this month - check your router

If you've already started dangling tinsel all over your home and have planted your Christmas tree in its usual pride place beware. These festive decorations could be wreaking havoc with your broadband and slowing your downloads to a snail's pace.

That's the latest warning from the team at Uswitch who say most Brits have no idea Christmas decorations and fairy lights could actually end up interrupting broadband signals and hurting those all-important Wi-Fi speeds.

“It’s surely not the festive season without streaming your favourite Christmas film, so it’s good to be aware of the impact a piece of tinsel or fairy lights can have on your broadband," said Richard Dowden, broadband expert at Uswitch.com.
“Pretty as they may be, the lights and tinsel could potentially slow down your connection speeds. You should keep them and other electronics such as lamps, speakers, TVs and monitors as far away from the router as possible."

If you've made your home look just like Santa's Grotto and you've suddenly found that your downloads are dithering it might be a good to check your router and move it somewhere new.

Having this flashing device hidden neatly below the branches of the tree won't do it any favours and it's vital you give it some space.

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The best place for the router is out in the open and preferably up off of the floor. Don't pop it in a cupboard or behind the telly either as doing this can also reduce the signal strength.

Kitchens are also terrible places for routers as products such as microwaves can seriously disrupt the Wi-Fi meaning you won't get the best experience when trying to download a movie to watch or installing a game on your PS5.

The final things to watch out for are mirrors and fish tanks.

“One-fifth of Brits are expecting to receive a Wi-Fi enabled gadget this Christmas, so now is the time to check that your connection is up to scratch and that nothing is in the way of your router," added Dowden.

"That way, you’ll be able to make the most of your new presents as soon as they’re unwrapped.”

Dave Snelling