If you take the time to make a few simple changes, you can see a significant improvement in your broadband speed.
We’re all looking for better broadband to meet our growing needs for downloading large files, streaming 4K movies, and working from home. Of course, the speed that penetrates walls will depend on how much you’re willing to pay, as well as the capabilities of your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
However, there are a few simple ways to slightly boost the signal that passes through your home.
In fact, small changes in the placement of your Wi-Fi can make the difference between choppy streaming and glorious, interference-free 4K viewing.
Things like microwaves, televisions, and flashing black boxes hidden in closets can negatively affect this vital signal.
To help you out and speed up your data downloads, the Broadband Savvy team recently published new tips on what might be interfering with your signal and how everyday items can unexpectedly block it.
So, if you're looking to improve your connection quality, here are some of the top broadband internet offenders.
HOUSE PLANTS
A home without greenery may look unattractive, but those lush plants aren't your Wi-Fi's best friend.
In fact, filling your space with green accessories can actually have a negative impact on your load times.
“Most plants are 80 to 90 percent water, so if you have a large, bushy houseplant near your router, it can suck up your Wi-Fi signal,” explains Tom Paton, founder of broadbandsavvy.com.
“If the plant is dense enough, it may start to absorb the Wi-Fi signal, depending on its location. We recommend placing any potted plants at least a few feet away from the router.”
AQUARIUMS AND VASES
Like plants, aquariums and vases can look great, but don't place your router too close to them.
These objects can negatively impact the quality of your connection, and if you're not getting the speed you expect, you may want to consider changing the furniture arrangement in the room.
“Water acts as a sponge for the Wi-Fi signal. If you have a large container of liquid, such as an aquarium, near your router, it can reduce your Wi-Fi speed,” Paton added.
“Other large containers of water can also cause problems — vases are a common culprit. Small vases shouldn't cause much of a problem as long as they're at least six feet away from the router. However, if you have a large vase, try to position it so that the Wi-Fi signal doesn't have to travel through the vase to reach your smart TV, laptop, or Xbox.”
RADIO NIGHTS
Baby monitors are indispensable if you have a new baby in your family, but the signal they emit can interfere with Wi-Fi.
Obviously you don't want to turn anything off, but you can check the frequency they're running on and place the monitor and router a safe distance apart.
Explaining further, Paton said: “Many baby monitors, especially older models, use the 2.4GHz signal range – the same frequency that Wi-Fi uses. So when you use a baby monitor, you may notice that devices further away from your router stop accessing the network, and you may also experience slower download speeds.”
MIRRORS
They may help you assess your evening outfit or check if your hair looks good, but mirrors are not Wi-Fi's best friend, and that's not a good thing considering how many of them we have in our homes.
“If you have a mirror positioned incorrectly, it can disrupt your Wi-Fi signal,” Paton said.
“Mirrors don't just reflect visible light — they also reflect invisible frequencies, including Wi-Fi. In fact, all the reflection is due to the metal backing inside the mirror, and depending on its thickness and the angle at which it's mounted, this material can redirect the Wi-Fi signal back to where it came from.”
“If you have a mirror on the wall at the edge of your house, it won't cause problems with your Wi-Fi because the signal doesn't have to go through it – its reflection isn't a problem. The problem comes when the mirror is on an interior wall that Wi-Fi has to go through, especially if it's close to your router.”
Sourse: www.mirror.co.uk
