Common Christmas decoration is killing your Wi-Fi speed – fixing it is easy but make sure it’s sorted before December 25
YOUR Christmas decorations could pose a hidden problem for your Wi-Fi speed over the festive period.
All sorts of obstacles around the home can interfere with signals but the Christmas decorations can cause even more headache.
And some you may not expect are a problem.
For example, tinsel near your Wi-Fi router can slow your connection down.
You may not realise that mirrors reflect signal away from some areas around the home.
And by the same definition, the foil material on tinsel can have an impact too.
So it’s best to keep tinsel away from your router.
Similarly, fairy lights can be bad news for Wi-Fi too.
Any electrical device too close can create extra interference.
As a general rule, for the best Wi-Fi coverage your router needs to be an open spacious area.
So hiding it behind the tree is not the best move for your hub.
“Whilst it’s easy to overlook, tucking your router behind the Christmas tree or crowding it with baubles and fairy lights could spell disaster for your Wi-Fi connection, just when you need it most,” explained Lutfu Kitapci, Chief Customer Officer & MD ISP at Hyperoptic.
“Christmas is a key time for streaming festive movies, video calling loved ones, and even hosting gaming tournaments as people get more connected.”
If you’ve moved your router to make way for Christmas decorations make sure it’s not near a window either, Lutfu warns.
Doing so can let signal escape outside.
And it could also expose your Wi-Fi router passwords on the back to strangers outside.
Top tips on how to stay connected
Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it:
- Use your landline or Wi-Fi calls:More people are making calls on their mobile network during the day, so you may find you get a more reliable connection using your landline or by turning on “wifi calling” in your settings.
- Move your router clear of other devices: Keep your router as far away as possible from other devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, TVs and monitors, as they can all affect your Wi-Fi if they’re too close to your router. Also, place your router on a table or shelf rather than on the floor, and keep it switched on.
- Lower the demands on your connection: The more devices attached to your wifi, the lower the speed you get. Devices like tablets and smartphones often work in the background, so try switching wifi reception off on these when you’re not using them.
- Try wired rather than wireless:For the best broadband speeds, use an Ethernet cable to connect your computer directly to your router rather than using Wi-FI.
- Plug your router directly into your main phone socket:Where possible, try not to use a telephone extension lead, as these can cause interference which could lower your speed.
- Test the speed on your broadband line: You can run a speed test using Ofcom’s official mobile and broadband checker. If possible, carry out tests over a few days and see if there are any changes.