Christmas lights could be ruining your WiFi this festive season – how to boost your speeds
WITH Christmas right around the corner you might be thinking about dragging your decorations down from the attic.
But before you decide where to put up your fairy lights, make sure they don’t go anywhere near your WiFi router.
They can slow down your internet by interfering with your router’s signal, according to UK watchdog Ofcom.
And they’re not the only thing threatening to hamper your web access this Christmas.
Fish tanks, radiators, cordless phones, speakers and your TV can all cause internet woes if placed to close to your router.
It’s all to do with the waves of (harmless) radiation used to fire WiFi around your home.
Your router sends these electromagnetic signals to your devices to connect you to the internet, but they can be muddled by other signals.
Objects like your telly, refrigerator or Christmas lights all send out their own electromagnetic waves that get in the way of your WiFi signal.
Put two and two together, and you’ll realise why keeping your router away from other electrical appliances in your house is a smart idea.
It doesn’t need to be too isolated, mind. About a metre or so from any other gadget should do it.
What appliances interfere with your WiFi?
Avoid placing your router near these...
- Speakers
- TV
- Microwave
- Oven
- Christmas lights
- Fridge
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Cordless phone
- Kettle
- Toaster
- Water pipes
- Other people’s WiFi routers
Brits appear to be suffering in silence when it comes to rubbish web speeds this Christmas.
Some buy new devices rather than fixing the core of the problem, a 2015 study by the Post Office found.
In a survey of more than 2,000 UK internet users, experts found that many people are not aware of simple mistakes they are making that restrict their WiFi.
Always make sure your router is plugged into the master socket rather than an extension cable so it works faster.
You can boost website and load time by updating to the latest internet browser, too.
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In other news, Google’s Santa tracker went live today with free games to play before Christmas Day.
Here are the world’s funniest and rudest WiFi network names.
Still looking for Christmas gifts? You might want to try Apple’s new iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro or AirPods Pro.
Where are you putting your Christmas lights this year? Let us know in the comments!
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