A WI-FI expert has revealed the five worst places to put your router – and it could explain why you’re getting a rubbish signal.
You might not think it, but where you put your modem is critical to how well your internet service performs at home.
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We might want to squirrel it away in the corner of a room to keep it out of the way and out of sight.
But tech guru Trevor Cooke, from EarthWeb, has revealed that this might be what’s causing your slow speeds.
Before you fork out for a new router, Trevor says you should try nudging it to a slightly different location first to solve the problem.
The expert advises homeowners to try and establish a ‘clear line of sight’ to the router.
This means your router needs a clear path to reach your devices in order to work properly.
And Trevor revealed the five places in your home to avoid putting it if you want the best signal.
Under the stairs
This might be the easiest place to store your router but it’s one of the worst places for your signal.
Trevor says: “People tend to hide their ugly routers out of sight.
“However, hiding them behind a closed door or wall can greatly weaken the signal.
“Additionally, putting your Wi-Fi router in an enclosed space could cause it to overheat and also run slower than it should.
“Think of it like this: if you can’t see the router, it can’t see your electronic device, and the signal won’t be as good as it could be.”
In the kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of any home, but it shouldn’t be where you keep your Wi-Fi router.
Experts explain: “Maybe you have a central kitchen, and it seems like the best spot.
“However, something that really interferes with the Wi-Fi signal are the radio waves certain appliances emit.
“The biggest offender being your microwave, which produces radio waves that most definitely will tamper with the reliability of your Wi-Fi router’s signal.”
Windows and exterior walls
You might not realise it, but the weather can affect your Wi-Fi, which means the closer the router is to the outside, the more turbulent it can be.
Trevor says: “Putting your Wi-Fi router on the windowsill is a bad idea because it can easily be affected by weather or other nearby networks.
“The same rule goes for any other exterior walls lining your house.
“The more central your router is inside the house, the better!”
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By a water source
Trevor advises that you keep your router away from any laundry room, nearby bathrooms, or any other location where it can come into contact with water.
This even includes being near any aquariums, fish tanks, or even vases with water and flowers.
The first reason why is obvious: electronics and water together are a big no-no.
However, as Trevor puts it, “Many people don’t know that water can be a great hindrance to your Wi-Fi signal, essentially acting as a barricade.”
He adds: “Not to mention, the humidity from these types of locations damages the router over time.”
What to do if bad weather affects your Wi-Fi
THERE are a number of common techniques that can boost your connection at home.
Firstly, try to minimise the number of devices you have connected to the internet.
If you’re not using your smart TV, for instance, then unplug it from the wall to ensure it’s not using up any bandwidth.
It’s also advisable to move closer to your Wi-Fi to ensure you have the strongest signal possible.
If you suspect that your Wi-Fi network is down due to physical damage caused by a storm, get in contact with your broadband provider.
Alternatively, use the bad weather as an opportunity to switch off from the internet for the day.
In a corner
Wi-Fi routers are made to emit their signals in every direction.
So by hiding your router away in the corner, it will basically only be able to reach half of its full capability.
The other half of the signal will be absorbed by the wall, therefore greatly reducing your signal strength.
This could mean that some areas of your house may experience “dead zones” or a weaker connection.
Trevor suggests keeping your Wi-Fi router in a central, ground-floor room of the house so its signal can reach all the rooms in the house.
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Another option is to prop it up on a high shelf closer to the ceiling.
He explains: “That way it’s still tucked out of sight, being above your sight line, while still having an open area where the signal is unobstructed by walls, furniture, etc.”