If you’re having broadband issues, chances are you’ve placed your router in the wrong place.
Choosing the right location can be tricky, especially when you’re limited by choice depending on where the main cable enters your home.
But an expert from USwitch.com revealed to The Sun exactly where many people can make it worse.
1. Avoid storing it in cupboards
WiFi routers aren’t exactly the prettiest things, so it’s no wonder people try to store them in a closet.
However, this can have a very bad impact on your connection.
“This is probably the most common mistake,” said broadband expert Nick Baker.
“Keeping it in a closet, in a box under the stairs, or hidden away means you’re blocking most of your WiFi signal directly.”
2. Choose a central location
Your WiFi router broadcasts the signal in all directions, so the more central it is, the better.
It’s best to have it as close to the middle of your home as possible, so it can reach as many different areas as possible.
Placing it somewhere like the windowsill just sends a signal outside, which is obviously of no use to anyone.
3. Don’t place it right next to an aquarium
If you have an aquarium, avoid placing your router right next to it.
“Only if you put the router there and put your aquarium in front,” Nick explained.
“If there’s an aquarium in the room, it’ll be fine, it won’t absorb all your radio waves, it will block it like any other piece of furniture.”
4. Large electrical appliances also interfere
The same goes for your TV, especially if you have an antenna.
If your router is in the kitchen, make sure it’s not near the microwave, as this will really disrupt the connection.
5. Heaters are a big no
Radiators should already be a massive red flag for being a fire hazard.
Although the heat does not affect the connection itself, it will only break the router.
6. Check your broadband speed first
Before you go to the full effort of moving your router, check that it’s not the actual broadband service that’s the problem.
“You should be able to see on your device how many bars you have on your WiFi, so if it’s full bars it might be an issue with your current broadband connection,” Nick warned.
“So before you pull out all your wires and move them around the house, check to see if your WiFi is strong and run a speed test.”
This story originally appeared on The sun and has been reproduced here with permission.
