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.
Here are some tips from Ofcom on how to improve your Wi-Fi connection and get more out of it:
