Wi-Fi is an essential part of our lives and it is important to ensure that the signal is strong and reliable. Unfortunately, there are many causes of weak Wi-Fi signals that can result in a drop in performance. These causes range from physical obstructions to software issues.
Though our homes are covered with high-speed broadband and Wi-Fi networks, there are times we are annoyed by the low-quality video calls, streaming movies and at times even browsing internet due to poor connectivity. Often, we do not hesitate to trouble the service provider to have a look at it and resolve the problem. But we may have never thought that certain household items may be the root cause for the poor performance, which could be fixed simply by either moving the item or the Wi-Fi Router away from each other.
Microwave ovens
If your Wi-Fi Router is located in your kitchen, where the Microwave oven is located, it is time to move the Router to a different place. Those invisible signals generated by the Microwave can have a serious effect on the Wi-Fi signals which make the speeds slow and sluggish. Hence, a kitchen with a Microwave oven is not a suitable place for your Router to be fixed.
Mirrors
Though mirrors are a must in your bathroom or bedroom, its nice to have a large wall mirror and uplift the looks of your living and dining areas as well. However, no matter how attractive your living space will be, Wi-Fi signal will not look good with those large mirrors on the walls. As mirrors have a very thin layer of metal coating, Wi-Fi signals may be interfered when having a mirror close by. So, it is best to have the Router away from those large mirrors in your home.
TV Cabinets
Your home wouldn’t have the best look to have a Wi-Fi Router lights flashing on top of a TV Cabinet, therefore we often leave it inside a TV cabinet to get that elegant look. However, leaving the Wi-Fi Router inside a TV Cabinet or in a covered space is not the best idea. This will hinder the performance as a result of weakening the signals. Hence, it is always advisable to leave or fix the Router in an open area with least number of disturbances close to it.
Baby monitors and cordless phones
Devices such as Baby monitors and Cordless Phones use similar signals as Wi-Fi. Therefore, using these devices along with Wi-Fi Routers will jam the signals and have a negative impact on the connectivity performance of your Wi-Fi Router. Though, some of these devices cannot be completely eliminated, we must be mindful of the consequences of such a set up.
Fish Tanks
Last but not least, Fish Tanks. Who would have thought fish tanks would hinder the Wi-Fi Signals. If your Wi-Fi Router is behind a Fish tank or close to one, this can weaken the signal strength as Wi-Fi signals are disrupted by water resulting in poor connectivity speeds. Hence, it is always good to have your aquatic pets as far as possible to the Wi-Fi Router.
So, the next time you experience poor speeds of internet access, keep in mind to check the above points before you troubleshoot any software issues and connectivity beyond your Router.
