We all want faster and more reliable broadband but a simple mistake that is easy to make could be killing your connection.
Getting faster broadband is something millions of homes across the UK are craving but a simple error could be hampering connections. With the price of energy going up again this month, some billpayers will be looking for easy ways to cut costs. Switching off appliances, turning down the thermostat and keeping lightbulbs off is a good place to start but one thing you really need to leave well alone is your router.
Although it might seem tempting to hit the power button and kill those flashing green lights, doing so can seriously damage your broadband.
Firstly, when things are off, vital updates won’t be received during the early hours of the morning. That’s when most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) tend to release upgrades and security patches as most users are asleep and not using their Wi-Fi. If your router doesn’t get its software upgraded, it could leave things far less secure and not working properly.
The next issue with turning things off overnight is that it can send bad signals to your ISP. When connections constantly appear to be lost and regained, it can appear that there’s an issue with the broadband line. ISPs may then place emergency speed restrictions on the connection in a bid to keep you online.
This will make things slower and more painful when downloading files and films.
Explaining more about the issues with router, BT said: “Constantly switching off the hub makes the line look unstable, meaning that your speed may be automatically reduced to improve the reliability of your broadband connection.”
Sky also says its a bad idea to start hitting the off switch. “We know our routers are put through their paces during the day – whether on video calls, streaming the latest show, or online gaming. That’s why our routers run firmware updates during the night, to avoid any unnecessary disruption during the day,” the company explained.
“Switching off your router overnight can affect automatic software updates and optimisations which in turn can impact the overall performance, speed and stability of your Broadband.”
So yes, check your power usage and switch off lights but please leave your router on 24 hours a day.
