Broadband users must check their Wi-Fi now or things could ‘grind to a halt’ this week.
Britain is currently basking in some unseasonably warm weather with temperatures expected to hit 28 degrees by tomorrow. The mini heatwave is clearly being enjoyed by millions across the country, and whilst it’s great for topping up the tan and lighting the BBQ, it can be terrible for that all-important internet connection.
Like all tech – such as smartphones, laptops and tablets – Wi-Fi routers really hate getting too hot. In fact, if things get toasty then can even shut down completely to avoid the electronics getting damaged – that might leave you without access to the web.
Virgin Media warns that letting its hub overheat could bring internet connections “grinding to a halt” – so it’s not advice you want to ignore.
Explaining more about the issue, Virgin said: “Although we test our Hubs carefully at a range of temperatures, they are better off out of bright sunlight, just like your phone or laptop.
“If the Hub gets too hot, it could slow down your connection or even grind to a halt altogether.”
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The very hot conditions are expected to continue into the weekend, and if you want to keep your broadband running smoothly, now is a good time to check the position of the router.
One place you really don’t want it is on a window ledge and in direct sunlight, as this will increase the chances of things getting far too hot.
Although you need to get it away from sunlight, be careful where you move it. Virgin also warns against tucking it somewhere cold and dark, as this could be just as bad for the connection.
“Good placement of the Hub could also mean greater WiFi reach. Don’t stick the Hub in a cupboard or hide it behind your TV either, ” Virgin added.
“Keep the Hub at least 1m away from cordless phones or baby monitors, and as far as possible from big obstructions like cupboards and fish tanks.”
If you follow these rules, you should be able to enjoy the unexpected Spring sunshine without facing a broadband blackout.
Along with switching positions, Virgin is also recommending a quick Spring clean of the Wi-Fi.
“A quick WiFi safety check-up every now and again is never a bad idea,” Virgin said.
“In fact, now we’re in spring, why not consider it a part of your spring cleaning?”
One of the best places to start is by giving the router a reset. Yes, that old trick of turning things off and back on again really can help.
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Hitting the power button, waiting a few minutes, and then powering it back up will clear any bugs and also make sure things are fully updated.
“The firmware in your Hub monitors the security for your network, so it’s good to reboot your router once a month to make sure it’s running with all the security patches and updates it needs,” Virgin said.
Just remember that the reboot can take up to 10 minutes, so make sure nobody needs the web before starting the process.