- Put the router in a central location in the house. Solid surfaces (like walls) slowdown wifi speeds.
- Keep it away from thick walls. The thicker the wall, the harder it is for the signal to pass through.
- Don't put it on the floor. Wifi signals go down as well as up, so some of the signal willgo throught the floorboards.
- Ensure it is visible. Don't put it in a cupboard.
- Avoid windows. Some of the signal will go outside.
- Keep it away from the TV. Metal objects can deflect the signal.
- Don't put it near fish tanks. Water can absorb some of the signal.
Don't forget that cordless phones, microwaves and baby monitors can interfere with an internet signal, so make sure your router is not near these.
Wifi networks are broadcast on one of 13 channels, picked by your router by default. Most people never change this, and the default channel can be busy, especially if nearby homes use the same one.
- Download and run the Insider programme from Softonic (insider.en.softonic.com) on a computer connected to your home Wifi network to identify which local channel is least congested.
- You can also do this on an Android device with the Wifi Analyzer app.
- To change channel, go to your router's settings. Contact your broadband provider (if it suplied the router) or the help sections on its website for advice.
Feature in Good Housekeeping, September 2016
