With many people now looking forward to Christmas, the household will become a bit busier with people taking their holidays.
And with a busier household means that your Wi-Fi will be working overtime to make sure nobody is left with that annoying buffer circle.
It's not just phones that cause this with the likes of smart speakers, console and games - all of which are popular Christmas gifts - being used at the same time causing speed to decrease.
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However ahead of the festive period, Virgin Media have issued a fresh email warning about where not to put your router to make sure your speeds don't stutter on Christmas Day.
According to the Express, the latest advice from the Internet Service Provider (ISP) states that the worst place to place your router is in the kitchen. This is because the signal it beams out can suffer serious interference due to all the appliances with the microwave oven said to be the worst offender and bringing your broadband to a halt when heating up the sides
Explaining why this is Virgin Media says: "It’s not just electronics that interfere with your WiFi signal: metal can also wreak havoc with your connection. Kitchens are often home to heavy-duty metal appliances - think ovens, fridges and washing machines, as well as signal-emitting electronics like microwaves, making them a particularly inhospitable environment for your router."
If your flashing black internet box happens to be placed next to the oven it's a good idea to try and find somewhere else to position it if you want to stream movies without it pausing at the most inconvenient of times.
The broadband provider also state that you should keep the router clear of other objects and, if possible, placed right in the heart of the home to ensure every room gets the best chance of getting the signal.
Other things to avoid are fish tanks and mirrors as these can also wreak havoc with the signal it emits.
And on a more festive point, your Christmas tree may also be causing interference. In an e-mail to its customer Virgin Media said: "Whether you’re going for a real tree this year or a pretend one, we bet there’s going to be twinkling lights all over it.
"But did you know that fairy lights can actually obscure your router’s wireless signals? Yep, if your router ends up stuffed behind the tree, you’ll likely see a reduction in your WiFi speeds."
Top five Wi-Fi tips to avoid the dreaded buffer
- Don't place your router in a cupboard or behind the TV as this can block the signal
- Don't switch your router off overnight as it won't get vital updates to keep things up to speed
- Switch your router off once a month then reboot it as this will help clear any issues
- Check your speed using services such as Ookla. If it's not what you are paying for call your ISP
- Don't lie the router on its side. Keep things upright if you want the best speeds
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