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Chronicle Live
National
Aaron Morris

Expert warning to broadband users over how the hot weather can kill off your Wi-Fi

With temperatures nearly topping 30 degrees across the UK this week, nobody wants to be stuck inside staring at a computer screen all day. However, making the most of the spring sunshine may not be an option for some hardworking folk, whose shift patterns don't allow them to enjoy the sunshine.

And while the internet breaking down when you're working from home on a glorious day may seem like a terrible excuse to get the day off and head to the beach, it's a reality that some Britons may well face. This is because technology infamously doesn't handle heat well, and many gadgets will shut themselves down when their cores reach a certain temperature to prevent permanent damage.

Others have in-built fans to help cool vital electronics down substantially, but your Wi-Fi router unfortunately does not. And an overheating home hub may leave you internet-less until the Virgin or Sky repairman can come and fit a replacement.

Read more: Feng Shui expert shares where to put your Wi-Fi router for best performance

The Star reports should your broadband hub overheat, it may well malfunction and cut off your Wi-Fi access - maybe permanently in the worst case scenario. Uswitch are urging all Internet users to move their routers to the coldest place possible, while avoiding sun spots where possible - in a bid to keep your connection alive in the stellar sunny conditions.

Telecoms expert, Catherine Hiley, said: "If your router is surrounded by lots of other objects, it can't properly ventilate and might overheat. So, if you're worried about your router during a heatwave, keeping it out of direct sunlight, giving it some space and disconnecting any unnecessary devices can really help keep it cool and working efficiently."

Just last week, Virgin Media also warned customers to keep their broadband routers out of heat's way, warning subscribers: "Always keep it indoors in a cool place and out of bright to sunlight to prevent it overheating." Placing your router in a breezy spot can help cool things down, but you should never place your router on a windowsill, as the glass could cause it to heat up even more than usual.

By simply making sure your device has a little shade, you can also prevent it from overheating entirely - meaning you'll stay connected and carry on your work duties without issue while the sun takes its toll outside.

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