Virgin Media has shared some valuable tips to ensure optimal internet speeds throughout the year. While common advice like keeping the router centrally located, rebooting it monthly, and preventing signal interference from items like fish tanks are known to enhance performance, the impact of weather changes on broadband performance is often overlooked.
As temperatures climb in late spring and summer, routers can face additional stress, highlighting the importance of placing them in cool, well-ventilated areas.
Virgin Media explained in a recent blog post how warmer weather can strain broadband equipment, both indoors and outdoors. While external equipment is designed to handle high temperatures, routers indoors may struggle if exposed to excessive warmth.
The company emphasized the need for routers to have proper airflow for optimal functionality. Placing the router behind a TV, inside a cupboard, next to a radiator, or in direct sunlight can lead to heat buildup, particularly during a heatwave, resulting in slower speeds, disconnections, or the router restarting to cool down.
To prevent performance issues during warm weather, it is advised to relocate the router to a cooler spot. While hot weather may affect performance, other weather conditions are less likely to disrupt internet activities like streaming.
Virgin Media also highlighted that most weather-related broadband issues originate indoors, citing factors such as thick walls, multiple connected devices, and poor router placement as more significant contributors to daily connectivity problems than external weather conditions.
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