If your broadband is feeling especially sluggish right now there are some things that might just help speed it back up again. Virgin Media has just emailed its customers with some top Wi-Fi tips and even if your chosen Internet Service Provider (ISP) isn't Virgin the tricks could still be worth trying out for an instant speed boost.
There are loads of things to check and change if you want uninterrupted downloads with one the easiest tricks simply checking your router isn't laid down flat on its side. Yes, just placing that flashing black box in the wrong position can wreck those downloads.
"Keep your router upright with the front lights facing into the room to ensure the WiFi antennas inside the router are in the most efficient orientation and less of your WiFi signal is wasted," Virgin explained in its email. "Having the router upright will also ensure optimal air flow through the Hub and help avoid overheating."
Along with keeping things upright Virgin also says it's a good idea to move your router away from mirrors and fish tanks. "It may sound bizarre, but fish tanks and mirrors are also the enemies of home broadband. Water inhibits WiFi signal, so placing your router next to a fish tank is likely to have a negative impact on its stability," Virgin explained.
"Mirrors can also reflect the radio waves used to transmit wireless internet, which can have a negative impact on performance by scattering and distorting the signal."
Next up, there's some useful advice on which rooms you should avoid when setting up your router. The worst place to plonk your internet box is in the kitchen. That's because this area of your home is full of gadgets that can disturb the broadband signal.
"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," warned Virgin.
Other top tips include placing your as high up along with keeping your hub as central as possible and not hiding it away in a cupboard or behind the TV.
One final thing to try if your broadband is dismal - turn off your router and switch it back on again. This will clear any issues that may have built up over time. Just be aware that once you've switched things off it can take up to 5 minutes to get things back up and running again so don't perform a reboot if you're expecting an important Zoom call.