How does hot summer weather affect Wi-Fi speed?
The hot summer weather can cause your home Wi-Fi to slow down unexpectedly. The cause could be the router overheating, which can seriously affect your connection speed.
When summer comes with the scorching sun and constantly rising temperatures, not only does the human body have to face exhaustion, but electronic devices in the home are also significantly affected.
Among them, the Wi-Fi router – the device responsible for transmitting wireless network signals – is one of the devices most susceptible to high temperatures. A sudden increase in ambient temperature can cause the router to operate less effectively, causing slow connections, network interruptions, or even temporary shutdowns.
As the hub of your home's network, any router malfunction can directly impact your Internet experience, from surfing the web to watching movies or working remotely.
Surprising Cause: Heat Slows Down Internet Speeds
Virgin Media, one of the UK's major internet service providers, has issued a warning to users that hot weather could be the culprit behind unusually slow internet speeds.
According to the carrier, when the router is placed in a location exposed to direct sunlight, such as on a windowsill, it is susceptible to overheating, leading to reduced performance or even temporary shutdown. In severe cases, users may lose connectivity entirely until the device cools down.
In a notice issued to customers, Virgin Media recommends: "Always keep your Wi-Fi router in a cool place, away from direct sunlight to prevent overheating."
How to keep Wi-Fi speed stable?
Here are some practical and simple tips from Virgin Media to help customers keep their internet connection smooth:
1. Avoid placing the router in direct sunlight
Avoid placing the router near windows, on top of cabinets or in airtight places with direct strong light, because these locations can easily degrade the signal or cause the device to overheat.
Instead, choose an open, central location in the house, higher than the floor so that the Wi-Fi signal can spread evenly throughout the rooms and operate more stably.
2. Check the connected device
Did you know that your Wi-Fi network could be being hogged by too many devices, significantly slowing down your speed? Virgin Media recommends that users regularly check the devices connected to avoid uncontrolled bandwidth distribution.
With an app like Fing, Wireless Network Watcher can easily help you keep track of a list of all the devices that are using your Wi-Fi network. When you discover illegal devices connecting, you can change your Wi-Fi password to prevent those illegal connections, helping your Wi-Fi network run more smoothly.
3. Restart your router occasionally
Just like your computer or phone, your Wi-Fi router needs a break. Restart your router every few months to refresh its memory and fix minor errors.
How to restart properly:
- Turn off the power switch on the back of the router.
- Wait at least 10 seconds.
- Turn it back on and wait for the white indicator light on the front to turn on, indicating the router is ready.
4. Check cables and physical connections
Sometimes the problem isn't with the router, but with loose or damaged cables. Take a few minutes to check the power cord, Ethernet cable, and connectors to make sure everything is in good shape.
In short, when summer comes with harsh sunlight and constantly rising temperatures, don't forget that technology devices in the house, especially Wi-Fi routers, also need to be "cooled down" like you. With just a few simple adjustments as above, you can completely keep your Wi-Fi network stable, ensuring smoother connection speed.
