People are just realizing there are six common WiFi mistakes you must avoid – including putting router behind your TV

YOUR WiFi is an essential part of the home – so it’s important to avoid big mistakes.

Millions may be making common WiFi router mistakes that can affect their networks.

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And that could mean you suffer from slow or choppy internet connections.

There are six common mistakes that are easy to avoid once you know them.

The more of these issues affecting your WiFi router, the likelier you are to have trouble with your connection.

It’s just as possible that your WiFi woes are caused by something else completely – but you should give yourself the best chance to have a good home network.

#1 – Wrong height

WiFi routers typically project their strongest signals outwards and downwards.

So it’s generally a bad idea to place your WiFi router on the floor.

Consider placing it on a high shelf or mounting it.

Around six feet is a good height, if you’re considering a wall mount.

#2 – Baby monitors

Baby monitors often use similar frequencies to some WiFi standards.

So placing a baby monitor right next to your router could create interference.

It’s a good idea to keep your baby monitor away from the router to avoid this.

#3 – Microwave ovens

Similarly, microwave ovens use electromagnetic waves around the same frequency as some WiFi standards.

Microwave ovens are designed to keep most of the waves in, but can experience “leakage”.

This can interfere with your WiFi, so it’s a good idea to keep your router and devices away from your microwave oven.

And even if you ignore all of that, a microwave oven is still a large metal box.

So it would be a bad idea to put a router next to a microwave oven for that fact alone.

#4 – Walls and floors

It’s practically impossible to keep your router away from all walls and floors.

But certain building materials like metal, brick and concrete can affect WiFi signals – especially if the walls are very thick.

Bear this in mind when placing your router in your home.

A concrete basement won’t offer great signal transmission, so don’t put your router down there unless you absolutely need it.

Similarly, underfloor heating can also impact your WiFi signal.

#5 – TV

It’s extremely common for people to place their routers right next to their TV.

If that’s your favorite spot, make sure to keep it to the side or above the TV.

Putting a WiFi router directly behind or underneath a TV can lead to signal interference.

#6 – Water

Finally, significant masses of water can affect WiFi signals.

That won’t affect most homes, unless you’re Aquaman, the Little Mermaid or SpongeBob Squarepants.

But if you’ve got a large aquarium at home, don’t put your WiFi router right next to it.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash / Emojipedia / The Sun

This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk