Many objects in our homes can slow down Wi-Fi, but not everyone knows this.
If your home Wi-Fi has been slow lately, or if you experience weak signals in certain corners of the house, it may be due to the distance from your router or the presence of objects that obstruct Wi-Fi signals.
Here are 8 objects that could be slowing down your home Wi-Fi that you may not be aware of.
1. Metal Surfaces and Furniture
Metal is a conductor of electricity, which means it absorbs electrical signals. Since Wi-Fi transmits electromagnetic waves, any metal surface or object in your home can hinder the propagation of these signals.
To avoid internet connectivity issues, place your Wi-Fi router away from areas with a lot of metal. Examples of metal surfaces include stainless steel tables, iron tables, and metal cabinets.
Any metal surface or object in your home can hinder signal propagation.
2. Brick and Stone Walls
Some types of walls can obstruct your Wi-Fi signal, such as granite, marble, cement, concrete, drywall, and bricks. This explains why people often experience weak internet connections on one of the floors in two-story homes.
To improve this, place your router in an open area and away from walls.
3. Mirrors
This might sound unrelated, but mirrors act as barriers that can disrupt internet transmission. When placed near the router, they can weaken and destabilize the signal strength.
4. Refrigerators and Washing Machines
Electrical appliances with water circulation systems can affect Wi-Fi signals. Water can absorb some of the electromagnetic energy, impacting your Wi-Fi connection. To maintain optimal Wi-Fi speed, avoid placing your refrigerator and washing machine near the router.
5. Decorative Lights
While decorative lights enhance the brightness and ambiance of your room, they can also weaken your home Wi-Fi. These lights often require a control device that operates at the same frequency as Wi-Fi.
This can negatively impact your Wi-Fi connection. Experts suggest that such lights can reduce transmission performance by up to 25%.
6. Landline Phones and Cameras
Both landline phones and cameras use chips that emit electromagnetic waves, which can interfere with Wi-Fi signals. The router sends signals to devices connected to the internet, but overlapping frequencies can disrupt this process. Keeping landline phones and cameras away from the router can improve your Wi-Fi connection.
7. Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens operate at a frequency of 2.4 GHz, which is shared with Wi-Fi routers. Therefore, microwaves can temporarily interrupt Wi-Fi functionality.
These are the 8 objects that can slow down Wi-Fi in your home. If you have any of these devices, consider keeping them away from your router to ensure effective Wi-Fi signal transmission.
