UK households given urgent warning to move Wi-Fi router during heatwave
Brits are being urged to check their router immediately or face a internet blackout.
While the heatwave was an unexpected surprise for many, it gave most of us an excuse to head outdoors and meet up with friends and family. With the sunshine bringing with it lots of joy and laughter, it can also wreak havoc for your broadband.
For those who still have to work during the glorious weather and depend on a stable internet connection to do so, warm weather can also bring more trouble than expected. If exposed to too much heat, Wi-Fi routers run the risk of slowing down and even shopping off completely.
If you don't want your internet to suddenly cut out while you are working, in the middle of your latest binge watch, or facetiming family and friends, it is crucial that you move your router.
This is especially important if it sat at a window or in direct sunlight, reports the Express.
Virgin Media explained: "Although we test our Hubs carefully at a range of temperatures, they are better off out of bright sunlight, just like your phone or laptop.
"If the Hub gets too hot, it could slow down your connection or even grind to a halt altogether."
However, the move isn't just as simple as stuffing the router somewhere dark and cold as this can have similar consequences.
While you may think it is a good idea to stash the machine in a cupboard or behind the TV, this can still hinder your connectivity.
This is because router's are stubborn machines that hate having their signal blocked. Instead they should be placed out in the open for the best speeds.
Virgin Media said: "Good placement of the Hub could also mean greater WiFi reach. Don't stick the Hub in a cupboard or hidden behind your TV either."
There are also other factors that can mess with your router, such as cordless phones, baby monitors and even fish tanks.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
So in order to make sure you have constant Wi-Fi whizzing around your home, it is important to keep your router as high up as possible, don't let it get too hot and don't block the signal.
If after following these steps the router still isn't working, it is suggested to get the hub a reboot. This should clear any issues and bring the router back to optimal speeds.
For the best internet speeds, it is suggested: "The firmware in your Hub monitors the security for your network, so it's good to reboot your router once a month to make sure it's running with all the security patches and updates it needs."
However, it should be noted that after a reboot it can take up to five minutes for the Wi-Fi to start working again.
Therefore, it is probably best to wait to reboot the device when no one has any important calls or work to be done.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Four reasons why UK heatwaves always feel hotter than the same 30C heat abroad
A UK heatwave feels more intense than hot weather abroad due to several factors. Experts explain exactly why this is the case as the Met Office forecasts 34C temperatures for parts of England If you've ever wondered why 25°C in the UK feels like a sauna compared to the same temperature abroad, don't worry, many others have also wondered the same. It's not just all in your head, and it actually might be a legitimate grievance. According to NHS doctor Dr Karan Raj, there are some very real and logical reasons why heatwaves in Britain feel so unbearable – and it's not just because we're not used to it. Taking to TikTok, Dr Raj known online as @ explained why British heat hits differently and he laid out some key reasons why summer in the UK can feel like you're 'a roast barbecue pig'. The Met Office said the UK is set to reach highs of 34C this weekend, with large parts of the UK basking in temperatures around 30C. Humidity The first culprit? Humidity. British heat is often accompanied by high relative humidity, which is the amount of moisture in the air compared to the maximum it can hold at a given temperature. When humidity is high, sweat doesn't evaporate as effectively – and that's a big problem for cooling down. "In the UK, the relative humidity is higher than in countries with dry heat. This makes it harder for our bodies to cool down because sweat doesn't evaporate as well. So you feel hot and sticky like a roast barbecue pig. This is why 35C in a dry climate can feel more comfortable than 25C in a place with high relative humidity." It's the reason why 35°C in a dry climate like Spain or Portugal might feel far more bearable than 25°C on a muggy day in the Midlands. Homes designed to trap heat Another reason Brits feel the burn? Our buildings are simply not built for the heat. 'In the UK, the buildings are designed to retain heat because the weather is usually cold, soggy and silly,' says Dr Raj. Great in the winter not so much during a summer scorcher. Most UK homes don't have air conditioning, and insulation that helps conserve warmth in the winter turns homes into mini greenhouses during a heatwave. By contrast, buildings in warmer countries are often designed to stay cool think thick walls, large windows, shutters, and heat-reflecting coatings. We're simply not set up for it The Met Office agrees that the UK isn't well equipped to handle high temperatures. Annie Shuttleworth, a Met Office meteorologist, told Stylist that how we experience heat at home versus abroad plays a huge role. 'When we experience heat abroad, we're usually on holiday, and may be close to a pool or the beach,' she says. And let's be honest lounging with a cocktail in hand feels a lot better than sweating through your morning commute. Meanwhile, air conditioning and heat-adapted buildings make a world of difference in southern Europe. Even at night, there's no relief. Without cooler night-time temperatures, our bodies don't get a chance to recover. How heat affects the body It's not all in your head, there's real science behind it. Heat loss relies on a temperature gradient between your body and the surrounding air. When it's hot and humid, that process becomes less efficient. "Sweating cools you down because when the water evaporates, it transfers energy away from your body. However, sweating is less effective if there is already a lot of moisture in the air," explains Dr Matthew Patterson, a meteorologist speaking to BBC Science Focus. But when the air is already saturated with moisture, sweat struggles to evaporate, making you feel even hotter. This is also why the UK sees heat-health alerts even when temperatures are in the low 30s. These levels might seem pleasant elsewhere, but they can cause serious disruption in the UK. Risk to life, wildfires, transport chaos, and power outages are all on the cards during a UK heatwave. How to keep cool The NHS advises staying out of the sun when possible, especially between 11am and 3pm. If you do need to head out, wear light clothing, a hat, and use sunscreen. At home, keep blinds and windows shut during the day and open them at night to let in cooler air. Drink plenty of fluids and consider taking a cool shower or dampening your clothes to help regulate your body temperature. If you're feeling dizzy, nauseous, or overly tired, these could be signs of heat exhaustion. Other symptoms include headaches, pale and clammy skin, muscle cramps, fast breathing or heartbeat, and extreme thirst.
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
WhatsApp will start featuring ads. Here's what it means for you
'These days companies know literally everything about you, your friends, your interests, and they use it all to sell ads … Remember, when advertising is involved, you, the user, are the product.' These words were published in 2012, under the headline 'Why we don't sell ads'. The company that put its name to them? WhatsApp, the instant-messaging app that was then run by co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton, and charged users an annual fee of 99 cents. Two years later, they sold their business to Mark Zuckerberg's ad-funded social media behemoth, Meta, which already owned Facebook and Instagram. And for the past decade, the question has been 'when' not 'if' WhatsApp would reverse its founding principle. Last week, as leaders from the tech and media world gathered on the south coast of France for the annual Cannes Lions advertising festival, Zuckerberg's team made its move.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
UK households given urgent warning to move Wi-Fi router during heatwave
Brits are being urged to check their router immediately or face a internet blackout. While the heatwave was an unexpected surprise for many, it gave most of us an excuse to head outdoors and meet up with friends and family. With the sunshine bringing with it lots of joy and laughter, it can also wreak havoc for your broadband. For those who still have to work during the glorious weather and depend on a stable internet connection to do so, warm weather can also bring more trouble than expected. If exposed to too much heat, Wi-Fi routers run the risk of slowing down and even shopping off completely. If you don't want your internet to suddenly cut out while you are working, in the middle of your latest binge watch, or facetiming family and friends, it is crucial that you move your router. This is especially important if it sat at a window or in direct sunlight, reports the Express. Virgin Media explained: "Although we test our Hubs carefully at a range of temperatures, they are better off out of bright sunlight, just like your phone or laptop. "If the Hub gets too hot, it could slow down your connection or even grind to a halt altogether." However, the move isn't just as simple as stuffing the router somewhere dark and cold as this can have similar consequences. While you may think it is a good idea to stash the machine in a cupboard or behind the TV, this can still hinder your connectivity. This is because router's are stubborn machines that hate having their signal blocked. Instead they should be placed out in the open for the best speeds. Virgin Media said: "Good placement of the Hub could also mean greater WiFi reach. Don't stick the Hub in a cupboard or hidden behind your TV either." There are also other factors that can mess with your router, such as cordless phones, baby monitors and even fish tanks. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. So in order to make sure you have constant Wi-Fi whizzing around your home, it is important to keep your router as high up as possible, don't let it get too hot and don't block the signal. If after following these steps the router still isn't working, it is suggested to get the hub a reboot. This should clear any issues and bring the router back to optimal speeds. For the best internet speeds, it is suggested: "The firmware in your Hub monitors the security for your network, so it's good to reboot your router once a month to make sure it's running with all the security patches and updates it needs." However, it should be noted that after a reboot it can take up to five minutes for the Wi-Fi to start working again. Therefore, it is probably best to wait to reboot the device when no one has any important calls or work to be done.
