BT says ‘common’ Wi-Fi router location ‘sends signal outside’

BT has warned customers that they could be sending half of their wi-fi signal outside their home if they place their hub or router in a ‘common’ location. According to BT, the mistake occurs when people place their router next to a window.

While many people might think it’s convenient to place their router out of sight on a windowsill or a table near the window, it could limit their signal. Instead, it’s advised to place the router in a central location.

A top tips page on BT’s website explains: “Try and position your hub in the centre of your home – you’ll reduce the number of walls slowing down your signal, which means you can get better wi-fi in more places. Move your hub away from the window – your hub broadcasts wi-fi in all directions and half of your signal will go outside, rather than your home.”

For similar reasons, the hub should be kept on show rather than hidden in a cupboard, which could disrupt the signal. It should also be kept away from the TV or metal objects, which can reflect and disperse the signal.

While it will only take a few seconds to move the router, moving it to a better spot could improve your broadband performance and enable faster speeds.

The router should remain connected to the home’s master socket. BT states: “Make sure your hub is connected to your master socket, which is where the broadband signal is the strongest and most stable.

“Check that all your cables – including those on the back of your hub and any extension leads are untangled and plugged-in properly.

“Tangled and loose cables can cause interference and impact your speeds. If you are using an extension lead, use a new high-quality cable that is as short as possible as a long lead can create interference and affect performance.”

If you’ve moved your router but are still experiencing speed issues, BT suggests that this might be due to the device you’re using, especially if it’s an older gadget. “If your wi-fi isn’t as fast as you expected, it might have nothing to do with your connection, but could be due to the age and power of your device.

“Typically the newer it is, the faster the wireless speed it will support. For example, a smartphone from 2013 can handle around half the wi-fi speeds of a modern phone. With devices like smartphones, tables and laptops being updated regularly, also consider upgrading your devices every few years.”

However, the speed might also be affected by what your broadband is being used for. BT said: “For instance, streaming services like Netflix or YouTube, online gaming and video conferencing use more of your broadband speed than checking Facebook, or sending an email.”