- Because of the layer of metal behind the glass, mirrors can ruin your Wifi signal
- Study reminds how important having a good connection is in our time
- But most people don’t seem to know what objects can interfere with the WiFi signal.
Today, whether for work, entertainment or communication, having good WiFi at home is of paramount importance. And if you’re having trouble, here’s the first thing you should check: is your router next to a mirror? We sometimes forget that our homes are full of devices and objects that can interfere with the WiFi signal. And mirrors are one of them. The info is not recent, but she returned to the news following the publication of a post by the British operator Virgin Media O2, which many sites subsequently relayed.
As the operator explains, very large mirrors can especially affect Wi-Fi quality, because mirrors have a thin metallic layer that can cause interference. This advises to keep the router at least 1 meter away from these mirrors. And Virging Media O2 isn’t the only one talking about the WiFi issues that mirrors can cause. This is also mentioned in a help page of the American operator AT&T.
Other objects that can interfere with WiFi
Of course, besides keeping your router away from mirrors, there are other tricks that can help you have better WiFi in your home. For example, it is best to place it in a central location in the house, while considering where you need it most. It’s best if you have eye contact with the router at this location, to make sure there’s no obstruction to the signal.
In its publication, Virging Media O2 mentions other objects that can interfere, “such as baby monitors, speakers, and TVs, directly beside or in front of your router”. And besides, AT&T indicates that water can also interfere with Wifi, since it conducts electricity. If you have an aquarium at home, this can also be a source of interference.
Wifi is more important than…
Virging Media O2 shared their tips for optimizing Wi-Fi in a post announcing the results of a UK study on the importance of Wi-Fi for its users. According to these results, there are more Britons (50%) for whom having a good connection is important than for Britons who believe that going to a restaurant is important. Having a good connection would also be more important than going out with your partner, or even having a streaming subscription.
However, if having a good Wifi is important, the majority of respondents do not know the different elements that can disturb the signal. 78% are unaware that metal furniture can interfere with Wi-Fi. 83% don’t know that baby monitors can affect the signal. And 90% don’t know that an aquarium can also cause interference.
“Broadband is an essential part of everyday life. Whether it’s working from home, shopping online, or catching up on that must-have series, connectivity is at the heart of it all. Yet knowing where to place your router is something that is often overlooked”explains Gareth Lister, director of connectivity at the operator.
