VIRGIN Media has revealed why your Wi-Fi might be disconnecting – and how you can instantly fix it.
The firm has warned customers that issues with your internet don’t always mean that there’s something wrong, but it does mean “something needs your attention”.
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“There’s plenty of things that can cause your Wi-Fi to drop on your device, and it’s not always to do with your Wi-Fi or router not working,” the company says.
Some of the problems – and solutions – are quite basic but still worth ruling out before seeking further help.
This can save you waiting in a long customer service queue and get you back up to speed.
The most obvious tip Virgin Media has to offer is simply restarting your router.
Yes, this may seem like a mega basic solution but it’s often forgotten to fix small software glitches or memory issues.
“If your router has been running non-stop for days or weeks, it may just need a break,” Virgin Media says.
“Restarting your router can help clear out any minor issues and get things working properly again.”
All you need to do is unplug your router, wait about 10 seconds then plug it back in again.
Similarly, the firm suggests that it may be individual devices that need restarting too.
“Phones, laptops, tablets and even smart TVs can have background processes or software bugs that interfere with your connection,” Virgin Media adds.
So it’s worth restarting any having trouble.
If those don’t help, it may be that your broadband isn’t fast enough for everyone.
This can strike if several people are using Wi-Fi to do intensive tasks at the same time, such as video calling, watching a movie in 4K or playing video games online.
Virgin recommends pausing or stopping high-data tasks on other devices to free up bandwidth.
You can also connect high-priority devices like smart TVs or game consoles directly to the router using an ethernet cable instead.
Weak Wi-Fi signal?
Your Wi-Fi signal can only go so far throughout the house – and some objects can disrupt it too.
Virgin Media recommends having your router in a central, open space, away from walls or hidden corners.
“Things like cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, Bluetooth speakers, and even wireless doorbells can interfere with your WiFi, especially if you’re on the 2.4 GHz band,” the firm says.
“This interference can cause your connection to drop or become unstable, even if you’re near the router.”
Little-known objects that can disrupt your Wi-Fi
People don’t realise how many objects around the home can impact their Wi-Fi signal and slow things down. Here are some you may have missed.
- Microwaves (when they’re running)
- Baby monitors
- Fish tanks
- Mirrors
- Bluetooth devices
- Cordless phones
