Nowadays, Wi-Fi internet access has become common in every home. But sometimes, there is no improvement in internet speed despite changing the position of the router, fixing the cable or upgrading the plan. If you are also facing such a situation, it is possible that some of your green habits are responsible for it. Yes, beautiful plants present in the house can also affect your internet speed.
A study conducted by Broadband Genie, a UK internet analytics company, has revealed this shocking fact. According to the report, large plants or too many small plants can reduce Wi-Fi speeds. This is because the plants have moisture in their soil, and their dense leaves absorb or reflect radio signals. This disrupts the direct path of the Wi-Fi signal and results in a weak signal reaching the device. Especially in small flats or closed rooms, where the number of plants is high, its effect can be felt more. Although this effect is not very big, if the router is placed near or behind plants, a noticeable reduction in network speed can be seen.
Wi-Fi signals aren’t just stopped by plants. Home walls, especially thick concrete or brick walls, block the signal the most. Additionally, if you live in an apartment, your neighbors’ networks may also interfere with the signal. If you use an app like “WiFi Analyser”, you will see 5-6 or more networks around you, which may be interfering with your internet.
In an experiment by Broadband Genie, it was found that if the router is kept at some distance from the plants, it is possible to increase the internet speed by 36%. Company expert Peter Ames says, “We were surprised to see that simply placing the router away from plants can make such a big difference. Therefore, place the router in a place where its signal is minimally obstructed by plants, walls or metal objects.” This means that if you place your router behind a pot or plant for decoration, it may affect your internet speed.
If the internet speed in your home is continuously low, then some simple solutions can help you –
1. Choose the correct position of the router: Always keep the router in the middle of the room and at a height. This helps to spread the signal evenly in all directions.
2. Use a mesh network or Wi-Fi extender: These devices help in amplifying the signal and taking it to the corners of the house.
3. Use Ethernet Cable: A wired connection is much more stable and faster than Wi-Fi.
4. Use Powerline Network Kit: This technology uses your home’s electrical wiring to transmit Internet signals to different rooms.
5. Update the Router: Older routers work at limited speeds. Therefore, it is wise to get a router with new and better technology from time to time.
The greenery of your home is soothing to your eyes, but it can be a bit of a challenge for your internet speed. So, love your plants, but keep the router at a distance from them.
With the correct position of the router, less interference and smart network setup, you can increase the performance of your internet manifold.
Overall, with a little wisdom and proper placement, you can make your home internet fast, reliable and uninterrupted.
