Virgin Media issues warning to millions who break 'golden rule' of good Wi-Fi

A top UK broadband firm has reminded people not to break the 'golden rule' of maintaining a good Wi-Fi connection.

Research by Virgin Media O2 has revealed nearly 1 in 5 (18%) broadband users in the UK make a major error by switching their router off overnight. While this might be a simple end-of-evening habit for some unwitting homeowners, this can in fact hamper their broadband experience, as it prevents any overnight software updates for routers that happen overnight. This can lead to broadband lags the next day.

Repeatedly turning your router off and on can also have some other undesired impacts on your broadband, as it is a sign of connection instability. This may inadvertently be flagged up to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) as a line fault, who may in turn slow your connection speed down as they investigate the 'problem'.

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How to get the most out of your broadband connection

Virgin Media O2’s Director of Connectivity, Gareth Lister, recently provided some tips to help broadband users get the most from their services and how low-income households can save on their bills. He said:

Don’t switch your Hub off overnight.

Give your Hub space, make sure it’s out in the open.

Check your speeds via the Connect App.

What about re-starting my router?

You should try to keep your Wi-Fi router switched on as much you can - but if you're experiencing internet problems, turning it off and back on can help reset the connection and get you back online. In fact, Virgin says It's the first thing they ask people to do when calling for advice. “Sometimes a reboot can help solve a number of hub connection issues. It's also the first thing we would ask you to do if you called us for help,” Virgin confirmed.

The power button can be found on the back of your router. Once you've switched it off, wait at least a minute before turning it back on. It can take around five minutes to perform the full reboot however, so make sure nobody is using the Wi-Fi for something that needs a constant connection, such as a video meeting. Make your router is away from any large obstacles and isn't stored away in a cupboard, as this can block the signal.