When your Wi-Fi wobbles: Pixelation and disconnection

Home office conference calls, high-scoring gaming sessions, and online purchases from online shops – a fast and reliable online connection has long been a matter of course and a necessity in our everyday lives. Nowadays, we primarily surf the vastness of the Internet wirelessly. Most of us, no doubt, are very familiar with the moments when things aren't going quite as they should. These are the moments when the connection drops, downloads lag into eternity, the smart TV crumbles into pixelation, and the colleagues freeze up during video conferencing. When Wi-Fi problems arise, they are often due to sources of interference that are as inconspicuous as they are avoidable. We provide an overview of the Wi-Fi disruptors lurking in most every home, and what to do to create a stable home network.

Sources of Wi-Fi interference in residential homes

Wi-Fi networks run into numerous obstacles within our homes. Some of them seem harmless and are inconspicuous at first glance.

Thick walls and ceilings: Materials like concrete, brick and steel beams can completely block Wi-Fi signals in extreme cases, but will at minimum weaken the transmission and reduce the range. Things get even worse if the router is located in a basement, for example, requiring the Wi-Fi to cross several walls or floors to reach its target devices.

Metal objects: Large metal objects such as cabinets, shelves, radiators and even mirrors can reflect Wi-Fi signals. When the wireless waves bounce off these surfaces, the connection becomes less stable. This effect becomes particularly evident when the router is located close to these objects, which prevent the radio signal from being distributed evenly. Though it might be a better look, you should never hide the router in a cabinet – and especially not one made of metal!

Water: Water absorbs radio waves. Aquariums, flower pots, waterbeds and the plumbing weaken the Wi-Fi signal, for example. Underfloor heating systems can cause particularly strong interference.

Electronic devices: Many household appliances emit electromagnetic waves that can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal's frequencies. Microwaves are a notorious example, while baby monitors, wireless speakers and older Bluetooth devices may also cause interference, resulting in dropped connections and slow transmission rates. An often overlooked source of interference are cordless phones, which are placed right next to the router in many households.

The neighbour’s Wi-Fi: In densely populated residential areas, many Wi-Fi networks transmit over the same channels. The 2.4 GHz band, in particular, is used by most routers, and there are often so many simultaneously active signals that interference is inevitable. This reduces the connection quality, especially at peak times such as the evening hours. Modern routers that support the 5 GHz frequency band improve stability.

Relocating your router: small move, big result

When data flow starts to falter on your home Wi-Fi network, the first thing to do is check the router's location. Whether in a flat or a house, the router should be placed as centrally as possible, at a height of about one metre, free from obstacles and clear of large items of furniture. This minimises the risk of interference and ensures that the signal can be distributed as effectively as possible.

Extending your Wi-Fi network with a repeater and Powerline

Even a router in a perfect location will eventually run out of steam, however. This is especially true if the living space is very large or if the router has to supply several end devices simultaneously. In that case, some technical tools will get the data flowing again.

Wi-Fi repeaters are best suited for medium distances and can improve Wi-Fi coverage on a single storey. Here, too, location is key. As a general guideline, repeaters should be installed halfway between the router and the destination devices.

Powerline adapters are ideal for bridging large distances and connecting multiple storeys. Powerline technology uses the home's electrical wiring like a data cable and, as such, is not compromised by ceilings and walls. Powerline adapters can generally turn any power outlet into a network jack or a Wi-Fi access point.

A better home network with devolo

The German home networking experts at devolo offer both product categories. The devolo Magic product range includes Powerline adapters with Ethernet and Wi-Fi functions that have won multiple international awards. And Wi-Fi repeaters are also part of devolo's product portfolio. All current devolo Wi-Fi products can be managed with ease using the free Home Network app.