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The British must prepare for it plunge into a four-day heatwave with temperatures hovering above 30ºC. With Wednesday rising this week, the Met Office has issued a heat health alert from today (June 24). The yellow warning – in place for every region in England, bar one – started at 8am and lasts until Thursday afternoon.
And now experts have warned of another side effect of rising temperatures across the UK – broadband cuts. Telecom expert Simrat Sharma told GB News that higher temperatures can have a detrimental effect on home appliances, such as your Wi-Fi router.
If your Wi-Fi router overheats and goes offline, you will lose internet access on all your devices. Whether you work or study from home, stream music, listen to internet radio or watch TV via Sky Stream or a streaming service like Netflix, Disney+OR Prime Video — Losing Wi-Fi and wired broadband connections can be a massive inconvenience.
Temperatures look set to rise in the coming days, rising close to 30ºC in many parts of the UK
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Those who have been switched from a traditional landline to a Digital Voice handset will also lose the ability to make or receive landline calls. Critique personal alarms may also be affected.
Ms Sharma, who works for broadband comparison service uSwitch, has warned to be wary of overheating devices whenever temperatures climb to around 30ºC. And those with a busy family or with many Internet-connected devices should be especially careful.
“The more devices connected to your router, the harder it has to work to keep them all online, which makes it more likely to slow down or shut down,” Ms Sharma told GB News .
The telecoms expert has three easy-to-follow tips to help avoid broadband outages due to Wi-Fi routers overheating – or any of your other devices being damaged during a heatwave of summer.
- Beware of hotspots | Place your router in the coolest room in your home, away from direct sunlight. Typically, a central location in the home works best for a good Wi-Fi connection everywhere AND a cooler environment to operate. Keep your router away from the sun, such as a window
- Provide adequate ventilation| Wi-Fi routers need airflow to avoid overheating. Place your router on a stable, level surface – preferably one that stays cool. This ensures proper ventilation around the device, especially underneath it. Never place the Wi-Fi router on a carpet that may block airflow
- Work outside | If you’re lucky enough to be able to work from your garden, it’s important to keep your tech devices out of direct sunlight where they can overheat. Don’t be tempted to place your router outside in the sunlight – instead, consider a Wi-Fi extender if necessary
Although it may seem like a good idea, experts warn against turning off your Wi-Fi router, especially at night. That’s because broadband companies typically release critical security and performance updates overnight, as it’s the least disruptive time to make fixes.
If your Wi-Fi router is not connected to the Internet, you may miss these important firmware updates. That said, a simple reboot — also known as a power cycle — can occasionally improve your Wi-Fi router’s performance as it allows the components a chance to reset.
Of course, the heat wave promises to affect more than only your Wi-Fi router. Ms. Sharma has some expert advice for those who worry about their smartphone during high temperatures.
- Note the heat strain | Most phones are designed to work up to 35ºC and can keep themselves cool. However, direct sunlight puts extra strain on your device, so be careful to keep your phone out of direct sunlight
- Give your phone a break | If you feel your phone starting to get really warm, start by giving it a helping hand and closing unused apps or features like Bluetooth connectivity and App Refresh. All of your phone’s features require the processor to generate heat, so shutting them down can add
- Avoid a cold reception | A drawer or glove compartment is usually the best place to keep your device cool. never put the phone in the fridge or freezer as a way to lower the temperature
- Check your charger | Unofficial chargers, especially cheaper replacements, can often overcharge a smartphone while charging, which can become more of an issue when your phone is already struggling with heat.
Simrat Sharma warns: “We’re all happy to finally see summer arrive in the UK, but of course, your technology may not always feel the same and there’s a real risk that your mobile phone or router will suffer long-term damage.
“Cell phones and routers have built-in devices to help keep them quiet, but there are things you can do to help. As a general rule, direct sunlight can often have a detrimental effect on your technology.
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“Electronic devices all rely on ventilation to keep cool. This means they need space around them to release the hot air caused by all the processing they have to do. If your router is surrounded by many other objects, it can’t work properly, and it can overheat For your mobile phone, a case can have the same effect.
“The more devices connected to your router, the harder it has to work to keep them all online, which makes it more likely to slow down or shut down. The same goes for the your mobile – if there are many applications running this will force the processor to work harder and generate more heat.
“If your phone has overheated – you should never put it in the refrigerator or freezer to cool down, as rapid temperature changes can do more harm than good. Instead, turn off the power and let it cool down in a well-ventilated area from the sun”.