We’ve all been there. Whether you’re trying to stream the big match or simply need a stable broadband connection for that important work call, the Wi-Fi always tends to go down at the worst possible time.
That’s why it’s always worth paying attention to advice on how to improve home broadband speeds, coverage or consistency, but there’s one Wi-Fi tip that’s gone viral recently that you might want to ignore.
At the time of writing, the below post on X has amassed more than 59 million views. It suggests putting several sheets of folded and shaped kitchen tin foil around the back of your router will somehow help to beam Wi-Fi around your house more efficiently.
The somewhat funny image calls to mind a satellite dish, which reflects and directs signals with its curved design. The idea is that the metallic properties of the foil serve to beam concentrated Wi-Fi signals around the room and the rest of your home rather than having shoot off into corners of the property where there isn’t a device desperately trying to get online.
But this much-vaunted internet theory has been brought into question.
“The tinfoil hack could make a tiny difference, as it will cause the Wi-Fi radio waves to be more narrowly focused,” said Richard Dowden, Uswitch broadband expert. “However, the downside is that the tinfoil may block the Wi-Fi from going behind it, causing more problems.
The router in the viral image has many protruding antennae that can be repositioned, but the majority of standard-issue Wi-Fi modems in the UK are closed boxes with specially designed internal antennae. If you put foil behind the router, you could be blocking more signal than you realise.
“If you’re concerned about Wi-Fi strength, try repositioning your router and running a speed test in different areas of your home to find the optimal spot,” Dowden said.
“For the best broadband performance, place your router in a central location, elevated off the ground, and on a flat, open surface. Avoid hiding it in enclosed spaces like cupboards or placing it near large obstructions like TVs or bookshelves.”
It might sound like obvious advice to not put your router in a cupboard, given that will block the signal significantly, but the advice here is that may also happen with the tin foil trick. It’s all in the positioning, though that also depends on where in your home the fibre port is that the router needs to be connected to.
“If your connection is still lagging, consider investing in a Wi-Fi booster or extender – it’s a far more reliable solution than tinfoil, which is best left in the kitchen!
“However, if you’re finding your broadband continues to have frequent interruptions, it might be time to consider switching providers to find the one best suited to your needs.”
Wi-Fi boosters and extenders are gadgets that do what they say, and can improve connectivity in large properties or in homes with particularly thick walls and doors, which can also affect signals.
Wi-Fi extenders work by plugging in a receiver unit into a plug socket in your home and have it receive a signal from your router and then broadcast it, effectively creating a new router point that improves overall coverage.