With schools confirmed to stay shut until March, many UK families will have to continue juggling home-schooling and working from home. Based on UK parents’ survey results, network provider. Here are some tips for all those struggling with home broadband.
Many families across the UK are still trying to negotiate a ‘new-normal’, which for many means juggling home-schooling, working from home, and keeping the family entertained.
In a recent survey, almost four in five (79%) full-time or part-time working parents have had to adapt their working hours around home-schooling schedules. According to the study, 35 per cent of home-schooling families are suffering from broadband problems. Parents have identified slow speed poor connection and the internet crashing as the three main issues with their Wi-Fi while home-schooling.
Whether it is for home-schooling, online courses or working, an increase in the number of devices connected to your home broadband is inevitable. So, here are some tips you can follow to ensure your broadband is up for all the Zoom classes, virtual lectures, and team meetings.
Five quick fixes for router problems:
- Reboot your router – The classic ‘unplug it, leave it 30 seconds and plug it back in’.
- Location, location, location – If your router is located further away, try moving it to the room you’re most active in or at the centre of your home.
- Disconnect unnecessary devices – Turn the Wi-Fi off on gadgets you are not using. They may be using bandwidth in the background.
- Run a speed test – This will determine whether your router is running at the speeds you signed up for.
- Purchase a Wi-Fi extender or ‘booster’ – this will optimise your broadband for faster and stronger connections.
Nick Baker, a broadband expert at Uswitch, offers advice on the most common Wi-Fi woes at home and how to fix them.
Why is my internet so slow?
Suppose you’re suffering from painfully slow internet speeds. In that case, it could be down to a change in your household usage habits – like a new online home-schooling routine or working from home.
Slow internet can lead to poor video connection, which is not ideal when children lose out on crucial online learning or tutoring. Try streamlining your computer by shutting down or removing unnecessary programs and applications that you are not actively using but maybe eating into your broadband connection.
How do I know what internet speeds I currently have?
Over the last year, households have had to adjust, adapt, change their everyday routines. You rely on your broadband to the standard norm in makeshift classrooms and home offices. Basic broadband speeds may struggle to keep up, especially with multiple people depending on the same router for a day’s work.
If you feel that your internet is not living up to expectation, run a speed test. You will be able to see whether your broadband is running at the pace it should be. If it is not, try resetting your router. If that does not work, have a chat with your provider to see if anything is slowing your connection down.
Why does my Wi-Fi drop connection? 
If there are certain areas of your home that you find your signal is weaker, it may be due to an item blocking the connection. Large objects, furniture or electronic devices such as gaming consoles, lamps, speakers, TVs and monitors can obstruct a connection. So it’s best to store your router off the ground and away from these items.
Always plug your router into a master socket, not an extension lead. Steer clear from putting your router behind the sofa or a door too – although it may look neater, it could impact your connection.
Why am I fighting the family for Wi-Fi?
It’s been a while since the days of dial-up internet when you had the option of using only the internet or your home phone at one time. Yet so many households are at war over Wi-Fi.
UK families have a growing collection of internet guzzling gadgets – many of which tend to be always connected to Wi-Fi. Both national lockdown and tiered restrictions have pushed us to depend on our internet connection for longer durations of the day, with more devices than usual.
Many families will have gaming consoles which can be a major culprit in the hunt for who’s hogging the internet. If no one uses the console, disconnect it or any other internet-dependent devices that do not need to be connected to Wi-Fi at that time.
Even if a tablet has been ‘put away’ during school hours, it may be using the internet as part of its’ background refreshing’ process. Disconnect the device or put it on Airplane Mode before putting it away.
Still, struggling?
If you have a larger home or many rooms that your broadband needs to reach, try purchasing a Wi-Fi extender or ‘booster’. They are relatively inexpensive and may be the solution for your internet woes. If that is not an option, it may be time to speak to your provider or switch to a faster broadband deal.
