Is your Wi-Fi slow? These three household items could be sabotaging your connection without you even knowing it.

Why does it seem like your Wi-Fi always fails when you need it most? Right in the middle of an important video call, streaming a movie, or playing an online game, your connection becomes unstable, slow, and almost useless. In many cases, the culprit isn't your internet provider or a technical issue. Sometimes, it's your own home that sabotages your signal.

We live surrounded by technology, but also by invisible interference. And although few people know it, some seemingly harmless objects can block or weaken Wi-Fi waves. The good news is that you don't need to be an expert to improve your connection: you just need to know what to avoid and where to place your router.

Not all electrical devices affect wireless signals, but some generate very strong interference by sharing frequencies or emitting similar waves. These are three of the most common:

• Microwave : Although it may seem strange, the microwave oven is one of the worst neighbors for a router. This is because many router models operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency, the same frequency microwaves use to heat food. When the microwave is in use, it can severely disrupt the signal quality, causing dropouts or speeds.
• Older cordless phones : Especially those that also operate on the 2.4 GHz band, which are very common in models from before the last decade. These devices not only interfere while in use, but also during standby, as their base constantly emits a signal.
• Baby monitors : Many models use radio frequency or even Wi-Fi to transmit sound or video, which creates an interference field if placed near the router. Although their power is limited, having them within a meter of the router is enough to notice network problems.

These three examples illustrate how daily use of technology can become a hindrance when its use in the home is not well planned.

The router's position doesn't just affect a room's aesthetics. It can also mean the difference between a smooth connection and constant digital frustration.

Ideally, you should place the router in a central area of ​​the home , allowing the signal to be distributed more evenly in all directions. It's also advisable to place it in a high location—a tall shelf or piece of furniture—since the waves propagate downward more effectively than upward.

Also, avoid tight corners , metal furniture, mirrors, or thick walls. These elements block or weaken the propagation of waves. If the router is hidden behind a television, under a table, or inside a closet, its performance will decrease significantly.

It's not about turning your router into an ornament, but rather giving it the strategic location it needs to function as the digital brain of your home.

There are several simple actions that can make a big difference in the quality of your Wi-Fi signal. Some require changing habits, others simply technical adjustments on the router itself.

• Update the firmware : Many routers receive periodic updates that fix security flaws and optimize performance. Accessing your router's settings and applying these updates can be a simple and effective solution.

• Choosing the right channel : In urban areas, where there are many overlapping Wi-Fi networks, broadcast channels can become congested. Accessing the settings panel and switching to a less congested channel is a measure that often goes unnoticed, but it significantly improves stability.

• Use the 5 GHz band : This frequency, available on most modern routers, allows for a faster, less-interfering connection, albeit with a shorter range. This is especially useful in small spaces or when devices are close to the router.

Small adjustments like these can prevent unnecessary spending on additional accessories.

Finally, if you're experiencing constant dropouts, speeds significantly lower than your contracted speed, or connection issues with multiple devices, it may be time to invest in a new model. Today's routers offer dual band, greater coverage, and intelligent systems that automatically prioritize devices that require the most bandwidth.

In addition, there are solutions such as mesh network systems, which allow coverage to be extended evenly throughout the home without relying on traditional repeaters.